In the past three weeks there has been an eruption of news concerning education and science in Armenia. We will gradually cover all of them on this blog. To begin with, I am reproducing here the speech given by Prime Minister Mr. Tigran Sargsian on 23 April 2010 at the annual general assembly of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia (NAS).
The English version of the speech was published on the Armenian government’s official website. I had to edit the text based on the original version that Mr. Sargsian had published on his personal blog.
“Your Holiness, Dear Participants,
Many queries were voiced [at the general assembly] that I, on behalf of the Government, will try to answer. First of all, however, I would like to thank the President of the NAS for his continued consideration of the Government’s policy principles and priorities for the development of science, that constitute the basis for our socio-economic development program.
The primary goal of any government is to build a competitive economy. In the contemporary world, competitive economy means a knowledge-driven economy. It is impossible to create a knowledge-driven economy without a society based on knowledge.
This is our vision of Armenia’s prospective and long-term development. Moreover, we have no other option than developing science and knowledge, and a knowledge-driven economy. All we have to do is to define (identify) the ways leading to such an objective.
Here, I wish to state the first thesis of my speech. The time has passed when the NAS used to raise questions. The time has come for the NAS to answer questions because the Academy aggregates our [country’s] intellectual potential. The time has come to mobilize all these intellectual potential to respond to our contemporary issues.
Moreover, you should offer these responses (solutions) to the government and we in turn must be guided by them. You will have to present us answers to the following queries: What are the challenges facing Armenia? What is our primary agenda? What are the priority issues? What are the solutions to these issues?
You should not expect the government to identify the solutions to these issues. On the contrary, you should have the courage to present openly your solutions to the public. Thereby, the moral issue will be tackled, and our society will assess scientists at their true value.
Today, we are facing a moral crisis. We must raise the status of [our] scientists. In the contemporary Armenia the scientist is not considered a hero. On the contrary, the scientist is often subjected to ridicule. Scientific activity no longer offers any [career] prospects, is not anymore beneficial, and this is a serious problem.
The answer (solution) is very clear. If you want people to get involved in science, you must raise salaries and increase funding. There is, however, the inverse argument; if you wish to have money and funding, you have to produce output that we can sell and raise your remuneration.
In the contemporary world, science is a tool to transform money into knowledge. In the cotemporary world, innovation is a mean to turn new knowledge into money. There is a serious problem in Armenia in this respect as these two cycles are disconnected.
The second thesis of my speech concerns the proposed ways of filling up this gap. Based on modern methods, together, we must be able to measure the outcomes of our scientific resources. But we never do this. We can no longer limit ourselves to publications and statements. We must see how scientific outcome is measured in the developed countries. We (the government) have carried out a study to that effect.
While publishing in primary reviews is surely important, it is also important to create an environment that ensures the link between science and industry. We have not yet created such an environment in Armenia, and we must do it. It is extremely important that economic agents (businesses) strive to make money by applying innovation and that scientists are ready to provide businesses with the output of their scientific work.
An extremely important thesis (viewpoint) was presented [at the general assembly]: We cannot rely only on [state] financing [of science]. And the second important thesis was that we should attract funding from abroad. Here, the question arises as to how such amounts are generated abroad and why they cannot be generated in Armenia.
In foreign countries, these amounts are generated within the economy, and the demand placed upon science comes from the contemporary economy. If you are familiar with the organization of modern scientific centers, you will see (know) that venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and business managers are in constant search for new knowledge, are enthusiastic about the world of science, and their enthusiasm is extremely strong. We must create such an environment in Armenia. There are financial resources in Armenia too that can favor the development of science.
The third thesis [of my speech] is that we have inherited a bad legacy from the Soviet-era science; that is we fail to conclude the outcomes of scientific research in a market form.
Together, we examined 28 projects that the government had asked our research institutes to devise. We considered 20 out of the 28 inapplicable. We took the remaining 8 for further assessment. Four of these were considered fit for business evaluation, but in the end all 4 projects were estimated as too risky.
Dear Colleagues,
We are facing a serious problem in this field and we need to tackle it through our joint efforts. Neither the NAS nor the Government can address it on its own. Our collaboration and use of modern methods are needed to this end. Today’s world experience suggests how we should develop science: By ensuring this common link.
The fourth thesis that I would like to present to you is as follows: We have spent considerable time discussing what our priorities in the field of science should be. What the principle directions [of scientific research] where we may produce world-level outcomes are.
I must assure you that this was an extremely important exercise as in order to develop science in Armenia and to improve the moral and psychological context, we strongly need successful projects and success stories. Several such initiatives have been endorsed by the government, and we are trying to implement them. But it is up to the NAS to take the lead in this area.
Dear Colleagues,
I would like to assure you that the policy principles for the development of science that we presented to you at 2009 [NAS] general assembly are still standing. We see no alternative to the strengthening of our intellectual potential, and we would be glad if the National Academy of Sciences could mobilize this potential, set forth ambitious goals, and propose appropriate solutions.
The National Assembly is set to examine the new draft Law [on Science]. I think we can expect an interesting debate. The debate, we can say, already started today when it was proposed that appropriate procedures be added to the Law. We are open to your suggestions. Financing procedures were said to be contemporary. The question is how to encourage people, particularly the youth, to embark on [careers in] science.
We hope that during this examination [at the National Assembly], you will come up with proposals and recommendations. I promise you that the government will fully consider all your proposals. We will do our best to find solutions that will also be acceptable to you.
Dear Colleagues,
In conclusion, I wish to note that only through our close collaboration we will be able to change the public opinion on science and scientists in Armenia. Together, we can reach to a state where there is a consensus [on the role of science in the society].
For already several weeks I have organized a discussion on my personal blog concerning the prospects and policy priorities for the development of science. There are very different opinions and contradicting views. Sometimes intolerance of opposing views manifests itself, extreme opinions are expressed, and I get the impression that there is a lack of consensus in the society on this issue.
I believe that one of the main responsibilities of the NAS is to ensure that the following consensus holds: Science is a priority [for Armenia]. Armenia has no other alternative. The most respectable job in the country should be the scientific work; to be a scientist. This is our objective.
Thank you”.
The English version of the speech was published on the Armenian government’s official website. I had to edit the text based on the original version that Mr. Sargsian had published on his personal blog.
“Your Holiness, Dear Participants,
Many queries were voiced [at the general assembly] that I, on behalf of the Government, will try to answer. First of all, however, I would like to thank the President of the NAS for his continued consideration of the Government’s policy principles and priorities for the development of science, that constitute the basis for our socio-economic development program.
The primary goal of any government is to build a competitive economy. In the contemporary world, competitive economy means a knowledge-driven economy. It is impossible to create a knowledge-driven economy without a society based on knowledge.
This is our vision of Armenia’s prospective and long-term development. Moreover, we have no other option than developing science and knowledge, and a knowledge-driven economy. All we have to do is to define (identify) the ways leading to such an objective.
Here, I wish to state the first thesis of my speech. The time has passed when the NAS used to raise questions. The time has come for the NAS to answer questions because the Academy aggregates our [country’s] intellectual potential. The time has come to mobilize all these intellectual potential to respond to our contemporary issues.
Moreover, you should offer these responses (solutions) to the government and we in turn must be guided by them. You will have to present us answers to the following queries: What are the challenges facing Armenia? What is our primary agenda? What are the priority issues? What are the solutions to these issues?
You should not expect the government to identify the solutions to these issues. On the contrary, you should have the courage to present openly your solutions to the public. Thereby, the moral issue will be tackled, and our society will assess scientists at their true value.
Today, we are facing a moral crisis. We must raise the status of [our] scientists. In the contemporary Armenia the scientist is not considered a hero. On the contrary, the scientist is often subjected to ridicule. Scientific activity no longer offers any [career] prospects, is not anymore beneficial, and this is a serious problem.
The answer (solution) is very clear. If you want people to get involved in science, you must raise salaries and increase funding. There is, however, the inverse argument; if you wish to have money and funding, you have to produce output that we can sell and raise your remuneration.
In the contemporary world, science is a tool to transform money into knowledge. In the cotemporary world, innovation is a mean to turn new knowledge into money. There is a serious problem in Armenia in this respect as these two cycles are disconnected.
The second thesis of my speech concerns the proposed ways of filling up this gap. Based on modern methods, together, we must be able to measure the outcomes of our scientific resources. But we never do this. We can no longer limit ourselves to publications and statements. We must see how scientific outcome is measured in the developed countries. We (the government) have carried out a study to that effect.
While publishing in primary reviews is surely important, it is also important to create an environment that ensures the link between science and industry. We have not yet created such an environment in Armenia, and we must do it. It is extremely important that economic agents (businesses) strive to make money by applying innovation and that scientists are ready to provide businesses with the output of their scientific work.
An extremely important thesis (viewpoint) was presented [at the general assembly]: We cannot rely only on [state] financing [of science]. And the second important thesis was that we should attract funding from abroad. Here, the question arises as to how such amounts are generated abroad and why they cannot be generated in Armenia.
In foreign countries, these amounts are generated within the economy, and the demand placed upon science comes from the contemporary economy. If you are familiar with the organization of modern scientific centers, you will see (know) that venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and business managers are in constant search for new knowledge, are enthusiastic about the world of science, and their enthusiasm is extremely strong. We must create such an environment in Armenia. There are financial resources in Armenia too that can favor the development of science.
The third thesis [of my speech] is that we have inherited a bad legacy from the Soviet-era science; that is we fail to conclude the outcomes of scientific research in a market form.
Together, we examined 28 projects that the government had asked our research institutes to devise. We considered 20 out of the 28 inapplicable. We took the remaining 8 for further assessment. Four of these were considered fit for business evaluation, but in the end all 4 projects were estimated as too risky.
Dear Colleagues,
We are facing a serious problem in this field and we need to tackle it through our joint efforts. Neither the NAS nor the Government can address it on its own. Our collaboration and use of modern methods are needed to this end. Today’s world experience suggests how we should develop science: By ensuring this common link.
The fourth thesis that I would like to present to you is as follows: We have spent considerable time discussing what our priorities in the field of science should be. What the principle directions [of scientific research] where we may produce world-level outcomes are.
I must assure you that this was an extremely important exercise as in order to develop science in Armenia and to improve the moral and psychological context, we strongly need successful projects and success stories. Several such initiatives have been endorsed by the government, and we are trying to implement them. But it is up to the NAS to take the lead in this area.
Dear Colleagues,
I would like to assure you that the policy principles for the development of science that we presented to you at 2009 [NAS] general assembly are still standing. We see no alternative to the strengthening of our intellectual potential, and we would be glad if the National Academy of Sciences could mobilize this potential, set forth ambitious goals, and propose appropriate solutions.
The National Assembly is set to examine the new draft Law [on Science]. I think we can expect an interesting debate. The debate, we can say, already started today when it was proposed that appropriate procedures be added to the Law. We are open to your suggestions. Financing procedures were said to be contemporary. The question is how to encourage people, particularly the youth, to embark on [careers in] science.
We hope that during this examination [at the National Assembly], you will come up with proposals and recommendations. I promise you that the government will fully consider all your proposals. We will do our best to find solutions that will also be acceptable to you.
Dear Colleagues,
In conclusion, I wish to note that only through our close collaboration we will be able to change the public opinion on science and scientists in Armenia. Together, we can reach to a state where there is a consensus [on the role of science in the society].
For already several weeks I have organized a discussion on my personal blog concerning the prospects and policy priorities for the development of science. There are very different opinions and contradicting views. Sometimes intolerance of opposing views manifests itself, extreme opinions are expressed, and I get the impression that there is a lack of consensus in the society on this issue.
I believe that one of the main responsibilities of the NAS is to ensure that the following consensus holds: Science is a priority [for Armenia]. Armenia has no other alternative. The most respectable job in the country should be the scientific work; to be a scientist. This is our objective.
Thank you”.
No comments:
Post a Comment