No state to survive without science, scientist says

Armenians have many times lost their state due to weakness while the power cannot be restored without strengthening the science, correspondent member of the Armenian National Academy of Sciences Arthur Ishkhanyan said today.

He considers the 11 billion 241.7 million drams provided by the state to the sphere not enough.

“The science is declared a priority. Naturally, we understand that the competition of nations in the 21st century and the complicated regional crossroad we are situated on offer such challenges that we cannot confront long as far as we have not developed our scientific potential,” Ishkhanyan said.

According to the scientist, the budget allocations considerably concede the minimal sum necessary for the survival and development of science.

“There is no real economic development or growth in the country. The hope of its growth should be tied with the biggest resource – science. The countries not having many natural resources are applying such experience,” Ishkhanyan said.

The member also expressed concern that the science in Armenia is becoming older. “The science is a torch handed from hand to hand. If we fail to bring young people to the sphere we will lose our sole hope – science. We need to at least double the budget to bring many young people to the sphere,” Ishkhanyan said.