Thursday, 17 June 2010
Yerevan Physics Institute as a national research lab
The government session of June 17, 2010 decided to rename the Yerevan Physics Institute after A. I. Alikhanyan into National Research Laboratory after A. I. Alikhanyan turning it into a scientific and technical center meeting international standards.
State assistance to this unique research center is justified
The Lab will get State assistance under a yearlong program. The purpose is to conduct applied and fundamental research, upkeep and develop scientific infrastructures, as well as to ensure international cooperation in the field of science. The financing scheme applicable to the National Scientific Laboratory after A. I. Alikhanyan is reflected in the State budget under a separate item at the rate of AMD 575 600 000. Indeed, this is a reasonable assistance to Armenia’s largest scientific entity with over 70-year-long remarkable history and numerous achievements. It is one of largest centers of both fundamental and applied science, which has a unique infrastructural framework and scientific potential consisting in the units of theoretical physics, experimental physics, space beams, physics of accelerators and engineering, “Nor-Amberd” and “Aragats” scientific stations, ARUS synchrotron, a number of linear accelerators, the computer center. The Lab has wide international ties and traditions of scientific cooperation. It actively participates in the design and implementation of experiments initiated in Europe and the USA.
Medical program: a unique opportunity for international standard-based diagnostics
The anticipated State support will be seconded by a National Competitiveness Fund-financed program on purchase of a 30 MEV cyclotron for the production of isotopes. This accelerator of particles will provide a unique opportunity for international standard-based diagnostics.
Other programs
By keeping up the dynamics of previous activities, the center will conduct more coordinated work to promote a knowledge-based economy. In particular, the NRL will keep up and develop research infrastructure physics of accelerators to provide for their application in life. It will become bridge between Armenia and the international scientific community, creating opportunities for participation of Armenian experts in international projects and scientific development in Armenia. Besides it is planned that the NRL will become an educational center for the study of fundamental physics, adjacent technologies and information technologies. The NRL can become a regional center of studies on nuclear safety, chemistry and biology. A standing international advisory panel of scientists will be set up to assess the NRL’s research program performance.
Scientific traditions and innovations – hand in hand
It is a well-known fact that the former institute of physics has made a valuable scientific contribution not only in Armenia, but also in the countries of the former USSR. Noteworthy is that by this move the Government creates a mix of old traditions and innovational approaches promoting knowledge-based economy to justify our scientists’ expectations who never gave up hoping that sooner or later their everyday work would be appreciated at its true value.
See details at:
RA Government Session of 17.06.2010
Cooperation due to lead to national research lab establishment
