The Armenian ex-premier, Rector of Russian-Armenian Slavonic University, and Civilitas Foundation honorary board member Armen Darbinyan questioned the absolute necessity of a nuclear power plant (NPP) for Armenia in a public lecture at the University. He underlined that Armenia needs to give a serious thought to local NPP issue especially after the disaster in Japan. “Even Japan, with all of its technological development, failed to prevent that terrible disaster,” he said. “ Armenia, however, insists on having enough capacity to withstand a similar catastrophe. Our source of certainty is unclear, considering the country’s lack of relevant technologies. ”Darbinyan noted that the Armenian NPP’s operating period “cannot by any means be called a period of scientific and technological development in this field. ” He underlined the need for proper technological development in Armenia and offered to consider policy alternatives to the NPP, such as solar and wind power plants, to ensure a safer and more controllable energy environment in Armenia. The discussion also evolved around what lessons Armenia should extract from Japan’s case and the advantages other policy options entail.

Armen Darbinyan, Civilitas honorary board member is the rector of Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University, which launched the second semester of “Leadership school” for the managers of South-Caucasian Railways cjsc (SCR) on March 14th. The memorandum of establishing the school was originally signed in August 2009 by Mr. Darbinyan and the General Director of South Caucasian Railways Mr. Shaydullin.

In the second semester top-managers and young specialists of the company will focus on project management, client management, management of human resources, strategic management, taxes and taxation, communication skills and negotiating.