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“Some 7,000 employees work at the institutions of Armenia’s National Academy of Sciences. How is the issue concerning the status of these institutions going to be resolved now? How are they going to be funded? Not to mention that the average salary in these institutions is low, standing at around 100,000 drams,” MP Mikayel Melkumyan from the opposition Prosperous Armenia Party said at the parliamentary debates on the package of bills on higher education and science on Wednesday.

In addition, the deputy highlighted the need to preserve the academic environment in universities.

“We are losing the academic environment. Which circle will become academic? You are talking about the administrative circle, but what is it? Thus, we will deprive the head of a university chair of the opportunity to exercise full control,” Melkumyan said, addressing Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Vahram Dumanyan.

In response, the minister said he totally shares the concerns over the academic environment in universities.

“As for the National Academy of Sciences, the institutions are becoming more independent in this case. There are no problems with scientific institutions, which is very good. Funding will be provided directly to the institutions. As for the leadership, it essentially remains, it simply does not interfere in administrative and financial matters. The bill allows an academic institution to set up networks. These networks can form a coordination council, which can involve persons holding leadership positions,” the minister said.

Mikayel Melkumyan, in turn, called for an increase in funding for science in the state budget for 2022 to address the challenges facing the country. The education minister also agreed with the deputy.

“Now funding makes up one percent of the expenditures. We should expect up to four percent with the available funds, but it is unrealistic for now,” Dumanyan said.