Armenian Scientists Top World Rankings Despite Difficulties

ARMENIAN SCIENTISTS TOP WORLD RANKINGS DESPITE DIFFICULTIES

15:40 14.08.13

Despite the low number of scientists in Armenia and the extremely
big difficulties in the sector, the Armenian scientists turn out to
be world leaders today, Arthur Ishkhanyan, a corresponding member of
the National Academy of Sciences, told reporters on Wednesday.

“We inherited an enormous scientific economy in the Soviet years,
and were, in fact, the first in the world both with the number of
scientists and the structure, as well as the institutions and funding,”
he said.

Ishkhanyan said there are significantly less scientists in Armenia
today compared to the Soviet period when their number reached almost
30,000. He noted further that despite the decreasing figures, the
Armenian authorities keep linking the country’s future with science.

But the researcher also spoke of positive factors. “The
Armenian scientists rank the first in the world in terms of their
effectiveness. This is surprising, but has been documented in many
reports reflecting the findings of UNESCO and the CIS academies.

That’s an incredible paradox,” he said.

Ishkanyan added that Armenia now prepares high-level researchers who
easily pave their way to internationally acclaimed universities.

He further hailed the youth scientists’ assistance program proposed
by the Armenian government. “The 300 million Drams [$736,813.36] is
of course commendable, but it is necessary to always have in mind that
[the sum] is very insignificant per one scientist,” he added.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress