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news.am, Armenia
April 2 2011
Armenian Government must support science, researcher says
April 02, 2011 | 13:53
Armenian science should not hope for foreign grants, but it is the
Armenian Government that must support scientists, Armen Sargsyan, a
researcher, Institute of Physiology, Armenian National Academy of
Sciences (ANAS), told Armenian News-NEWS.am.
`We can often hear that foreign grant programs are a way out of the
crisis for Armenian scientists. It is an erroneous opinion, however. I
have wide experience in using foreign grants. They must be aid rather
than the principal financing,' A. Sargsyan said.
He pointed out severe competition for grants as many scientists
present high-quality papers. One more problem facing scientists is to
find partners abroad. `For example, a grant issued by the Council of
Europe requires a European partner. Other grants require partners from
at least four countries, which is difficult even for famous
scientists,' A. Sargsyan said.
`To establish contacts and reach agreements, scientists have to take
part in international conferences. Hardly any scientist will start
cooperating after receiving an e-mail message from an unknown person
when he does not even know where this particular country is,' A.
Sargsyan said. The Government must sponsor scientists' participation
in conferences.
`The Government must allocate as much funds to scientific centers as
they need to send at least three to four scientists to international
conferences a year,' the Armenian scientist said. He pointed out a
more serious reason why foreign grants must not be hoped for.
`Why should the French Government sponsor Armenian science? They have
their own interests - using our scientists' work and ideas and
applying them in France. If they give money, they enjoy the result.
You have to prove your work is useful for Europe rather than for
Armenia,' A. Sargsyan said.
`It is a tale that the Armenian Government has no money. No one
believes it. If they can give U.S. $500,000 to Swiss scientists as an
award, they have money,' A. Sargsyan said.
From: A. Papazian
April 2 2011
Armenian Government must support science, researcher says
April 02, 2011 | 13:53
Armenian science should not hope for foreign grants, but it is the
Armenian Government that must support scientists, Armen Sargsyan, a
researcher, Institute of Physiology, Armenian National Academy of
Sciences (ANAS), told Armenian News-NEWS.am.
`We can often hear that foreign grant programs are a way out of the
crisis for Armenian scientists. It is an erroneous opinion, however. I
have wide experience in using foreign grants. They must be aid rather
than the principal financing,' A. Sargsyan said.
He pointed out severe competition for grants as many scientists
present high-quality papers. One more problem facing scientists is to
find partners abroad. `For example, a grant issued by the Council of
Europe requires a European partner. Other grants require partners from
at least four countries, which is difficult even for famous
scientists,' A. Sargsyan said.
`To establish contacts and reach agreements, scientists have to take
part in international conferences. Hardly any scientist will start
cooperating after receiving an e-mail message from an unknown person
when he does not even know where this particular country is,' A.
Sargsyan said. The Government must sponsor scientists' participation
in conferences.
`The Government must allocate as much funds to scientific centers as
they need to send at least three to four scientists to international
conferences a year,' the Armenian scientist said. He pointed out a
more serious reason why foreign grants must not be hoped for.
`Why should the French Government sponsor Armenian science? They have
their own interests - using our scientists' work and ideas and
applying them in France. If they give money, they enjoy the result.
You have to prove your work is useful for Europe rather than for
Armenia,' A. Sargsyan said.
`It is a tale that the Armenian Government has no money. No one
believes it. If they can give U.S. $500,000 to Swiss scientists as an
award, they have money,' A. Sargsyan said.
From: A. Papazian