The Academy Supports Armenia-Turkey Normalization Protocols

Radio Free Europe, a U.S. state funded news agency, and Hetq Daily report that the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia has issued a statement in support of the recently signed protocols on normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey.

The Academy discussed the matter at a special meeting of its top decision-making body, the General Assembly, held on 23 September 2009. More than 150 members of the Academy, directors of research institutes affiliated with the Academy, Foreign Minister Mr. Eduard Nalbandian, and Minister of Education and Science Mr. Armen Ashotian attended the meeting.

Journalists were allowed to be present at the opening remarks made by Mr. Radik Martirosian, the President of the Academy. He was reported to claim that public attitudes towards the two draft protocols on the normalization of Armenia’s relations with Turkey have been “mainly positive” despite existing “concerns” about some of their provisions.

In a statement issued on 24 September, the Academy’s press service said the meeting overwhelmingly adopted a resolution welcoming President Sarkisian’s efforts to “settle relations with neighbors.”

The resolution states that the policy of the Armenian government designed to normalize relations with Turkey based on zero preconditions and to free Armenia from the existing Turkish blockade can only strengthen the geographical position of the country. It also supports the belief that the signed protocol document serves as a basis to continue that policy and that it is confident that the government will enter into diplomatic relations with the primary aim of resolving important national issues.

Armenia Develops Its Annual ICT Event, the ‘DigiTec Expo’

The annual DigiTec exhibition will take place in Yerevan, 2-4 October 2009, with a broader scope than in previous years, in terms of types of technology firms that will attend as well as the number of countries that will be represented.

Arka news agency reports that the annual DigiTec Expo is to become a regional event displaying achievements and technological novelties in the ICT field.

The aim of the exhibition is “to establish business atmosphere between best information, telecommunication and high-tech companies and the consumers,” Executive Director of Union of IT companies (UITE) Mr. Karen Vardanian told journalists.

About 50 ICT and high-tech companies, including Ericsson and Sun Microsystems, are to participate in DigiTec 2009. The number of visitors is expected to reach 12,000.

According to Mr. Vardanian, considering that newly created companies have been rather active in the recent times, a “startup forum” is to be held in which a dozen of companies are expected to participate. This forum may even grow into a small venture forum in the scope of the exhibition.

Among other events to be staged are: An e-government forum, seminars on technological novelties, the finalists of 2 out of 4 Armrobotics contests – “line tracking” and “computer simulation.” In addition, interactive long-distance medical services are to be presented together with the Armenian Association of Telemedicine (AATM) for the city of Gyumri.

To favor the presence of ICT firms from Ukraine, Turkey and Georgia, the Competitive Armenian Private Sector (CAPS/USAID) program, a U.S. funded program, seems to be financing their pavilions.

Director of Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF) Mr. Bagrat Yengibarian, has emphasized that DigiTec 2009 will focus not only on company presentations but also on presentations of special state-supported programs. These are programs on formation of the knowledge society, development of e-services, e-governance, implementation of the “computer for everyone” program, and expansion of the Internet coverage in the country.

The primary sponsor of the event, Ucom, is expected to unveil its high-quality IP-based television and telephony services. One of the official sponsors of the exhibition, ADC, will also introduce its new services.

DigiTec 2009 will also feature a “Game Zone” where young people will have the opportunity to try the recent games and compete with each other.

Sevan to be Placed on All Continents

Despite the brain drain of the 1990’s and continued lack of support and funding by the state, Armenian scientists prove to be rather competitive and innovative whenever occasions arise, at least in certain fields of science. This was once again observed recently in Croatia.

NEWS.am reports that Armenia’s Physics Institute has invented a device that measures and examines cosmic particles. The instrument named “Sevan” was recently installed in Zagreb observatory, in Croatia.

“This device is an invention and bares ultimate importance for fundamental science,” Armenia’s Minister of Economy Mr. Nerses Yeritsian was reported to say to NEWS.am in Zagreb.

“This is another proof that Armenian scientists are competitive and that they master up-to-date theory and laboratory work. They can make major contributions to the development of Physics worldwide,” addeded Yeritsyan.

According to him, “Sevan” was installed in Croatia due to its favorable geographic location that provides appropriate conditions to examine the cosmic particles. Croatians were proposed to place the device on their territory first. The second was set in Bulgaria. Negotiations on providing other countries with “Sevan” are in progress. “The instrument should be placed on all continents,” Mr. Yeritsyan assured.

More State Support Needed for Minority Languages in Armenia

According to the Armenian Public Radio, the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers has issued the 2nd report on the situation of minority languages in Armenia. This report has been drawn up by a committee of independent experts that monitors the application of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Armenia is a member of the Council of Europe since January 2001.

On the basis of the report, the Committee of Ministers calls on Armenia to develop a structured policy to make available sufficient teacher training and up-to-date teaching materials in Assyrian, Yezidi and Kurdish at all education levels.

Furthermore, the Armenian authorities should ensure that regional or minority languages can be used in court and that courts and the public are aware of their rights and duties to use these languages.

The Committee of Ministers also expects that Armenia takes measures to improve the presence of Assyrian and Greek on radio, and of Assyrian, Yezidi and Kurdish languages on television.

Finally, the Committee of Ministers recommends that Armenia clarifies whether there are any regional or minority languages other than those mentioned in Armenia’s instrument of ratification.

The Minister Evolved, the Ministry Didn’t

The evolution of Mr. Spartak Seyranian, Armenia’s Minister of Education and Science, June 2008 – May 2009, through pictures:

1. Old happy days:
Prior to his appointment to ministerial position, Mr. Seyranian was the editor-in-chief of Yerkir; an ARF-Dashnak party publication. Photo via Aravot daily.

2. The unease associated with proving oneself credible:
With academic credentials and experiences fit for a school principal, Mr. Seyranian was appointed minister thanks to his party affiliations. Unqualified for the position, Mr. Seyranian – a rather simple, modest and calm person – started his struggle to control the Ministry of Education bureaucracy; one of the country’s most dreadful. Picture via ArmeniaNow.

3. The illusions of power:
After almost a year of ministerial experience, although the academic community continued not to take him seriously, Mr. Seyranian learned to look confident in front of journalists and photographers. This was, unfortunately, the only noticeable change in the country’s education field in the period he was in charge of the Ministry of Education. In picture, via Photolur, Mr. Seyranian few days before leaving office. He had to resign following his party’s departure from the ruling coalition in Armenia.

Turkey to Learn How not to Discriminate

Turkey’s new Minister of National Education Ms. Nimet Çubukçu has issued a circular regarding the anti-discrimination lessons in Turkey’s primary and secondary schools scheduled for the 1st week of the new academic year. In the circular, the Minister has emphasized the responsibility that the state carries in fighting all kinds of discrimination.

The proposed lessons will include topics such as abolishment of discrimination, tolerance, and social and gender equality. In the primary schools (from 1st to 8th grade) class teachers and subject teachers will hold the lessons. In the secondary schools the lessons will be taught by subject teachers, members of the school management and the student advisors.

According to Bia Turkish news agency, when going through the topics in class Ms. Çubukçu wants that the instructors emphasize the connection to daily life.

Additionally, she drew their attention to relevant websites of state institutions that can be used as teaching resources such as the Status of Women General Directorate (KSGM), the Administration Head Office for the Disabled (ÖZİDA), the Social Services and Child Protection Agency (SHÇEK), the Family and Social Research General Directorate, and the Human Rights Presidency (İHB).

In her circular, the Minister also defined discrimination as follows:"Discrimination means treating somebody badly or humiliating a person because of his language, religion, gender, race, political opinions, philosophic beliefs or physical differences.

Focal points of discriminating behavior are othering, exclusion, rejection and humiliation. Discrimination due to social, cultural and economic reasons continues in forms such as gender inequality, discrimination of the disabled, racism or intolerance."

The reasons for the circular were explained by Çubukçu in the following way: "It is one of the state's most important duties to take responsibility. This can be done by organizing the necessary arrangements and by increasing our efforts to let everyone equally benefit from the individual rights and individual freedom that have emerged from today's society.

The existence of individuals not benefiting equally from economic, social and legal opportunities and instead being exposed to discrimination is also one of the most important problems in today's globalized world. In order to minimize problems related to discrimination and in order to live in a world ruled by equality, justice and peace, individuals, institutions, and simply all sectors of society carry an important responsibility."

Moscow School of Management Inaugurated

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev inaugurated the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management on 20 September 2009. Destined to become one of the leading business schools in the world, the new institution is the brainchild of 3 prominent businessmen; Roman Abramovich, Ruben Vardanian, and Mikhail Kusnirovich. Mr. Vardanian is also the President of the new school.

Itar-tass Russian news agency reports that among the guests attending the inauguration ceremony was the former Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, who managed to make his country a leader in economic growth within a record short period of time.

Skolkovo is a joint project of Russian and international business leaders, who pooled their efforts to create a world-class business school in Russia from scratch. About 15 major world companies are among its founders.

The project of the new school was launched in 2006 as one of the two business schools envisaged in Russia’s national education project. The 2nd school is still under construction in St. Petersburg.

“The president considers this event important, because this school must become one of the first MBA schools in the world,” Medvedev’s spokesperson Natalya Timakova told Tass.

The business school claims that its MBA program has no analogues in the world, as its instruction methods rely on real projects – two thirds of the educational process will proceed in the form of consulting projects that students will carry out in real companies instead of the traditional lecture format.

The curriculum will focus on studying business activities in high growth economies such as Russia, India and China. Students will have the possibility to take part in implementation of international consulting projects and to study abroad.

According to Ruben Vardanian, President of Skolkovo, “our aim is to create a new educational centre in Moscow that will train leaders and entrepreneurs for emerging markets and that will be known for its innovative approach to teaching.”