Thursday, 17 June 2010
The institute to become a center of excellence
Today the press conference of Ashot Chilingaryan, director of the Yerevan Physics Institute after A. I. Alikhanyan, was held at the Office of Government which was devoted to the development of the institute under his management. In July, 2009, a panel of experts was set up by RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan’s decision involving experts from Russia, France, Germany, Great Britain and the USA. According to expert opinion, keeping the priorities, the institute should expand in activities in the spheres of nuclear physics and transfer of innovative technologies in particular. The institute is set to become a center bringing together industry, educational system and fundamental science.
Then the National Research Lab should provide for the preservation, development and application of research infrastructures of accelerator physics at the international level of scientific excellence. In opinion of director of the institute, it should become a link between Armenia and the international scientific community, creating opportunities for participation of Armenian experts in major international projects. Ashot Chilingaryan noted that reform is the first great stride toward scientific development in Armenia.
As he said, there were no investments in this sphere for more than 15 years. “Infrastructures need improving. It is also necessary to develop nuclear physics,” Ashot Chilingaryan said. A scientific educational center will be founded in which training courses will be held. Under a government decree, the Yerevan Physics Institute after A. I. Alikhanyan was renamed into National Research Laboratory after A. I. Alikhanyan. Mr. Chilingaryan further noted that the NRL should become an educational center for fundamental physics, applied and information technologies.
In his opinion, 50-60 million dollars will be spent on the design and construction of the new accelerator. AMD 575.6 million was allocated by the government for modernization of infrastructures, increase in salaries and realization of routine maintenance-related expenditures. Mr. Chilingaryan also spoke about the purchase of a cyclotron which will be completely ready for operation next year.
The expert group findings, coupled with fast scientific development may help conduct a sound investment policy for the development of specific spheres of science and education of the new generation of scientists.
Mr. Chilingaryan ascertained that over the last few years the development of nuclear physics was slowed down and there were some problems as for the establishment of a center of nuclear medicine. The speaker next referred the question of technical equipment of the institute. It was noted that due to numerous grants available in a number of directions, high-quality equipment has been purchased, for example, the equipment established in the branch of space beams.
In conclusion, Mr. Chilingaryan said that the construction of the center of diagnostics and treatment of cancer-related diseases will be launched in the near future.
