R 070945Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY YEREVAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8496

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000005 
 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PHUM KPAO SCUL AM
ECA FOR MICELA IOVINE 
 
SUBJECT:  Government of Armenia Considering Full Scholarships for 
Students of "Top Schools" Abroad 
 
REF: 08 YEREVAN 000831 
 
------- 
Summary 
------- 
¶1. Summary:  In summer 2008, the Prime Minister's office announced a 
proposal for a scholarship program offering funding to Armenian 
citizens and Diaspora Armenians for university studies abroad.  The 
program, still in its nascent stages, encompasses a potentially wide 
range of scholarship opportunities at the most prominent and 
competitive universities in the world.  U.S, Russian and European 
universities are included in the list.  The strategy paper also 
recommends the development of "AR-Net," an alumni and youth 
leadership association.  Funding for the program is proposed as a 
public -private partnership between the GOAM, NGOs and individual 
donors, and is to be administered by a private fund.  Debate on the 
program is set for this year and requires further development and 
input from various sectors.  End summary. 
 
---------------- 
Seeing the Light 
---------------- 
¶2. In June 2008, the Prime Minister's office announced the 
development of a strategy paper entitled "Supporting Armenian 
Citizens and Diaspora Armenians Studying at Advanced Universities 
and Science and Education Centers of the World." The paper was based 
on the assumption that Armenia's strength lies in its intellectual 
potential.  This language echoes sentiments often publically 
expressed by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian (Reftel), who has 
pointed to the important role Armenian education has played in 
maintaining national identity, bringing economic progress, and 
forging cultural unity.  The paper, also called the "Light Program" 
is a grassroots initiative based on the Prime Minister's discussions 
with university students, academics, and intellectuals, and was 
developed by Artur Ishkhanyan, a member of the National Academy of 
Sciences.  Ishkhanyan presented the "Light Program" to the 
President's Office in December 2007.  The project has been endorsed 
by all relevant ministries. 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
Financing the Future - From Student to Alumnus 
--------------------------------------------- - 
¶3. The 6-page document outlines the GOAM's desire to encourage 
Armenians to study at the world's top schools at the undergraduate 
through post-doctoral levels by providing them with generous funding 
for the duration of their studies.  Funding is to include tuition, 
room and board, training materials, medical insurance, workshop 
funds, professional development expenses, travel to Armenia up to 
two times per year, funding for educational and cultural activities 
in Armenia, funding for research initiatives, and monies for 
organizing events with an Armenian content while abroad.   There are 
no restrictions on specialties or majors.  Scholarship applications 
for all post-high school academic programs are to be accepted on a 
rolling basis, and a decision is to be made on an application within 
30 calendar days.  Emphasis is on Armenia's youth.  No one over 40 
is eligible for a scholarship. 
 
¶4. The proposed list ranking foreign educational institutions 
includes the "top 15 educational institutions" from the U.S., 
Russia, and Europe, along with other educational institutions with 
high ranking specialties from those three mentioned regions.  For 
the U.S., the GOAM proposes to use the rankings provided by U.S. 
News & World Report.  In the case of Russia, the Russian Federal 
Agency of Education rankings will be used.  For Europe, the Times 
Higher Education rankings will be employed.  In the event that 
different lists suggest stronger specialties at divergent schools, 
the paper states that the European rankings will prevail.  No 
universities outside of the U.S., Russia or Europe are currently 
under consideration. 
 
¶5. The program is wide-ranging in scope, and also includes the 
intention to maintain contacts with active alumni in professional 
fields.  The paper also includes the establishment of "AR-Net," a 
network of "highly qualified, forward-looking leaders" who will 
"strengthen pro-Armenian thinking" and conduct classroom courses, 
promote new media outreach, staff an information center, encourage 
professional development, assist with strategic education planning, 
and organize leadership seminars. 
 
------------------ 
Sources of Funding 
------------------ 
¶6. Funding for the program is proposed as a public - private 
partnership between the GOAM, NGOs and individual donors.  The paper 
notes that NGOs and private individuals may provide financing for 
specific studies and have their names reflected in the scholarship, 
provided that the programs occur at a top university.  The 
scholarship program is to be administered by the "Luys" (Light) 
Private Fund which, while nominally independent, "operates actively 
in the foreign policy of the GOAM in the area of science and 
education."  While not yet officially announced, according to 
Iskhanyan, the head of the fund's Board of Trustees will be 
President Sargsian.  The Prime Minister is also a member of the 
board.  Other board members are yet to be determined. 
 
¶7. This fund would also develop a long-term action plan in 
conjunction with stakeholder groups, including the GOAM.  Revenues 
for the fund would be generated through allocations from the 
national budget, NGO and private donations, and other miscellaneous 
sources of funding.  According to Iskhanyan, there has already been 
a state allocation of 54 million dram to the fund.  Over forty NGOs, 
private organizations/companies and individuals have reportedly 
committed to donate funds to the project.  The fund would carry out 
scholarship competitions, identify qualified youth, and establish 
agreements with foreign educational institutions "with high ranking" 
in order to solidify the program. 
 
¶8. The initiative is awaiting Cabinet approval.  If it is not 
approved, another cycle of debate on the proposed scholarship 
program is expected over the next year.  The Ministry of Education, 
which did not provide extensive input into the original proposal, 
has expressed interest in providing counsel.  How many students 
might participate in the program, what the overall budget will be, 
and how the board of directors will operate will be examined by the 
Cabinet and a future board. (Note:  We hope to provide input into 
the school selection process, and to secure as many U.S. schools on 
the list as possible.  A determining factor will be the level of 
student interest and acceptance rates from U.S. universities.  The 
Embassy Public Affairs Section is also considering how the 
establishment of a Fulbright Commission and student program for 
Armenian citizens could potentially be incorporated into the 
proposal.  A Fulbright student program for Armenians does not 
currently exist and, while it would not be limited to 15 
universities, may be feasible with GOAM partner funding after 
further discussions.  End note). 
 
Yovanovitch