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REPAINT TODAY IS LIKE BEATING A DEAD HORSE
Harutyun Karapetyan
Chairman of the National Foundation of Science and Advanced Technologies (NFSAT)
Lragir.am
9 Aug 06
As is well known, science is one of the spheres of human
creativeness. That accounts for its nature, which is common to all
mankind, along with such spheres as music, painting, poetry and
suchlike. However, due to a certain peculiarity, science completely
differs from art, which in the long run brings it down to earth from
the heavenly spiritual and moral heights. The peculiarity is that most
often the outcomes of science are eventually materialized and serve
as a basis for technological progress, which, in its turn, directly
tells on economy. Yet, paradoxical as it may be, it is no secret
that most often progress in our civilization took place (and in fact
it still does) by means of a tool for civilization extermination -
weapon. Therefore, on the one hand, science serves to promote human
welfare, on the other hand, it is a powerful tool for destruction of
one's own kind (again, the object-materialized components of science
- the human and antihuman ones). Unfortunately, it is the antihuman
component that prevails in determining the increasing demand for
science. It ibecomes more than apparent in the contemporary politicized
world (capitalism, communism, fascism, cold war, monopole world,
terrorism etc). Naturally, difference in the political regime, the
ambitions and potential of the state and its blocks, will also tell on
different attitudes to science. Hence, the requirements and functions
imposed on science will determine different forms of regulation and
management of this sphere of human creativeness.
We, today's independent Armenia, moreover, today's' science (along
with the general scientific community) are the product of the former
powerful totalitarian system. A system, where the human component
of science was, in fact, reduced to minimum and the management of
science was strictly governmental. After all, the USSR could have
had various "unions" of researchers similar to those of composers
or artists. However, the sphere of science and technology in the
USSR was under much more stringent and varied control than other
spheres of human activity, and all possible social and voluntary
formations of researchers were replaced with a single (actually,
again - governmental) body, which was the USSR Academy of Sciences
(including the Academies of the Soviet republics administered by the
Center). Economically, it may seem strange that the Soviet science
comprised three independent subsystems - academic, industrial and
subsystem of the institutes of higher education. Yet, this fact is also
accounted for by the need of maintaining strict confidentiality for
the objectives of certain investigations. Thus, the Soviet science
(including the "Armenian" component) served the goals and methods
of the management of the Soviet government - a superpower, often
denying the human and sensible aspects, which quite adequately met
the criteria of a close regime, aspiring for world supremacy.
Not to belittle the merit of Soviet science, yet, one cannot but admit
the following indisputable fact: such a form of science management
eventually resulted in an increasing substantial lag of the Soviet
science as compared to the international one, which, in the long run,
had a disastrous impact on the economy of the collapsed superpower.
However, it cant' be argued that today's independent Armenia
inherited quite a considerable scientific potential from the USSR,
and the issues of maintaining and developing this potential are no
longer to be addressed by a former or contemporary superpower but
rather by our young independent state. For Armenia, a country with
scarce natural resources, facing a number of rather complicated
regional problems, "high-level" science can serve as one of the
few factors, owing to which it will still be possible to ensure a
proper prestige of the country in the international community and
occupy a decent niche in the region. Certainly, it is only possible
provided that the governmental and legislative authorities take
adequate steps to address the challenges piled up in the sphere of
science and respective problems they involve, which display dangerous
tendencies. The problems are so obvious and deeply rooted that a delay
may cause destruction of Armenian science, which has still survived -
unfortunately, owing to certain researchers and not the methods of
the state management. Obviously, science and the scientific community
need changes that could already be reflected in the state budget of
the country for 2007.
Here are, I believe, the following main problems of the scientific
community, solutions to which may potentially lead to if not a
revival, but at least to finding a way out of the existing deadlock
(or, rather, a swamp):
1. Science management problem which includes such important
issues as integration of the Armenian scientific community with the
international one, commercialization of scientific results, development
of technological base of science, and, finally, generation change.
2. Funding and mechanisms of science funding.
No doubt, the highest priority issue is the legislation on scientific
activities, which could regulate all problems mentioned above, of
course, provided that the legislation meets the interests of science
and not those of respective departments. In this regard, obviously,
the most rational thing to do would be to terminate the force of the
so called "Law on Science and Scientific-Technological Activities"
adopted in 2000. It is no secret that this act put an end to the
process of the deliberate destruction of progressive reforms, which
were held in the period of 1992-1997 and were highly evaluated- and
in fact, they still are - by independent experts (not to mention the
Armenian researchers). It was absolutely obvious for everyone more or
less involved in science that it was not "science" itself that the law
actually focused on, but rather the status of the National Academy
of Sciences (please, note, that it does not refer to the academic
institutes but the Presidium itself), which enjoyed the rights of a
state authority, performing allocation of the state budget funds of
the tax-payers allotted for science and assuming no responsibility
even before the government of the country.
This accounts for the fact that immediately after the law had passed,
both the government and the initiators of the bill successfully
disregarded the only positive provision of the law stipulating
for 3% of state budget to be allotted for science, which, however,
still remained a dream. This law helped to achieve the main goal -
rejecting the progressive reforms that reflect the further interests
of science. The process of disregarding the reforms was initiated
as early as 1997 by the high-level authorities of the Ministry
of Education and Science, namely, the former Deputy Minister of
Science, and currently, Academician-Secretary of the NAS RA, twice
Dr. of Science, A. Shahinyan - certainly, with approval of the
former Minister of Education and Science, Candidate of Physical and
Mathematical Sciences, A. Petrosyan. It is but natural that it didn't
take long for corruption to develop.
The Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences became a "State in
a state" with evident soviet features, and the state budget funds
were used in the interests of a group of people - members of the
Academy, who could affect (often, purely theoretically) the internal
regulations of the "state". Compare the scholarship received by
post-graduate students for the work they perform with considerable
academic premiums for no work (or, more precisely, for idleness). For
instance, it is of great interest to know the amount of premiums for
the former accomplishments provided to our outstanding composers,
artists etc. The Presidium became a typical soviet phenomenon,
which is even proven by the fact that alternative thinking is still
publicly defamed (obviously implying mental disorders) and after mass
criticism of the existing disadvantages the whole blame is laid on
a single person, which is certainly not fair.
To bring more clarity in the role of the NAS RA Presidium in the
contemporary Armenian science, it is necessary to add the following
example: the administration of Yerevan State University (YSU Rector,
Academician R. Martirosyan) repeatedly stated that 40% of competitive
scientific results of Armenia, which met international standards,
are provided by the YSU. Actually, it is hard to seriously object to
this statement. But on the other hand, given the scientific product
also provided by such major entities as Yerevan Institute of Physics,
Institute of Biotechnology, SEUA, SMUA etc, what else is left for the
academic system comprising 40 entities and Presidium, which openly
and officially condemns the international standard in investigations
of basic sciences. Obviously, that leads to more serious questions,
namely - what is the actual role of Presidium in terms of scientific
product, and what does the academic science basically stand for today?
By the way, the fact that the "science" at the NAS Presidium stands
for something else can be easily proven simply by reviewing the
section of science in the state budget of the country for 2006,
which resembles a mirror of the state policy in the sphere of
science. This section of science makes it hard make out what is what,
and tell science from pseudo-scientific sinecures. Apparently, that
even includes administrative expenses of government bodies. It is
possible to inquire about that from the NAS Presidium, since according
to the Law on Science and Scientific -Technological Activities, The
Academy of Sciences (meaning Presidium), is the official consultant
of the Armenian Government, and the President of the NAS RA enjoys
a minister's status. The population of the country does not know how
many and how precious and scientifically justified recommendations have
been provided by the NAS Presidium to the Government of the Republic,
but the state budget of science is definitely his sacred duty. And the
fact that the government has legally imposed such high confidence on
the Presidium and the President of the NAS RA certainly indicates the
authorities' recognition of the very important role of science. By the
way, this fact became an object of envy on the part of representatives
of other spheres of creative activities of our republic, and the poor
state of science is attributed to the lack of talent of our scientists.
Today Presidium is still "out of the law". For instance, on the
one hand, it enjoys the rights of a state authority (state budget
funds allocation), on the other hand, it does not comply with
the age requirements for state officials. Given the fact that our
"national pride" - the NAS RA Presidium - cannot comply with this
law even theoretically, the National Assembly will apparently have
to resort to one of the two most probable options: either revise the
age requirement, or deprive the NAS Presidium of the opportunity of
allocating state funds of tax payers. Of course, it is only possible
if our government really strives for integrating into various
international structures respecting the rule of law and is ready to
get rid of the third possible option - living with no respect for law
and showing no compliance with it. Providing that the third option
is left out, our government will have to solve the said challenge
and find ways for successful regulation of science management.
Before considering all problems mentioned above, it should be stated
that besides being far from a superpower, Armenia is also a country
with less than perfect financial opportunities, therefore, we should
adeqately evaluate our abilities and the reality we are living in. In
order to develop the remaining scietific potenital inherited from
the previous system, we should use each penny in the most efficient
and appropriate way.
Science Management Issue: Management of the Armenian science should
be based on the current reality of the independent Armenia and
the functions imposed on this sphere. After the Law on Science
and Scientific-Technological Activity passed, there have been two
governmental bodies actually engaged in science management - the
Ministry of Education and NAS Presidium. The Ministry of Education
and Science, at that time headed by Academician E. Kazaryan, partly
delegated its authorities of science management to NAS RA almost
having no serious obstacles - although Deputy Minister A. Avetisyan
had publicly opposed that decision.
It is no use trying to analyze the reasons but there is one actual
circumstance which is impossible to leave out of account today:
the entrance examinations for institutes of higher education, their
significance in the life of our republic and the responsibility of
the Ministry of Science and Education for organizing and holding
the examinations. It goes without saying that higher education
and science are not only closely interconnected but also mutually
complementary, therefore, they should be considered as a whole. As
long as entrance examinations in our republic have the social and
even political significance as they do today, science administered
by the same ministry will never become a high priority issue. Hence,
it is of great imprtance and expedience that science management
in a country like Armenia should be carried out by an indpenednet
state authority. Taking into account the circumstances existing
in the scientific community itself as well as around it, I suggest
establishing a governmental body in the form of an independent agency,
the principal task of which will be development and implementation
of policy to be applied in the sphere of science.
Namely, I mean allocation of the state budget funds, quality and
prestige of science, (review and Higher Attestational Committee),
the correlation of science and economy under current conditions (the
so-called start companies), integration of Armenian science into
international scientific community (as the best method of Armenian
science development), establishment of up-to-date infrastructure
(scientific facilities, data bases), etc. Apparently, establishment
of such an independent infrastructure will be justified economically,
too, since it will relieve the main personnel of various ministries
and departments focusing on the narrow scope of science-related
issues. There is no need to look for similar form of management, all
we have to do is review the very Armenian management experience in
the period of reforms held by the Ministry of Science and Education
in 1997. The fact that the reforms carried out in 1992-1997 were
progressive and served solely the interests of Armenian science is
indirectly proven by the opinions of a number of independent competent
experts and committees (for example, the U.S. Committee of National
Research), from whom the results for that particular period had been
continuously concealed by our officials of science. This proves the
fact that our science officials have perfect understanding of the
reality, which they intentionally distort. While they may not find it
beneficial for themselves, it might cause the resentment of others,
so one thing should be recalled: during the reform period, i.e, in
1992-1997 when the financial resources available were incomparably
less, apart from the so-called "thematic funding" to be described
below the following steps were also taken: a) the scientific community
received the first opportunity of internet access (jointly with
"Hayastan" pan-Armenian foundation); b) the scientific community
received access to scientific literature (this action somewhat revived
the principal libraries as well); c) data bases of major scientific
equipment, scientific entities and researchers were created, which
could be successfully used both for efficient science management,
as well as for wider integration of the Armenian science with the
international community; d) additional target funds were allotted for
transportation expenses of scientific entities located outside Yerevan;
e) power supply was provided to some institutes. f) additional target
funds were allotted for acquisition of fodder for laboratory animals;
g) funding was provided for international scientific contacts,
in particular, for participation in international conferences
and travels; h) apart from research competitions, 4 additional
competitions were also announced as early as 1996 for materials
and facilities acquisition, as well as arrangement of scientific
expeditions and conferences. Moreover, given the fact that in 1996
the average salary of researchers was 9 000 AMD, which at that time
was more than a deputy minister's salary, and that special funding
was allotted for international cooperation, also, taking into account
the special fund for young researchers, provided by the state budget
of science in 1997 and the fact that corruption and protectionism
phenomena in science were out of the question, it is now possible
to fully understand all the 'justification" of the statements on
destructive nature of the reforms held in Armenia in 1992-1997.
Funding and Mechanisms of Science Funding: No doubt, the funding
provided for science is very scarce. In 2006 the state budget
officially allocated $12-$13 mln. for approximately 6000 researchers
(I believe, the actual figure is close to 40000). Even considering
4000 researchers, with $3000 for each researcher per year, the
allotted funding is rather scanty, especially under the existing
conditions in Armenia - lack of infrastructure, outdated facilities,
lack of chemicals and materials etc. Of course, the situation becomes
easier with the help of awards provided by international foundations
and charitable organizations of Diaspora, which proves the benefit
of integartion into the international scientific community including
Diaspora. But opportunities offered by international grants cannot be
provided to everybody, they are available only for those who are the
best (unfortunately, this is the way it is practiced there, but the
Russians are reluctant to pay).
For instance, our scholars do not actually use this opportunity,
while they own the monopoly of such important part of Orientalism
as Armenian Studies. Besides, it is no secret that Diaspora is more
enthusiastic about supporting cultural researches in Armenian Studies.
Thus, $3000 for each researcher per year is apparently insufficient
for serious, large-scale and competitive science. On the other hand,
the efficiency of use of all these means at all levels is very low -
what should be done is investigating the section of science in the
state budget and try to make out what it's all about (or who it's all
about). Nevertheless, requesting 3% for science is not realistic and
it is quite obvious that such finding is also going to be absolutely
insufficient and irretrievable (even in terms of fundamental sciences)
unless the efficiency of the invested funds is increased. A more
realistic approach could be achieved by adding 1 billion AMD in
the budget for year 2007 ($2-3 mln) and regulating expenses for
science. And it is possible to ensure higher efficiency of the
invested means by funding in the first place competitive scientific
result instead of personal relationships, titles and suchlike. This
accomplishment used to be achieved in Armenia during the period of
1992-1997 reforms by means of the so-called thematic or competitive
funding. A lot has been said about the nature of thematic (competitive
or addressed) funding and it is no use trying to prove obvious facts,
which make it absolutely clear that if we want to fund and have proper
science, we should then fund proper results and everything that is
needed for achieving this proper result regardless of who this result
is ensured by - our relative, favorite, or enemy. Besides, every penny
spent for the sake of science should be properly justified in terms
of competitiveness of each scientific result, which means answering
the following question: what are our expectations and at what cost?
Harutyun Karapetyan
Chairman of the National Foundation of Science and Advanced Technologies (NFSAT)
Lragir.am
9 Aug 06
As is well known, science is one of the spheres of human
creativeness. That accounts for its nature, which is common to all
mankind, along with such spheres as music, painting, poetry and
suchlike. However, due to a certain peculiarity, science completely
differs from art, which in the long run brings it down to earth from
the heavenly spiritual and moral heights. The peculiarity is that most
often the outcomes of science are eventually materialized and serve
as a basis for technological progress, which, in its turn, directly
tells on economy. Yet, paradoxical as it may be, it is no secret
that most often progress in our civilization took place (and in fact
it still does) by means of a tool for civilization extermination -
weapon. Therefore, on the one hand, science serves to promote human
welfare, on the other hand, it is a powerful tool for destruction of
one's own kind (again, the object-materialized components of science
- the human and antihuman ones). Unfortunately, it is the antihuman
component that prevails in determining the increasing demand for
science. It ibecomes more than apparent in the contemporary politicized
world (capitalism, communism, fascism, cold war, monopole world,
terrorism etc). Naturally, difference in the political regime, the
ambitions and potential of the state and its blocks, will also tell on
different attitudes to science. Hence, the requirements and functions
imposed on science will determine different forms of regulation and
management of this sphere of human creativeness.
We, today's independent Armenia, moreover, today's' science (along
with the general scientific community) are the product of the former
powerful totalitarian system. A system, where the human component
of science was, in fact, reduced to minimum and the management of
science was strictly governmental. After all, the USSR could have
had various "unions" of researchers similar to those of composers
or artists. However, the sphere of science and technology in the
USSR was under much more stringent and varied control than other
spheres of human activity, and all possible social and voluntary
formations of researchers were replaced with a single (actually,
again - governmental) body, which was the USSR Academy of Sciences
(including the Academies of the Soviet republics administered by the
Center). Economically, it may seem strange that the Soviet science
comprised three independent subsystems - academic, industrial and
subsystem of the institutes of higher education. Yet, this fact is also
accounted for by the need of maintaining strict confidentiality for
the objectives of certain investigations. Thus, the Soviet science
(including the "Armenian" component) served the goals and methods
of the management of the Soviet government - a superpower, often
denying the human and sensible aspects, which quite adequately met
the criteria of a close regime, aspiring for world supremacy.
Not to belittle the merit of Soviet science, yet, one cannot but admit
the following indisputable fact: such a form of science management
eventually resulted in an increasing substantial lag of the Soviet
science as compared to the international one, which, in the long run,
had a disastrous impact on the economy of the collapsed superpower.
However, it cant' be argued that today's independent Armenia
inherited quite a considerable scientific potential from the USSR,
and the issues of maintaining and developing this potential are no
longer to be addressed by a former or contemporary superpower but
rather by our young independent state. For Armenia, a country with
scarce natural resources, facing a number of rather complicated
regional problems, "high-level" science can serve as one of the
few factors, owing to which it will still be possible to ensure a
proper prestige of the country in the international community and
occupy a decent niche in the region. Certainly, it is only possible
provided that the governmental and legislative authorities take
adequate steps to address the challenges piled up in the sphere of
science and respective problems they involve, which display dangerous
tendencies. The problems are so obvious and deeply rooted that a delay
may cause destruction of Armenian science, which has still survived -
unfortunately, owing to certain researchers and not the methods of
the state management. Obviously, science and the scientific community
need changes that could already be reflected in the state budget of
the country for 2007.
Here are, I believe, the following main problems of the scientific
community, solutions to which may potentially lead to if not a
revival, but at least to finding a way out of the existing deadlock
(or, rather, a swamp):
1. Science management problem which includes such important
issues as integration of the Armenian scientific community with the
international one, commercialization of scientific results, development
of technological base of science, and, finally, generation change.
2. Funding and mechanisms of science funding.
No doubt, the highest priority issue is the legislation on scientific
activities, which could regulate all problems mentioned above, of
course, provided that the legislation meets the interests of science
and not those of respective departments. In this regard, obviously,
the most rational thing to do would be to terminate the force of the
so called "Law on Science and Scientific-Technological Activities"
adopted in 2000. It is no secret that this act put an end to the
process of the deliberate destruction of progressive reforms, which
were held in the period of 1992-1997 and were highly evaluated- and
in fact, they still are - by independent experts (not to mention the
Armenian researchers). It was absolutely obvious for everyone more or
less involved in science that it was not "science" itself that the law
actually focused on, but rather the status of the National Academy
of Sciences (please, note, that it does not refer to the academic
institutes but the Presidium itself), which enjoyed the rights of a
state authority, performing allocation of the state budget funds of
the tax-payers allotted for science and assuming no responsibility
even before the government of the country.
This accounts for the fact that immediately after the law had passed,
both the government and the initiators of the bill successfully
disregarded the only positive provision of the law stipulating
for 3% of state budget to be allotted for science, which, however,
still remained a dream. This law helped to achieve the main goal -
rejecting the progressive reforms that reflect the further interests
of science. The process of disregarding the reforms was initiated
as early as 1997 by the high-level authorities of the Ministry
of Education and Science, namely, the former Deputy Minister of
Science, and currently, Academician-Secretary of the NAS RA, twice
Dr. of Science, A. Shahinyan - certainly, with approval of the
former Minister of Education and Science, Candidate of Physical and
Mathematical Sciences, A. Petrosyan. It is but natural that it didn't
take long for corruption to develop.
The Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences became a "State in
a state" with evident soviet features, and the state budget funds
were used in the interests of a group of people - members of the
Academy, who could affect (often, purely theoretically) the internal
regulations of the "state". Compare the scholarship received by
post-graduate students for the work they perform with considerable
academic premiums for no work (or, more precisely, for idleness). For
instance, it is of great interest to know the amount of premiums for
the former accomplishments provided to our outstanding composers,
artists etc. The Presidium became a typical soviet phenomenon,
which is even proven by the fact that alternative thinking is still
publicly defamed (obviously implying mental disorders) and after mass
criticism of the existing disadvantages the whole blame is laid on
a single person, which is certainly not fair.
To bring more clarity in the role of the NAS RA Presidium in the
contemporary Armenian science, it is necessary to add the following
example: the administration of Yerevan State University (YSU Rector,
Academician R. Martirosyan) repeatedly stated that 40% of competitive
scientific results of Armenia, which met international standards,
are provided by the YSU. Actually, it is hard to seriously object to
this statement. But on the other hand, given the scientific product
also provided by such major entities as Yerevan Institute of Physics,
Institute of Biotechnology, SEUA, SMUA etc, what else is left for the
academic system comprising 40 entities and Presidium, which openly
and officially condemns the international standard in investigations
of basic sciences. Obviously, that leads to more serious questions,
namely - what is the actual role of Presidium in terms of scientific
product, and what does the academic science basically stand for today?
By the way, the fact that the "science" at the NAS Presidium stands
for something else can be easily proven simply by reviewing the
section of science in the state budget of the country for 2006,
which resembles a mirror of the state policy in the sphere of
science. This section of science makes it hard make out what is what,
and tell science from pseudo-scientific sinecures. Apparently, that
even includes administrative expenses of government bodies. It is
possible to inquire about that from the NAS Presidium, since according
to the Law on Science and Scientific -Technological Activities, The
Academy of Sciences (meaning Presidium), is the official consultant
of the Armenian Government, and the President of the NAS RA enjoys
a minister's status. The population of the country does not know how
many and how precious and scientifically justified recommendations have
been provided by the NAS Presidium to the Government of the Republic,
but the state budget of science is definitely his sacred duty. And the
fact that the government has legally imposed such high confidence on
the Presidium and the President of the NAS RA certainly indicates the
authorities' recognition of the very important role of science. By the
way, this fact became an object of envy on the part of representatives
of other spheres of creative activities of our republic, and the poor
state of science is attributed to the lack of talent of our scientists.
Today Presidium is still "out of the law". For instance, on the
one hand, it enjoys the rights of a state authority (state budget
funds allocation), on the other hand, it does not comply with
the age requirements for state officials. Given the fact that our
"national pride" - the NAS RA Presidium - cannot comply with this
law even theoretically, the National Assembly will apparently have
to resort to one of the two most probable options: either revise the
age requirement, or deprive the NAS Presidium of the opportunity of
allocating state funds of tax payers. Of course, it is only possible
if our government really strives for integrating into various
international structures respecting the rule of law and is ready to
get rid of the third possible option - living with no respect for law
and showing no compliance with it. Providing that the third option
is left out, our government will have to solve the said challenge
and find ways for successful regulation of science management.
Before considering all problems mentioned above, it should be stated
that besides being far from a superpower, Armenia is also a country
with less than perfect financial opportunities, therefore, we should
adeqately evaluate our abilities and the reality we are living in. In
order to develop the remaining scietific potenital inherited from
the previous system, we should use each penny in the most efficient
and appropriate way.
Science Management Issue: Management of the Armenian science should
be based on the current reality of the independent Armenia and
the functions imposed on this sphere. After the Law on Science
and Scientific-Technological Activity passed, there have been two
governmental bodies actually engaged in science management - the
Ministry of Education and NAS Presidium. The Ministry of Education
and Science, at that time headed by Academician E. Kazaryan, partly
delegated its authorities of science management to NAS RA almost
having no serious obstacles - although Deputy Minister A. Avetisyan
had publicly opposed that decision.
It is no use trying to analyze the reasons but there is one actual
circumstance which is impossible to leave out of account today:
the entrance examinations for institutes of higher education, their
significance in the life of our republic and the responsibility of
the Ministry of Science and Education for organizing and holding
the examinations. It goes without saying that higher education
and science are not only closely interconnected but also mutually
complementary, therefore, they should be considered as a whole. As
long as entrance examinations in our republic have the social and
even political significance as they do today, science administered
by the same ministry will never become a high priority issue. Hence,
it is of great imprtance and expedience that science management
in a country like Armenia should be carried out by an indpenednet
state authority. Taking into account the circumstances existing
in the scientific community itself as well as around it, I suggest
establishing a governmental body in the form of an independent agency,
the principal task of which will be development and implementation
of policy to be applied in the sphere of science.
Namely, I mean allocation of the state budget funds, quality and
prestige of science, (review and Higher Attestational Committee),
the correlation of science and economy under current conditions (the
so-called start companies), integration of Armenian science into
international scientific community (as the best method of Armenian
science development), establishment of up-to-date infrastructure
(scientific facilities, data bases), etc. Apparently, establishment
of such an independent infrastructure will be justified economically,
too, since it will relieve the main personnel of various ministries
and departments focusing on the narrow scope of science-related
issues. There is no need to look for similar form of management, all
we have to do is review the very Armenian management experience in
the period of reforms held by the Ministry of Science and Education
in 1997. The fact that the reforms carried out in 1992-1997 were
progressive and served solely the interests of Armenian science is
indirectly proven by the opinions of a number of independent competent
experts and committees (for example, the U.S. Committee of National
Research), from whom the results for that particular period had been
continuously concealed by our officials of science. This proves the
fact that our science officials have perfect understanding of the
reality, which they intentionally distort. While they may not find it
beneficial for themselves, it might cause the resentment of others,
so one thing should be recalled: during the reform period, i.e, in
1992-1997 when the financial resources available were incomparably
less, apart from the so-called "thematic funding" to be described
below the following steps were also taken: a) the scientific community
received the first opportunity of internet access (jointly with
"Hayastan" pan-Armenian foundation); b) the scientific community
received access to scientific literature (this action somewhat revived
the principal libraries as well); c) data bases of major scientific
equipment, scientific entities and researchers were created, which
could be successfully used both for efficient science management,
as well as for wider integration of the Armenian science with the
international community; d) additional target funds were allotted for
transportation expenses of scientific entities located outside Yerevan;
e) power supply was provided to some institutes. f) additional target
funds were allotted for acquisition of fodder for laboratory animals;
g) funding was provided for international scientific contacts,
in particular, for participation in international conferences
and travels; h) apart from research competitions, 4 additional
competitions were also announced as early as 1996 for materials
and facilities acquisition, as well as arrangement of scientific
expeditions and conferences. Moreover, given the fact that in 1996
the average salary of researchers was 9 000 AMD, which at that time
was more than a deputy minister's salary, and that special funding
was allotted for international cooperation, also, taking into account
the special fund for young researchers, provided by the state budget
of science in 1997 and the fact that corruption and protectionism
phenomena in science were out of the question, it is now possible
to fully understand all the 'justification" of the statements on
destructive nature of the reforms held in Armenia in 1992-1997.
Funding and Mechanisms of Science Funding: No doubt, the funding
provided for science is very scarce. In 2006 the state budget
officially allocated $12-$13 mln. for approximately 6000 researchers
(I believe, the actual figure is close to 40000). Even considering
4000 researchers, with $3000 for each researcher per year, the
allotted funding is rather scanty, especially under the existing
conditions in Armenia - lack of infrastructure, outdated facilities,
lack of chemicals and materials etc. Of course, the situation becomes
easier with the help of awards provided by international foundations
and charitable organizations of Diaspora, which proves the benefit
of integartion into the international scientific community including
Diaspora. But opportunities offered by international grants cannot be
provided to everybody, they are available only for those who are the
best (unfortunately, this is the way it is practiced there, but the
Russians are reluctant to pay).
For instance, our scholars do not actually use this opportunity,
while they own the monopoly of such important part of Orientalism
as Armenian Studies. Besides, it is no secret that Diaspora is more
enthusiastic about supporting cultural researches in Armenian Studies.
Thus, $3000 for each researcher per year is apparently insufficient
for serious, large-scale and competitive science. On the other hand,
the efficiency of use of all these means at all levels is very low -
what should be done is investigating the section of science in the
state budget and try to make out what it's all about (or who it's all
about). Nevertheless, requesting 3% for science is not realistic and
it is quite obvious that such finding is also going to be absolutely
insufficient and irretrievable (even in terms of fundamental sciences)
unless the efficiency of the invested funds is increased. A more
realistic approach could be achieved by adding 1 billion AMD in
the budget for year 2007 ($2-3 mln) and regulating expenses for
science. And it is possible to ensure higher efficiency of the
invested means by funding in the first place competitive scientific
result instead of personal relationships, titles and suchlike. This
accomplishment used to be achieved in Armenia during the period of
1992-1997 reforms by means of the so-called thematic or competitive
funding. A lot has been said about the nature of thematic (competitive
or addressed) funding and it is no use trying to prove obvious facts,
which make it absolutely clear that if we want to fund and have proper
science, we should then fund proper results and everything that is
needed for achieving this proper result regardless of who this result
is ensured by - our relative, favorite, or enemy. Besides, every penny
spent for the sake of science should be properly justified in terms
of competitiveness of each scientific result, which means answering
the following question: what are our expectations and at what cost?