Closing Conference-2024: scientific event at YSU

The three-day conference summarized the closing conferences and meetings held in March and April at YSU scientific divisions – scientific centers, laboratories and various faculties.

YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, speaking about the conference organized for the first time in such a format, noted: "In recent years, the state's funding to the science sector has increased significantly, which is expressed by salary increases, the purchase of various equipment, the re-equipment of infrastructure and laboratories, the allocation of thematic grants, etc. As a responsible community, we consider it necessary to be accountable by demonstrating how these allocated finances have been managed."

Referring to grant programs, the YSU rector emphasized that it is planned to increase the number of internal science education grants in the university.

"From September 1, nearly 10 new grant programs will be launched totaling almost 100 million AMD. It should be noted that part of the domestic grants is allocated to the reform of educational programs since education and science must develop in line with each other," the rector said, emphasizing the priority of continuous improvement of the quality of education and educational programs.

Hovhannes Hovhannisyan also pointed out the importance of YSU researchers’ participation in international and local scientific conferences and symposia, considering it a good opportunity to gain new knowledge and integrate it into the educational process.

Speaking about university researchers’ articles published in prestigious journals, Rafayel Barkhudaryan, Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs at YSU, noted that in 2023, the number of YSU publications in the international scientific database "Scopus" increased, reaching a total of 404.

"This is a notable index, which holds significant importance for all of us. Nowadays, the trend of publishing articles abroad has increased. It is noteworthy that YSU accounts for an average of 20-30 percent of the total number of publications in prestigious international journals every year," stated R. Barkhudaryan. 

Currently, YSU has 99 thematic grant programswith a total budget of 4.7 billion AMD. Moreover, there are 11 leading research programs funded by the Higher Education and Science Committee of MoESCS RA, about which Artur Movsisyan, Deputy Chairman of the committee, presented in more detail. 

"Paying attention to the financing and distribution of grant programs, a significant increase is noticeable, which is aimed at the advancement of scientific life. I assure you that funding and existing grant programs will continue to be expanded," he said. 

The deputy chairman of the committee also answered the questions of YSU researchers regarding the rationale behind funding allocations for research programs and other related issues. 

Lusine Aloyan, Head of the Chair of Molecular Physics at YSU Institute of Physics, pointed out the significance of the conference: "Sometimes even two laboratories operating in one faculty or research institute, are unaware of each other’s activities. Therefore, such conferences are pivotal for collaborating and being helpful to each other."

Beneficiaries of YSU internal grants presented their reports at the conference, presenting their experience and opportunities.

It is noteworthy that YSU keeps in the spotlight the reconstruction and re-equipment of educational and scientific laboratories, attaching importance to the improvement of the environment as a prerequisite for the development of scientific and educational life. Recently, a number of laboratories at the Faculty of Chemistry have been renovated and furnished, new equipment has been received, old equipment has been replaced with new equipment, and a "clean room" has been built in the Center for Semiconductor Devices and Nanotechnology at the YSU Research Institute of Physics.