R 250719Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY YEREVAN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8861

UNCLAS YEREVAN 000211 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM KPAO SCUL AM
SUBJECT:  13 UNIVERSITIES FAIL TO MAKE THE GRADE 
 
¶1.  Summary:  On February 26, the Armenian Ministry of Education and 
Science (MOES) revoked the operating licenses of 9 private 
universities and sanctioned 4 others due to their failure to meet 
basic requirements stipulated in the Law on Education.  Affected 
private university representatives complain that state support of 
public schools is often at the expense of private universities, and 
they have criticized the MOES for giving little warning of its 
decision.  While some preliminary arrangements have been made to 
transfer students from closed schools, the mechanism to do so has 
not yet been determined. Although the abruptness and timing of the 
decision are unfortunate, the move itself is positive, reflecting a 
greater emphasis by the GOAM on educational reforms and enforcement 
of educational standards.   End summary. 
 
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SEEKING EDUCATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
 
¶2.  On February 26, the Educational Programs Licensing Committee of 
the Ministry of Education and Science revoked the operating licenses 
of 9 private universities.  The decision effectively denies the 
status of "private educational institution" to the schools.  Another 
4 private universities are no longer able to offer certain 
specializations.  According to MOES representatives, the decision to 
revoke the universities' licenses was made based on the schools' 
failure to comply with requirements stipulated in the Law on 
Education.  Officials cited drastically decreased student enrollment 
due to lack of demand, corruption concerns, facilities that are not 
up to code, and the failure of universities to meet curriculum 
standards. 
 
¶3.  The Committee's decision reflects comments by top ranking GOAM 
representatives, who for several months have publicly advocated the 
need to reorganize the private higher education system.  The issue 
has received wide public resonance, and has been extensively covered 
by the national press.  RA Minister of Education Spartak Seyranyan, 
interviewed by Haylur TV on the subject, indicated that enforcing 
educational standards deters corruption and improves the credibility 
of institutes of higher education.  Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian, 
who has repeatedly stated that the educational sector is a 
government priority, declared public support for the Licensing 
Committee's findings.  He echoed Seyranyan's comments in a recent 
press conference, noting that "Our requirements for institutes of 
higher education must be tough and without exception" in order to 
ensure educational competitiveness in a global economy. 
 
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DOES ARMENIA REALLY NEED 100 UNIVERSITIES? 
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¶4.  The Committee's findings called into question the necessity of 
80 private institutions of higher education in a country of only 3 
million people, noting that the number of prospective university 
entrants has decreased.  (The decrease is most likely due to a 
1992-1994 demographic "baby bust" caused by hardships following 
independence, including a conflict with Azerbaijan).   MOES 
officials have noted that their concern also reflects the 
government's commitment to quality assurance at the higher education 
level, reflected in the working papers of the Bologna process.  This 
process requires a wide spectrum of educational reforms, including 
preventing corruption and meeting European curriculum standards. 
 
¶5.  While it is generally accepted that the infrastructures of many 
private universities suffer significant disrepair and courses and 
texts have been slow to change, many private school administrators 
note that state support of public schools often comes at the expense 
of their institutions.  They argue that the Armenian higher 
education system, in general, reflects a Soviet legacy where 
emphasis is placed on state-sponsored education.  (Note:  There are 
currently 20 state universities in Armenia, the strongest of which 
receive the most state support.  After independence, the market 
opened for private educational institutions. But while the MOES made 
accreditation procedures relatively uncomplicated, state support and 
private endowments were not forthcoming, and the status of degrees 
from private universities has remained dubious.) 
 
¶6.  Graduates of private universities are generally not as 
competitive for limited job opportunities in state institutions, and 
students of private universities do not have access to certain 
benefits that public school students enjoy.  For example, male 
students enrolled in private universities are subject to the 
military draft, whereas state-funded university students receive 
waivers until graduation.  This effectively reduces the number of 
qualified male applicants each year in private institutions. 
Additionally, state sponsored schools have begun to offer extension 
and evening programs, which appeal to many prospective students who 
would have traditionally entered private institutions.  The rectors 
of the 13 universities which have been affected stated that they 
have not violated any provisions of the Law on Education, and that 
they were given no warning to address MOES concerns.  They further 
indicated they intend to sue the MOES. 
 
¶7.  The Minister of Education and Science is expected to approve the 
Committee's findings, and the decision will be enforced immediately. 
Deputy Minister of Education Ara Avetisyan has assured "top 
students" at affected institutions that they will be offered the 
opportunity to continue their education at a university of their 
choice.  However, while the Council of Rectors representing state 
universities has expressed its support, it is not yet clear how this 
transfer will be organized. 
 
¶8.  Comment:  The closing of underperforming private universities is 
a welcome step toward quality assurance and meeting Bologna process 
obligations.  There remains an abundance of private institutions 
that provide access to higher education and do meet MOES standards. 
PAS continues to work with high achieving private universities by 
supporting their curriculum development and U.S. studies interests 
through PAS programming, including sponsoring Embassy speakers and 
through the Fulbright program.  End comment. 
 
Pennington