Science and Technology in Armenia Toward a Knowledge-Based Economy (2004) / Chapter Skim
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3 Conclusions
3 Conclusions
Pages 42-56
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From page 42... ...
The recent inclusion of Armenia among the countries eligible to participate in the activities of the new Millennium Challenge Corporation provides an excellent opportunity for the country to seek Millennium Challenge Account assistance for particularly promising science and technology (S&T) development projects (see Appendix J)
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From page 43... ...
In 2003, the NAS-RA presented to the government its proposals for future directions for S&T in Armenia and recommended the following research priorities: Armenian studies, information technology, laser physics and technology, nanotechnology and semiconductor nanoelectronics, biotechnology, new materials, and environmental risk factors and human health (see Appendix L for an abridged translation)
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From page 44... ...
The principal science-oriented universities of Armenia have shown that they can stretch resources a long way, and investment in equipping teaching laboratories would yield high benefits. Modern equipment for research laboratories is also badly needed.
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From page 45... ...
Other organizations such as the Center for Medical Genetics and the Drug and Medical Technology Agency have also developed good biological programs and can provide a limited number of jobs for university graduates. According to senior Armenian government officials, provision of software development services by Armenian companies generated about $50 million in export revenue in 2003.
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From page 46... ...
It began as a network infrastructure project for the Caucasus and Central Asia and has evolved into a broad initiative aimed at supporting national research and education organizations throughout the region. While Armenia's S&T community still faces significant problems of isolation and the Virtual Silk Highway Project has encountered problems with hardware and bandwidth availability, electronic infrastructurebuilding initiatives of this nature are helpful and could be encouraged.
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From page 47... ...
One aspect of sustainability relates to the long-term flow of development assistance that directly supports research activities. A broader aspect concerns how development assistance can help create or strengthen institutions or economic activities so that they become self-sustaining over time.
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From page 48... ...
Armenia has a capability for precision machining and equipment building, as well as the design of numerical control software. The company Mshak has produced what it claims to be the fastest machine in the world for punching holes in printed circuit boards.
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From page 49... ...
The center has already fulfilled a contract for a Dutch firm. It is able to offer additional analytical services such as providing NMR and mass spectra for users as well as spectral interpretation and database services for molecular structure analysis.
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From page 50... ...
RECOMMENDATIONS Small Business Innovation Research Program There appear to be unexploited opportunities for commercialization of science and technology activities in Armenia that might be competitive in worldwide markets. To encourage such commercialization activities, a small business innovation research program2 should be considered in Armenia.
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From page 51... ...
Grants in both phases should be awarded based on the results of a rigorous peer review process, with the expert review panels preferably including representatives of industry and the international science community as well as Armenian scientists. Of course, decisions about the details of any program launched in Armenia would be up to its planners, but the basic model described might be a useful point of departure.
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From page 52... ...
Armenian institutions of higher education should continue to modernize their organizational structures and curricula and make strong efforts to recruit young, foreign-educated faculty. A sustained program of visiting professorships would provide a useful mechanism for bringing in distinguished foreign faculty who could not only enrich curricular content but also contribute new ideas about university organizational and administrative practices.
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From page 53... ...
It deserves to be supported through the next pre-construction phase of detailed engineering design and testing the concept of building prototype equipment in Armenia, which will require funding of up to $4 million over a two-year period. Intellectual Property Intellectual property is a key enabling issue for the long-term success of technology-based businesses.
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From page 54... ...
Could such an office process applications for protection in Armenia in an efficient manner? · How can the advisory mechanisms of ISTC, the European Union, or other external organizations be strengthened to provide entrepreneurs with guidance on applying for IPR protection in the United States, Europe, Japan, and other major worldwide markets, and how can the costs of such filings be covered for newly emerging firms?
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From page 55... ...
Such support could include, for example, subsidizing existing M.B.A. programs at AUA and the State Engineering University of Armenia and providing funding for these programs to sponsor visiting faculty from Europe or the United States.
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From page 56... ...
Although the Armenian government has set a reasonable target of devoting 3 percent of the total national budget to S&T, actual funding has been only about one-third of that level. This low level of support by the government has led to excessive dependence on foreign sources of funding for the nation's S&T capacity.
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