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Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan met the heads of research institutes on 30 October to discuss reforms in science, the management and financing of research organisations, and arrangements for their future activities.
According to the ministry, participants included Acting Chair of the Higher Education and Science Committee Lilit Mkrtchyan and other committee representatives. Introducing Mkrtchyan, Andreasyan expressed confidence in effective cooperation and highlighted the importance of giving more comprehensive consideration to the specific characteristics of the humanities and social sciences.
Addressing the management of research organisations, the minister said the institutes’ statutes had already been approved and that forming their governing boards was a priority. The discussion also covered filling director positions, professional representation on the boards and the appraisal of researchers.
On science funding, Andreasyan reaffirmed that the Government-approved strategic programme for the development of Armenia’s science sector for 2026–2030 would be implemented, ensuring the continuity of existing programmes and the launch of new initiatives. She also stressed the importance of using public funds efficiently, evaluating research results, strengthening accountability and communicating scientific achievements to the public.
In this context, participants discussed opportunities to organise public events on 10 November to mark World Science Day, placing particular emphasis on involving schoolchildren.
They also addressed the approval of research organisations’ core funding allocations for the following year. The minister stressed the importance of arranging this process earlier to enable institutions to plan their activities effectively.
The discussion also covered the joint delivery of third-cycle higher education programmes, as well as the management of research organisations, the involvement of the National Academy of Sciences and funding.
The minister reaffirmed her readiness to maintain cooperation with the scientific community and find practical solutions to the issues raised.