Name of the Winner of the Victor Hambardzumyan International Competition to be Known July 18

YEREVAN, MAY 25, ARMENPRESS: Armenian President established in 2009 an international award after world famous astrophysicist Victor Hambardzumyan which for the first time will be handed this year. The award is handed once in two years. With request of “Armenpress” Chairman of the National Academy of Sciences Radik Martirosyan referred to the ongoing works of the competition.

- Mr. Martirosyan, in what phase are the works of conduction of V. Hambardzumyan International competition?

- Last year on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of V. Hambardzumyan in a row of celebrations immortalizing his memory with the suggestion and initiative of the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan V. Hambardzumyan international award has been established. Like different international awards existing in the world, this too has an important factor- high organizational level, scientific content, large fund – 500 000 USD. The means will not be provided from the state budget.

- Who are involved in the commission of the international competition?

- For maintaining the high level of organization of the competition an authoritative commission has been set up, which includes outstanding scientists of astrophysics – former and current presidents of International Company of Astrophysics, president of English Royal Company, scientists from Germany, Italy, Russia, the USA and other countries. The goal of all is one – grant the award to the worthy participant. Especially the first award must be granted to the best, in future the authority of the competition will be decided by it.

- When will the name of the winner be known?

- The name of the winner will be known July 18 and the ceremony of handing of the award will take place September 18, on the birthday of V. Hambardzumyan. For covering the event we are planning to invite well-known international TV companies and other mass media.

- How many applications have you received as of the moment?

- From the very beginning we were afraid that the number of presenters of the applications will be small. Today these concerns faded away. Many well-known scientists submitted applications for getting the award. Their number exceeds 10: among them is also a Nobel Prize winner. The applications have been received from different countries of the world.

- Who have right to nominate for the award, and how the works are being selected and assessed?

- People having obvious results, important contribution to the sphere of astrology/astrophysics or in those spheres of mathematics and physics which are connected with the researches of V. Hambardzumyan. The candidacies must be nominated by national academies of sciences, universities, research institutions. Nobel Prize winners also have right to present applications. Together with applications three guarantees are submitted. After that, the commission sends the works for expertise and gets a corresponding opinion from different scientists. If their opinions are positive, they are put for the discussion of the commission.

- In your opinion, what place will V. Hambardzumyan international competition take among other big competitions?

- It will be one of the most important ones. It is generally accepted that highest prize in the scientific sphere is the Nobel Prize. According to me, V. Hambardzumyan prize will also in several years be ranked in that row. The bright testimony of my words is the number of submitted applications. It means that it has high authority. The competition is an occasion to present to the world our country, science and achievements of the Armenian scientists.

- How this award will contribute to the development of astrophysics in Armenia?

- The competition will directly contribute to it, it gives an opportunity to present us to the world leading scientific circles as working in the astrology sphere. Astrology has different directions and parts, and today we do not have people dealing with them. For instance, we have not yet dealt with sun physics, space science. Today within the framework of this competition we are suggested a program connected with the all spheres of astrology.