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The governments of Armenia and Montenegro signed an agreement on cooperation in the fields of education, science and innovation on July 31.
The agreement was signed by Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan and Montenegro’s Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Anđela Jakšić-Stojanović. Armenian Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Artur Martirosyan also attended the meeting.
According to a statement issued by Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, the document provides for the exchange of experience, implementation of the principles of the Bologna Process, encouragement of initiatives contributing to the development of the European Higher Education Area, and expanded cooperation on modernising the two countries’ national education systems.
The sides agreed to promote cooperation between educational, scientific and innovation institutions, develop academic mobility and expand joint participation in international education and research programmes.
Welcoming Jakšić-Stojanović, Andreasyan stressed the importance of developing bilateral cooperation, noting that the agreement creates a strong institutional foundation for a long-term partnership.
It was noted that Armenia and Montenegro have all the necessary conditions to establish practical and results-oriented cooperation by developing direct links between universities, scientific organisations and young researchers.
According to Andreasyan, the agreement will create new opportunities for students, lecturers, scientists and researchers from both countries, promoting knowledge exchange and the further development of cooperation.
During the meeting, Andreasyan presented the main directions of Armenia’s education reforms, including the state programme for the development of education through 2030, the digital transformation of education, infrastructure and school construction programmes, and the introduction of artificial intelligence into the education system.
She highlighted the AI Generation and STEP.AI education programmes implemented in upper secondary schools, as well as the multi-level AI Generation initiative aimed at training artificial intelligence specialists from school through postgraduate education.
In this context, Andreasyan said that, through cooperation between the ministry and OpenAI, the ChatGPT Edu tool will become available to Armenia’s education community from September, providing around 50,000 subscriptions for students, lecturers and researchers.
Referring to the Academic City project, the minister said it aims to establish an education, research and innovation environment meeting international standards, bringing higher education, science and innovation together on a single platform.
It was also emphasised that Armenia is interested in expanding cooperation with international partners, including Montenegro, within the framework of the project.
Jakšić-Stojanović thanked the Armenian side for the reception and stressed the importance of deepening cooperation with Armenia.
The meeting also addressed Armenia’s successful experience in non-formal education. Jakšić-Stojanović expressed interest in the possibility of introducing the TUMO Centre for Creative Technologies model in Montenegro.
In response, Andreasyan noted that TUMO’s education programme is already operating successfully in several countries and continues to expand internationally. She expressed Armenia’s readiness to support the exchange of experience.
The Armenian and Montenegrin ministers also discussed opportunities to implement joint education and research programmes, expand the mobility of students, lecturers and young researchers, develop cooperation in vocational education and training (VET), and broaden cooperation within Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe.