DUSHANBE, November 18, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- A ceremonial meeting dedicated to the 60th anniversary of Tajik Academy of Sciences took place at the Opera and Ballet Theater in Dushanbe on November 18.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon attended the meeting to congratulate Tajik scientists.  In his speech at the meeting, Emomali Rahmon called on Tajik researchers to develop international contacts and pay a special attention to using achievements of Tajik science to promote further development of the country’s economy, the presidential press service reports.   

Originally a part of the Soviet Academy of Sciences, the Tajik Academy of Sciences was established in 1951 as the Academy of Sciences of Tajik SSR, designated the highest scientific body in Tajik SSR and since 1991 in the Republic of Tajikistan.

As of 1991, the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan incorporated 19 research institutes and three territorial groupings: the Pamir Branch in the eastern part of the country (with 2 institutes), the Khujand Scientific Center in the north, and the Khatlon Scientific Center in the south-west.  The Academy is organized in three thematic divisions: physico-mathematical, chemical, and geological sciences; biological and medical sciences; humanities and social sciences.

The incumbent president is Academician M.I. Ilolov, elected in 2005.

We will recall that by government’s decree of September 16, 2010 a number of research institutes of the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan were merged, according to presidential press service.

Thus, the Institute of Geology and the Institute of Seismology and Antiseismic Construction were merged to form the Institute of Geology ad Seismology.

The Institute of Botany and the Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics were merged into the Institute of Botany, Plant Physiology and Genetics.

The Institute of State and Law and the Institute of Philosophy were merged to form the Institute of Philosophy, Political Sciences and Law.

The Institute of Demography and the Institute of Economy were merged into the Institute of Economy and Demography.

Besides, the Institute of Oriental Studies and Written Heritage and the Institute of Language and Literature were merged into the Institute of Language and Literature, Oriental Studies and Written heritage.

The decree also provides for establishment of the Center for Innovative Development of Science and Technologies under the Academy of Sciences and the Higher Attestation Commission (agency to oversee awarding of advanced academic degrees).