British Council and Armenian education ministry sign memorandum of understanding

Armenia’s Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Zhanna Andreasyan, met the British Council’s Deputy Chief Executive, Kate Ewart-Biggs.

According to the ministry, the meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister Kristina Tataryan, the United Kingdom’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Armenia, Alexandra Cole, British Council Deputy Director Christian Duncumb, and the head of the British Council’s office in Armenia, Addeh Hovassapian.

“The meeting covered a range of issues concerning bilateral cooperation. Discussions addressed the progress achieved through cooperation in recent years in general and higher education, as well as expanding activities in the arts, culture and international cooperation,” the statement said.

Welcoming the delegation led by Ewart-Biggs, Andreasyan stressed the importance of the longstanding partnership between Armenia and the British Council, particularly in English language teaching, institutional cooperation within the Academic City programme, and culture and youth affairs.

“The British Council has been one of the main partners in the educational reforms taking place in Armenia in recent years. We jointly implement programmes that are in high demand among beneficiaries and have a significant impact on the quality of education. Our shared experience in developing teachers’ professional skills could also offer lessons for other countries,” the minister said, expressing hope that the areas of cooperation would expand.

The two sides discussed opportunities to broaden cooperation between Armenian and British universities and develop the capabilities of school leaders and education management specialists.

Ewart-Biggs said this was her first visit to Armenia and that she was impressed by the country’s culture. She also emphasised the importance of deepening cooperation across various sectors, building on existing successful experience.

The meeting also addressed cultural heritage and the creative industries.

It concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding. Both sides affirmed that it would promote the continuation and strengthening of cooperation.