Within the frames of the Memorandum of Understanding between the National Polytechnic University of Armenia and Starmus international festival, the Polytechnic University has hosted Novel Prize Laureate, former executive director of European Space Agency, chancellor of the International Space University, aerospace engineer Jean-Jacques Dordain.

Starmus speaker Jean-Jacques Dordain called his speech “Message of the Earth to the inhabitants of the Earth”. The aim is to encourage and educate the next generation of the researchers.

The meeting was held in crowded hall. While welcoming those present, Head of Division of Grants and Fundraising Ani Mamikonyan introduced the professor and assured that the meeting can establish new possibilities and platforms for the students.

Ani Mamikonyan has told the guest about the 90 years of history of the Polytechnic University, role of it in the economy of the country and the importance of it as being the only technological university of Armenia and hoped that new opportunities to meet Jean-Jacques Dordain are to come.

Jean-Jacques Dordain was born in 1946 in Lille. He graduated from Paris Ecole Centrale division of engineering in 1969 (the year Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon) and he started his scientific career in the sphere of rocket engines. From 1976 to 1983 he was coordinator of the French Aerospace Research Agency (ONERA) and then was appointed director for Physics.  He was one of 5 French aeronauts that were chosen for ESA Spacelab 1 program by CNES.

Jean-Jacques Dordain was the general director of European Space Agency from 2003-2015. During his functioning at ESA, Dordain developed connections with European Union and its institutions. He managed Ariane launchers as well as launched satellites for the observations of the Earth thus providing unique data to the scientific communities and control of Earth’s environment and climate changes.

While speaking about his career, Professor Jean-Jacques Dordain pointed out that he has learned much in the course of lecturing. He advised the Polytechnic University students and those interested in research to risk and never be afraid of undertakings as chance of mistakes to be made in the environment of fear is higher. In order to become a successful scientist, one should believe in himself-herself and do everything with the feeling of interest and observation.

At the end of the meeting, many questions were posed by Polytechnic University members, and the professor was ready to answer them all and highlighted the main goals of his speech was to encourage students and researchers to immerse in science.

Starmus VI held on September 5-10 was dedicated to 50 years on Mars. The festival focuses on astrology, space research, music, arts and science. The founder of the festival is astrophysicist Garik Israyelyan of Armenian origin. Many famous astronauts were among the participants of the festival, more than 50 prominent scientists, Nobel Prize Laureates, engineers and artists.