YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 28, NOYAN TAPAN. Los Angeles-based Arpa Institute Foundation (www.arpainstitute.org) has announced an Innovation Contest for students of Armenian universities with the aim of encouraging applied scientific developments of students, NT correspondent was informed by Hakob Panosian, the foundation's chairman. According to him, innovation programs developed with the participation of scientific advisors may also be presented for the contest. Students have to prove that their developments represent an innovation. H. Panosian said that Arpa Institute will assist those to present developments with commercialization prospects with patenting of their innovation and organizing the commercialization work. The bids will be discussed by a special commission set up by Arpa Institute's board. The deadline for submitting bids for participation in the contest is December 15. The first prize winner will receive 2,000 dollars, the second prize - 1,000 dollars, the third prize - 600 dollars, and the fourth prize - 400 dollars. Arpa Institute Foundation was established in 1992 with the aim of providing assistance to Armenia. It cooperates with the RA government, the National Academy of Sciences and universities. A forum on energy problems with the participation of 28 scientists from various countries was held in Yerevan this year: its participants considered it expedient to relaunch the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant. The foundation has also provided advisory and research assistance to various Armenian ministries. Arpa Institute helped with the foundation of Blood Transfusion and Research Center at Yerevan's Erebuni Hospital. A similar center opened in Gyumri a year ago. The foundation also assisted with organization of Healthy Lifestyle courses at 61 Armenian and 21 Karabakh schools and publication of a textbook on this subject. The foundation's chairman noted that it is the second year that the RA ministry of education and science has undertaken the development of the respective educational program, and the subject "Healthy Lifestyle" will be taught at all Armenian schools. In addition, Arpa Institute supports the State Engineering University of Armenia with organization of environmental protection courses. The foundation envisages to hold a conference on domestic and construction waste processing in Yerevan in the spring of 2008. The foundation has a 15-member board which is changed every three years. It has members specialized in various fields. 100-200 volunteers of various specialities cooperate with Arpa Institute.

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