DUSHANBE, 21.12.2018 (NIAT Khovar) — The Center for Strategic Studies (CSS) held today a roundtable titled focusing on the role of youth in strengthening the national statehood.

Scientists, representatives of related ministries and departments and other officials attended the roundtable.

“According to statistics, 73% of men and 27% of women today are engaged in sciences, that is, they are either perusing graduate degrees or have already earned doctoral degrees and are working in their fields,” the Chief Specialist at the CSS Safarjon Azizov noted in his speech.

He also added that the percentage of female scientists has increased in recent years.

The National Development Strategy of Tajikistan until 2030 clearly prioritizes the promotion of science, in particular engineering, as well as technical and natural sciences.

“Today in Tajikistan, young people are mostly eager to study the basic sciences, but we need to redirect the youth toward the right direction for the state. Tajikistan needs good economists, engineers, technologists and skilled workers,” said Azizov.

Though effort is made to attract young people to science, one of the factors influencing them to go into other fields are the low stipends for science majors.

“In 2010, the state stipends were 130 somoni. The following yea, they increased to 424 somoni. Despite the fact that the stipends have increased, they still remain insufficient to attract young people to the sciences,” Safarjon Azizov added.