The National Polytechnic University of Armenia and the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure have organized a round table-discussion on “Climate change and sustainable development”. The main goal of the meeting was to address climate change trends and identify sustainable development issues in education, innovative engineering solutions, renewable and green energy, calamity risk management, efficient use of water resources, implementation of monitoring and early warning systems as well as other areas.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia, the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, the Embassy of the Swiss Confederation in Armenia, the Armenian Office of the World Bank, the United Nations Development Program, the United States Agency for International Development, the Energy Saving Fund, the Renewable Energy and Energy Saving Fund of Armenia, “Solaron” LLC. and leadership and representatives of the Polytechnic University population and a number of other organizations and departments.
Welcoming the participants of the meeting, NPUA Rector Gor Vardanyan has pointed out that such discussions are extremely important for the Polytechnic University, due to the fact that all over the world, any change and innovative idea, any challenge arising due to science can be settled through the formation of relevant institutions and the of education management. the rector pointed out that results can be recorded when the state, the state’s commitment, international partners and educational systems work together, complementing each other, and each in its place.
“Being a technological university, the Polytechnic University has a number of infrastructures, which can carry out functions that will combat global challenges, as the problem is not only the population of Armenia, but also the global humanity, and the result can be generated by the effective use of human resources globally.
“We frequently talk about the idea of climate change and sustainable development, but often neither the professional community nor humanity in general understands its essence, or what the sustainable development program or climate change is. These challenges can be handled and succeeded by pooling appropriate resources and developing new technologies.
Recently, the Polytechnic University has implemented many projects in this direction along with its international partners, and this meeting-discussion aims to understand the role of the educational institution in these functions. Reforms are often not carried out in the educational institutions for one simple reason: the institution does not realize or understand its role in this process,” Rector G. Vardanyan pointed out.
The Rector has also underlined one important fact that education at the Polytechnic University starts from preschool years and continues up to three levels of higher education. “I believe that we will be successful if the ideas of sustainable development are included in the programs from pre-school education to higher education. Any desirable change can take place if the person carrying it out has received that kind of education in time and has an appropriate understanding,” G. Vardanyan pointed out.
The rector, being the head of an educational organization, expressed his hope that as a result of the dialogue of the professional community and the establishment of new bridges, the role of the Polytechnic University as a leading scientific research institution will be clearly underlined. He expressed hope that there will be many opportunities to hold meetings within the frames of the university’s 90th anniversary-related events.
RA Deputy Minister of Economy Ani Ispiryan has also welcomed this initiative and urged those present to demonstrate active involvement. “I agree with the opinion expressed by the Rector Vardanyan that educational institutions are the supporters of the government in promoting its development programs. As you know, the development of a sustainable green economy is one of the priorities of the government. In this case, we have partners in both governmental and private systems, but we face the problem of lack of personnel,” A. Ispiryan pointed out.
When speaking about the scientific component, the deputy minister underlined that there are difficulties here as well, because the ministry often turns to international partners to carry out various studies or researches. A. Ispiryan has also expressed hope that the Polytechnic University community can also be a supporter in this matter, and for that reason, cooperation should be developed and maintained.
RA Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Vache Terteryan underlined that efficient, cost-saving energy technologies, alternative energy technologies, earthquake-resistant construction and other issues are often being discussed, but we have a problem of specialists that possess knowledge and competence, because times and norms have changed. The Deputy Minister underlined that specialists in the above-mentioned fields are being prepared at the Polytechnic University and in order to have competitive specialists, the university should be supported in shaping new methodological and scientific capabilities, improving education provided and raising awareness as well.
In his closing speech, NPUA Vice-Rector for Pre-University Education Elbak Elbakyan highlighted the possibilities of implementing the collaborative program and expressed his gratitude to all for their active participation. Addressing those present, he pointed out that without them the work carried out in this direction would not be sufficient. The Vice-rector E. Elbakyan addressed the main directions in which cooperation can be developed, and these are: establishment of a center or laboratory, development of educational programs, and implementation of training courses.
They have decided to organize a working group that will eventually specify the future directions of cooperation.