Expert: Young scientists do not see opportunities in Armenia to  realize their potential

ArmInfo. Armenia has high human potential in the context of scientific thought, but in recent  years it has not made a big impact on the field, which certainly affects the deterioration of the condition of scientists, both materially and mentally. A similar opinion was expressed by Irina Dumanyan, General Director of the Armenian branch of Siemens, during a panel discussion on the topic "Strengthening Science: The Bridge  between Science and Business" at the "Days of Science and Business 2023" conference on December 1.

In this regard, she also noted that due to the current situation, the  interest of young people in science is very low, which is very bad.  Dumanyan noted that most of the young scientists who were involved in  the company's research work did not see the potential in our country  to implement their knowledge and research. According to her, the  latter were leaving for abroad. The expert noted that there was a  period of outflow of the scientific contingent, and today the state  needs to do everything possible to return them to Armenia.

She also mentioned the fact that there is no information base where  business representatives could see the scientific potential of  Armenia by specialization or type of activity as a factor hindering  the strengthening of the connection between science and business in  our country. "It is difficult for a business to understand where  there is potential, to understand where to go, who to contact in  order to implement their projects. We have been cooperating with  American University, Slavic University, Academy of Sciences for 10  years, we are renewing cooperation with Yerevan State University.  With the involvement of engineers, professors, and, importantly,  students, we solve the tasks set for ourselves, paying for the work  of the involved specialists, which is the motivation for further  cooperation with them," said the head of the company.  She noted that  there is a need for a unified database, which will not be limited to  one or two institutes, so that every company that plans to conduct  research can have access to such a database in order to find an  appropriate specialist. "Such information should be systematized,"  Dumanyan said.

At the same time, the expert complained about the shortage of  personnel, which is especially noticeable when working with  universities, to which the company provides the necessary tools to  obtain effective results of their research. "Laboratories are opened,  offices are renovated, but then hope is placed again on business -  that we must continue to facilitate the continuation of activities,  but we do not have such a resource. And such work must be  long-lasting. That is, there is a shortage of personnel at  universities," she noted. 

The Days of Science and Business 2023 are held in Armenia on December  1-2 on the initiative of the Minister of Economy of Armenia Vahan  Kerobyan. The special guest of the event was an American essayist of  Lebanese origin, economist, futurist and risk manager, Ph.D., author  of the philosophical and economic bestsellers "Black Swan" and  "Antifragile" Nassim Nicholas Taleb.

This year's conference brought together innovative business  representatives, academics and public sector representatives on one  platform, who, as part of the event, intend to identify opportunities  for commercializing science, strengthening connections and  interaction between science and business, and stimulating  international cooperation for the benefit of further progress of the  Armenian economy.  "Days of Science and Business" was held for the  first time in 2022. The event was attended by more than 1000  participants, including Nobel Prize winner - American molecular  biologist and neuroscientist of Armenian origin Ardem Pataputyan,  famous astrophysicist Garik Israelyan, New York University professor  Georgy Derlugyan and others.

According to the draft budget, in 2024, the state will allocate about  32.5 billion drams for the development of science, which is 8% higher  than a year ago.