Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan chaired the second meeting of the Science and Technology Development Council of Armenia under the Prime Minister of Armenia today.

Hakob Arshakyan, Vice President of the National Assembly, member of the council, presented the work done by the executive committee, based on the agreements reached during the previous session.

In particular, the work carried out by 8 working groups was reported, the vision of which is the development of the scientific and technological sphere in Armenia, making it an innovative and industrially developed state.

According to Hakob Arshakyan, about 70 specialists were involved in the works, including entrepreneurs in the field of science, reputable persons from Armenia and the Diaspora.

Details were presented on plans and proposals for the development in 5 sectors that have the components of education, science and industry: artificial intelligence and machine learning, microelectronics, advanced robotics and aerospace, quantum technology, biotechnology and sciences.

It was emphasized that the programs related to scientific and technological development and the recommendations presented by the working groups are included in one document.

It was noted that there was a proposal by all the working groups to have centers of excellence, which would include a scientific council for attracting talent, laboratory infrastructures, carry out work related to the formulation of modern problems, scientific work and printing, educational programs for educational institutions, etc.

"The consolidation of about 7 dozen scientists and entrepreneurs of the technological community is about bringing a true qualitative change in Armenia and offering qualitatively new programs. This is also the reason for this new qualitative proposal: to go in the direction of centers of excellence. This can also serve as a basis for the cooperation of the Science and Technology University of the Academic City," said Hakob Arshakyan.

At the meeting, reference was also made to the monitoring of the implementation of the strategy.

An exchange of ideas took place, the participants of the meeting referred to the creation of a mechanism for discussing the package of proposals prepared by the working groups with the government.

In that framework, activities related to the involvement of working groups, implementation of monitoring of program implementation and presentation to the council, continuous study of global experience and provision of consultation will be carried out.

In this context, the Prime Minister noted that it is necessary to establish criteria for the selection of experts and to decide with which legal organizational mechanism it will work best.