Armenia’s Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Zhanna Andreasyan, held a working meeting with directors of scientific institutes on October 30. Discussions focused on ongoing reforms in the science sector, management and funding mechanisms for research institutions, and issues related to organizing their future activities.
The meeting was also attended by Lilit Mkrtchyan, acting chair of the Higher Education and Science Committee, along with other representatives of the committee.
Minister Andreasyan introduced Lilit Mkrtchyan to the participants and expressed confidence that effective cooperation could be established in the coming period. She also emphasized the need to comprehensively examine the specific characteristics of the humanities and social sciences and develop appropriate approaches.
Addressing the governance of scientific institutions, the minister announced that the institutes’ charters had already received the necessary approvals. The formation of governing boards was identified as the next important step. Participants also discussed procedures for filling vacant director positions, ensuring the representation of relevant specialists on the boards, and issues concerning the certification of researchers.
During discussions on science funding, Andreasyan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing Armenia’s 2026–2030 Strategic Program for the Development of Science. The minister noted that the government intends to maintain the continuity of programs already underway while introducing new initiatives.
She also drew attention to the importance of ensuring that public financial resources are used efficiently and for their intended purposes. Particular emphasis was placed on improving mechanisms for evaluating research outcomes, strengthening accountability and increasing public awareness of scientific achievements.
In this context, participants discussed opportunities to organize public events on November 10 to mark World Science Day. Special attention was given to encouraging the active participation of schoolchildren in these initiatives to stimulate their interest in science.
The meeting also addressed the process of approving baseline funding allocations for scientific organizations for the following year. Zhanna Andreasyan stressed the importance of adopting the relevant decisions as early as possible so that research institutions can plan their future activities in a timely and effective manner.
Another area of discussion concerned opportunities for jointly implementing third-cycle higher education programs, including doctoral studies. Participants also addressed the specific features of scientific organization governance, the involvement of the National Academy of Sciences in these processes, and related funding issues.
Concluding the meeting, the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports reaffirmed her readiness to maintain consistent cooperation with representatives of the scientific community and find practical solutions to the issues raised.
