DIRECTOR OF BYURAKAN OBSERVATORY: STATE DOES NOT
GIVE ENOUGH ATTENTION TO SCIENCE IN ARMENIA
28-08-2007 20:00:00 | Armenia | Social
YEREVAN, AUGUST 28, NOYAN TAPAN. The holding of the 15th
European and national astronomical forum in Yerevan bears
evidence that the Armenian astronomy is at a very high level
today, the co-chairman of the Armenian Astronomical Company Areg
Mikaelian stated at the August 28 press conference. According to
him, about 300 astronomers from 37 countries participated in the
forum held on August 20-25. 8 conferences and 6 sittings took
place in parallel with this forum. All important problems of
astrophysics were discussed at the forum "Our Corner Cosmos".
Director of the Byurakan Observatory Hayk Harutyunian said
that Armenia, a country that made a significant contribution to
astronomy, is continuing to be a member of the European
Astronomical Company even though it has not paid its membership
fees amounting to only 2.5 thousand USD annually for 15 years,
whereas Azerbaijan and Georgia were deprived of their membership
right for this reason.
In the words of H. Harutyunian, in Armenia the state does
not give enough attention to culture and science. In his
opinion, there are state establishments and institutions whose
problems should be solved by the state. Whereas, according to H.
Harutyunian, most receiving devices of the Byurakan observatory
have been purchased with the assistance of their foreign
partners. He noted that the Byurakan observatory has the
opportunity and potential for becoming a regional scientific and
educational center.