Scientific innovation can make a difference for any economy and a newly implemented partnership between the State Engineering University of Armenia (SEUA) and Agroscience Research & Production Ltd., will most likely have positive impact right here in Armenia.

Agroscience Research & Production, which was founded in 2005, produces chemicals used in agriculture. This new partnership will help to further the production of insecticide. The contract between SEUA and Agroscience was the result of the continuous efforts of Aram Mikaelyan and his fellow ANSEF grant recipients whose research is based on the study and synthesis of new physiologically active chemicals and their power as insecticides. As a result of their investigations, the latest “Ciper Maxi” insecticide has been developed and tested at the Armenian Health Ministry’s Research Center for Environmental Health and Toxicology. It was also widely tested in different climate zones on Armenian territory and enclosed in the list of chemicals approved for use in Armenia.

The application of this chemical will not only promote local production but also spurn the creation of high quality and effective, ecologically safe agrochemicals.

During a recent event celebrating the contract, Agroscience Co-founder Vachagan Nushikyan and State Engineering University of Armenia Rector Ara Avetisyan addressed a visiting audience. Avetisyan stressed the importance of such partnerships saying, “Engineering research should be considered the most important component of Armenia’s future economic development. This has strategic value for Armenia’s scientific and educational development.”

During conference

Credit: State Engineering University of Armenia

FAR’s periodic interventions in the Shamshadin region of Tavush help a population that suffers greatly from social and economic hardship. In the most recent development, the Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program (CASP) has made it possible for children in the area’s school to receive healthy and nutritious lunches.

This region has had its share of tragedy, as it is situated along the longest frontier with neighboring Azerbaijan and many villagers have been killed in skirmishes over the years. Meanwhile, many members of the younger generation have left the area in search of jobs and greater stability.

The village of Chinari is located in the easternmost settlement of Shamshadin. Here there is one kindergarten with 25 children, which was established in 1942. Before a new building was constructed in 1990, the school was previously located in several private homes. Over the years, it has been temporarily closed time and again due to Azeri shelling. Its walls are pocket-marked by Azeri bullets.

“When the Azeris open fire I gather the children in this one room for shelter. I close the door and turn up the music so that they won’t hear the shots and get afraid. I’m the one who is most afraid, but not for myself. I’m afraid for the little ones. I’m responsible for their safety. Until they all return home safe and sound, I don’t rest,” says the Principal Aghasyan.

The most serious problem the kindergarten faces today is proving nutritious and adequate meals to children. Lack of adequate financial resources make it hard to ensure healthy, balanced meals for the kindergarten’s children. But recently, funds raised through the Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program (CASP) Advent by Candlelight Program will fund nutritious meals for 25 children at Chinari kindergarten, beginning this week. On behalf of Chinari Kindergarten kids and families, FAR would like to express its thanks to the Women’s Guild Central Council of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) for this benevolent initiative.

“Whenever they shoot towards the fields,
I put on some music and turn it up real loud so the
children don’t hear the shots,” said Parandzem Aghasyan,
principal of Chinari’s kindergarten

Credit: Edik Karapetyan

“This is an extraordinary achievement for the film. The film will have a huge exposure, and will reach countries that would have been difficult to reach.”

- Suzanne Khardalian

Via The Armenian Weekly

Al Jazeera English is an international round-the-clock English-language news and current affairs TV channel headquartered in Doha, Qatar. Launched in 2006, it reaches around a billion English-speaking viewers.

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A scene from ‘Grandma’s Tattoos’

Credit: The Armenian weekly

Watch the full film “Grandma’s Tattoos” at Al Jazeera:

By Gayane Mkrtchyan via ArmeniaNow.com

On January 15, a new initiative will be launched by “Let’s Save Teghut Forest” environmental group, with the intention of reversing a government order to allow further mining exploitation.

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Credit: ArmeniaNow.com