Slow generation change endangers future of Yerevan Physics Institute: Ashot Chilingaryan

YEREVAN, MAY 16, ARMENPRESS. The Government of the Republic of Armenia in September of 2011 adopted a decision on reshaping the Yerevan Physics Institute from the non-trade organization to foundation. The implementation process of this decision was met with contradictory responses of the employees. On the issues concerning the end of the process and, most important, the change of generations at the scientific center, "Armenpress" interviewed the Director, Prof. Ashot Chilingaryan.

- Mr. Chilingaryan, have the passions calmed down linked to the reorganization?

- "At the National Science Laboratory after A Alikhanyan " (Yerevan Physics Institute) the situation in the whole has long calmed down. And those who two years ago made public announcements against the creation of the foundation, stayed and still work at the Institute. That time the main concern was that the state will reduce the funding for the institute, which has become a foundation. The other concern was the reduction in the volume of the basic research. However, in both cases the pessimistic predictions did not come true.

- Did the state funding grow in the past two or three years?

- The funding did not significantly raise, as according to the existing government programs in the last few years, the state funding of the entire scientific field in Armenia every year should be increased by 10 percent as compared to the previous one, but in the case of our institute, particularly in 2014, it has grown by 2.2 percent. But, on the other hand, the state somewhat subsidized the price difference of the electricity after it grew in July 2013. (THE FULL VERSION OF INTERVIEW IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)

Interview by Samvel Sargsyan