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IS SCIENCE MORE IMPORTANT IN UGANDA, TANZANIA, CONGO AND MOZAMBIQUE, THAN IN ARMENIA?
Daniel Ioannisyan
http://hetq.am/eng/articles/20697/is-science-more-important-in-uganda-tanzania-congo-and-mozambique-than-in-armenia?.html
16:06, November 19, 2012
As we know, the draft state budget for 2013 is being discussed in
the National Assembly. Let's try to understand the amount of funding,
particularly for science.
In accordance with the draft budget circulating in the National
Assembly, in 2013 science funding will be about 11.2 million dram. If
we consider the government's promise to add another 300 million dram
atthe next reading in the National Assembly, the funding will amount
to about 11.5 million dram.
Therefore, compared with 2012 science funding will grow by 13.5%in
2013, exactly as much asthe state budget inflows will grow, which
is required in accordance withthe Armenian law "On Scientific
Activity."Thus, the risein science funding will be exactly as much as
the government is obliged to increase according to the law, not more.
Science funding/GDP ratio
This year science funding comprises 0.246%of GDP. Next year, according
to forecasts, it will be slightly more -- 0.254% (the expected GDP
is 4.54 trillion dram).
In order to make this number more understandable, let's examine some
examples based on the UNESCO 2010 science report. Cyprus and Slovakia
have the lowest rate (0.47%), while Sweden has the highest rate
(3.75%) in the European Union.
Even in Uganda 0.39% of GDP is spent on science, while Tanzania spends
0.32%, Congo spends 0.48% and Mozambique, 0.53%. Thus, the role of
science is more important in those countries than in Armenia.
In Russia the percentage is 1.03% and in Turkey, 0.39%. Armenia is
relatively close to Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Israel (4.86%) is the absolute leader in the world. According to
some Armenian officials Israel, which is surrounded by enemies and
is often involved in armed conflict, logically should not dedicate
such a large amount for science (almost 20% of state budget).
Activists representing the "We require an increase in science
funding"initiative, several experts and almost all political parties
(according to their campaign programs) agree that in Armenia 2-3%
of GDP should be dedicated to science funding.
Indeed, there is still hope that the suggestions of four opposition
parties (Heritage, Armenian National Congress, Armenian Revolutionary
Federation-Dashnaktsutyun and Prosperous Armenia) on an increase in
science funding would be partially accepted by the ruling majority
and government on the second reading of the budget in the National
Assembly.
Otherwise, we will see that the role of science is more important
in other countries, even Uganda, Tanzania, Congo and Mozambique,
than in Armenia.
From: Baghdasarian
Daniel Ioannisyan
http://hetq.am/eng/articles/20697/is-science-more-important-in-uganda-tanzania-congo-and-mozambique-than-in-armenia?.html
16:06, November 19, 2012
As we know, the draft state budget for 2013 is being discussed in
the National Assembly. Let's try to understand the amount of funding,
particularly for science.
In accordance with the draft budget circulating in the National
Assembly, in 2013 science funding will be about 11.2 million dram. If
we consider the government's promise to add another 300 million dram
atthe next reading in the National Assembly, the funding will amount
to about 11.5 million dram.
Therefore, compared with 2012 science funding will grow by 13.5%in
2013, exactly as much asthe state budget inflows will grow, which
is required in accordance withthe Armenian law "On Scientific
Activity."Thus, the risein science funding will be exactly as much as
the government is obliged to increase according to the law, not more.
Science funding/GDP ratio
This year science funding comprises 0.246%of GDP. Next year, according
to forecasts, it will be slightly more -- 0.254% (the expected GDP
is 4.54 trillion dram).
In order to make this number more understandable, let's examine some
examples based on the UNESCO 2010 science report. Cyprus and Slovakia
have the lowest rate (0.47%), while Sweden has the highest rate
(3.75%) in the European Union.
Even in Uganda 0.39% of GDP is spent on science, while Tanzania spends
0.32%, Congo spends 0.48% and Mozambique, 0.53%. Thus, the role of
science is more important in those countries than in Armenia.
In Russia the percentage is 1.03% and in Turkey, 0.39%. Armenia is
relatively close to Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Israel (4.86%) is the absolute leader in the world. According to
some Armenian officials Israel, which is surrounded by enemies and
is often involved in armed conflict, logically should not dedicate
such a large amount for science (almost 20% of state budget).
Activists representing the "We require an increase in science
funding"initiative, several experts and almost all political parties
(according to their campaign programs) agree that in Armenia 2-3%
of GDP should be dedicated to science funding.
Indeed, there is still hope that the suggestions of four opposition
parties (Heritage, Armenian National Congress, Armenian Revolutionary
Federation-Dashnaktsutyun and Prosperous Armenia) on an increase in
science funding would be partially accepted by the ruling majority
and government on the second reading of the budget in the National
Assembly.
Otherwise, we will see that the role of science is more important
in other countries, even Uganda, Tanzania, Congo and Mozambique,
than in Armenia.
From: Baghdasarian