20th Anniversary of ARPA Institute

ARPA (Analysis, Research and Planning for Armenia) Institute was founded as a non-profit organization in 1992, during the early days of independence of the 3d Republic of Armenia. As its name implies ARPA provides analysis, research and planning services to help revitalize various sectors of the economy of Armenia, especially in education, health, and technology.
The principal founder of ARPA Institute Dr. Hagop Panossian, is a foreign member of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia and is a specialist in the field of applied dynamics and control systems. He is an innovator and his work is well-known in world scientific and engineering communities. One of Dr. Panossian’s innovations involves the engine control system design of the supersonic aircraft-rocket system, referred to as the Aerospike Engine.
Dr. Panossian is also the principal founder of the Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America (AESA), in 1983. He is thus emminently qualified to bring together and lead Diasporan scientific and engineering efforts in educatig the young and promoting innovation and high technology development in Armenia.
During the past 20 years, ARPA experts have worked closely with public organizations and the Government of Armenia, to help resolve numerous emerging problems and address critically important projects. Among those worth noting are the following:
· In 1992 ARPA helped organize the first energy conference in Yerevan, where the decision to restart the Medzamor Nuclear Power Plant was taken.
· ARPA experts reviewed and submitted their comments to the early drafts of the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia.
· In 1998 the Sarko Tilkian Blood Services Center – a modern, well-equipped blood bank – was established at the Erebouni hospital in Yerevan, mainly by the concerted efforts of Alice Runge. Through the efforts of Alice, the Global Healing organization financed the creation of a similar center in Gyumri.
· In 1998 ARPA implemented the Health Education and Lifestyle Program (HELP) in Armenia, with the leadership of Dr. Hrayr Karagueuzian of UCLA. More than 45000 students in 61 schools in Armenia and 27 schools in Artsakh have benefited from HELP. Recognizing the importance of the HELP, the ROA Ministry of Education and Science introduced a similar program as a mandatory part of the curriculum in all schools in Armenia.
· In 2008, in cooperation with the State Engineering University of Armenia (SEUA), ARPA organized a two-day Industrial and Residential Waste Management seminar in Yerevan. Local and Diasporan specialists discussed the issues facing the waste management system in Armenia and the urgency of developing legal methods to quickly resolve major issues.
· Six years ago ARPA initiated an annual “Invention Competition” for all university students in Armenia. The Competition has been received with great enthusiasm, and became an annual tradition. During the past six years, 62 inventions in various fields have been submitted and $20,000 in prizes were awarded to winners in different categories.
· Recently, ARPA implemented a “Distance Learning” program of lectures and seminars for the faculty and students of the State Engineering University of Armenia. Using state-of-the-art technology, ARPA has conducted five multi-session seminars with State Engineering University of Armenia (SEUA). ARPA also plans to expand the program to other universities in Armenia, such as the American University of Armenia and the Yerevan State University.
· ARPA has initiated a new project of establishing a modern DNA Center of Excellence in Armenia, for all public centers of research and higher education.
· ARPA teamed with the ROA Ministry of Culture, the Institute of Antiquities, and the Museums of Armenia to initiate the “E-Archeology” project. The goal of the project is to digitally document all archeological treasures, centuries-old national monuments, and priceless works of art that form the historical heritage of Armenians.
· Upon the request of the SEUA administration, ARPA will help furnish and equip an Energy Savings and Efficiency lab. The laboratory is meant to serve as a learning center for students, as well as for the country’s industrial and institutional enterprises and the public at large.
ARPA is well-known in the Armenian community of Los Angeles through its monthly lectures and panel discussions on various topics related to Armenia, the Diaspora, and the local community.
The past two decades have proven the fact that ARPA is an organization of zealous experts, a true follower of its mission, and capable of surrounding itself with selfless devotees.