Armenia improves position in UN's Global Innovation IndexAugust 16, 2016 - 17:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia has climbed one spot in the Global Innovation Index to rank the 60th among 128 countries against the 61st spot last year, with Switzerland, Sweden and Great Britain ranking highest on the list. The Global Innovation Index is an annual ranking of countries by their capacity for, and success in, innovation. Armenia is the only economy in the region which outperforms relative to its GDP. Mentioned among Armenia's strengths are ease of starting a business (5th spot overall), innovation efficiency ratio which is designed to assess the effectiveness of innovation systems and policies (15th), females employed with advanced degrees (24.7%, 5th spot overall) and other indicators. On the other hand, lack of high- and medium-high-tech manufacturers, low number of graduates in science and engineering, expenditure on education are listed among the country’s weaknesses. Turkey ranks 42nd, Georgia – 64th, Azerbaijan – 85th, Iran – 78th, while Russia comes in 43rd. Also, China has broken into the world's top 25 innovative economies for the first time this year, said the annual report by the UN's World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), INSEAD Business School and Cornell University. Other emerging economies are climbing the list, like India, which soared to 66th place from 81st a year earlier. According to the report, Yemen, Guinea and Togo are the least innovative countries in the world. Top stories David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Partner news | Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |