KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU) today hosted Samvel Harutyunyan, Chairman of the State Committee of Science of the RA Ministry of Education and Science, who presented the University’s teaching staff the problems and challenges of the education sector, as well as the activities of the Committee he heads.

ASPU Rector Ruben Mirzakhanyan hailed the Committee’s activity and said it also financed the opening of the Laboratory of New Materials in Quantum Electronics and Integrated Optics and the Centre for Educational Research in Chess at the University.

“Each progressive educational institution aims to become a research centre. Science progresses and enters universities in all countries that register serious success and achievements in the development of science,” Mr Mirzakhanyan said assuring the attendees that the ASPU aspires to achieve the status. The rector believes that their desire will become a reality in the near future thanks to joint efforts.  

Ruben Mirzakhanyan then conferred a “Pedagogical University” medal on Samvel Harutyunyan. 

In his speech, the guest first dwelt on the problems existing in the field of science, then spoke about the programmes implemented by the Committee in recent years, saying ‘the field is very conservative and results are usually noticeable some time later.’

Samvel Harutyunyan then referred to other major issues, including the strategy of the advancement of science, important documents, priorities and targets of research. He also expressed hope that by 2020 Armenia will become a country that has achieved sustainable success in scientific research.

“Although the Committee’s budget is increasing year by year, it is not enough. We apply for grants knowing that correct distribution of small budgets will enable us to solve the major problems in the sphere,” Mr Harutyunyan said, attaching particular importance to data processing and data management system which enables everyone to be fully informed about the academic activities of each scientist.

He also presented [the University’s teaching staff] the peer review panel of the Committee which includes noted scientists from Armenia and other countries. 

“Analyses show that science is aging. Therefore, individual and group projects are organized for the youth that activate them,” Mr Harutyunyan said. Speaking about the Committee’s international cooperation, he said ‘science is an open system, and they need to expand the scope of cooperation.’

Samvel Harutyunyan then spoke about the scientific achievements of the Pedagogical University, stressing that the University has seen a steady increase in research in the past 3-4 years.