“Aravot” asked Vladimir Hayrapetyan, the former researcher of the Observatory in Byurakan, now the US-based Professor visiting Armenia who is currently working at NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and teaches at the George Mason University whether it was possible to restore the former glory of the Observatory. “I think it is definitely possible but apart from the problem of the observatory, there is a much more complicated problem and it is the restoration of all Armenia’s scientific potential. In other words, Byurakan is a small part of a bigger problem, first of all, it is necessary to increase the effectiveness of science.
As far as I understand, unfortunately, today Armenia continues to work with the Soviet model where the Academy of Sciences is the main institution, the supervising and distribution body. In Armenia, things are still decided in one center like in the Soviet hierarchy. But science cannot work with hierarchy. The Communist Party was working with hierarchy. Now, allegedly they are talking about democracy but everything is left as before. Let the state be dealing with the army, communication, telephone, post mail, rivers, fields while the science and economy should decide on their own how to develop,” – says Vladimir Hayrapetyan with confidence.
Gohar HAKOBYAN
