ArmInfo. The number of investment projects implemented in 2016 and planned for 2017 in the field of education and science, is 44. According to Levon Mkrtchyan, the Minister of Science and Education, during his meeting with journalists, the largest volume of financing is allocated for the loan project on Education Improvement, which cost is estimated at USD 37,5 mln ( USD 30 mln is the WB share, and USD 7,5 mln is the Government's share).
The project of Inclusive Education Capacity Improvement in Armenia, with its cost at USD 285 thousand, is planned to implement within the support of USAID. The Ministry of Education and Science states also the importance of Sustainable School Food Project, which cost at the moment of its start formed USD 28 mln. The Project started in 2010 within joint efforts of Armenian Government and World Food program of UN.
For the construction of Ayb school in 2016-2017 it is planned to allocate USD 3,4 mln, and and amount of USD 1,3 mln will be aimed at students participation in international contests. According to the Minister, one of the best projects is the construction of Chinese school. The Project is implemented within the participation of Chinese Government and co-financing of the Government of Armenia ( the Chinese share of investments will form USD 10 mln 552 thsnd, and Armenian - 2 mln 474 thsnd). An amount of USD 1, 7 mln has been allocated for the construction of Smart centers in Vanadzor during 2016, and in 2017 the investments will form USD 2, 8 mln. Investment projects are being implemented also at Armenian Universities. In 2017, through implementation of grant based projects, and amount of USD 4,4 mln will be invested in the Universities of the country. At the same time, according to the Minister, one of the largest programs is the student campus construction project with its cost at USD 999 thsnd, implemented within the funding of USAID/ASHA.
Folowing Levon Mkrtchyan, there is a lot to do in respect to the scientific sector improvement also. The Minister stated that there are serious problems existing in this sphere, and that Armenian scientists should be prepared so that they could transform scientific product into a business idea.
In common, according to levon Mkrtchyan, in 2016 10 investment projects have been implemented in the scientific sector in 2016. At the same time, as Minister mentione, a large investment project of Candle, which was funded with AMD 237 mln by the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) of Switzerland , and AMD 9,5 mln by German partners, expects additional AMD 180 mln investment from Germany in 2017.