To attract funds, science first of all needs public support, according to the head of the Armenian Astronomical Society (ArAS).

“The Armenian government allocates 0,8% of the national budget funds for the development of science while in developed countries the sum makes at least several per cent,” Areg Mikaelyan told a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter.

He also noted that the governmental support to science will hardly increase during the coming years. “To reach an international level, science needs at least 20 per cent of budgetary financing. Nevertheless, international organizations can become an alternative financing source for the science, specifically astronomy,” Mikaelyan said.