5 minute read
YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 17, ARMENPRRESS: From 2005 Armenia affiliates with Bologna process. About the investment difficulties, prospects and opportunities afforded by the educational system Armenpress interviewed Armenian Education and Science Minister Armen Ashotyan.
-It is for several years the education in Armenia is realized by an educational system corresponding to the Bologna process. How efficient was its introduction into the higher educational establishments of Armenia?
-The Armenian Education and Science Minister signed in 2005 the Bergen Communique of the education ministers of Bologna member-states, by which Armenia assumed the responsibility of accomplishing the implementation of the main principles of Bologna process by 2010 and to become the part of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). The integration to EHEA suggests implementation of radical changes in the higher educational system of Armenia to make it corresponding to the requirements of Bologna process.
-Was the passage to the credit system slight? What obstacles have been registered, and what are the tasks for future?
-In 2005 the Armenian government confirmed the decision on introduction of the credit system into the higher educational system of Armenia, after which concrete steps were undertaken in the direction of organization of the higher education in credit system.
In 2006 on the decision of the government the timetable of implementation of the principles of Bologna process was confirmed. There were numerous factors and issues hindering the introduction of the credit system, but the main part of them was conditioned by the “rough” curriculums and dominance of lecturer-centric methods inherited from the soviet system. The other part of the factors was conditioned by the solitude from the foreign world.
In 2010 the summit of the ministers of the Bologna process participant states declared the official start of the European Higher Education Area intended by Bologna Declaration, which suggests full and complete introduction of the European credit system into the higher education of the participant countries. Currently works are being carried out in the direction of registration of the academic data of students and introduction of automotized systems of management.
-The majority of the states signed the Bologna process provides quite a large scholarship to students. With which is conditioned the low scholarship defined for the local students? Is the news that from 2012 no student allowances will be registered correspond to reality?
-No concrete amount of student scholarships is defined by the Bologna process? Every country is free in defining scholarships and allowances. In the given case maybe the speech is about the strategy of funding of the higher education, which really needs principal reconstruction.
-How many students leave to get education abroad, and how much is the Armenian student competitive abroad?
-In 2010 within the framework of interstate agreements about 200 RA citizens went on a business trip to Russian, China, Syria, Rumania, and Bulgaria to get education in different educational degrees. The RA citizens getting education abroad within the framework of interstate agreements are highly competitive abroad. The RA citizens sent on a business trip by the Ministry of Education and Science pass to the contest with strict choice, as the scholarship places are limited. The applicants take exams on the corresponding subjects and pass a round of interview. The experience of the past 10 years shows that no student sent on a trip abroad has stopped the education because of low progress. The RA citizens display special successes in technical professions, especially in mathematics, physics and medical sciences. The positive response of the diplomatic missions working in Armenia speaks about it.
-What is the role of the Armenian Ministry of Education and Science in ensuring the education of Armenian students?
-The Armenian citizens sent on a business trip within the framework of the interstate agreements learn for free, as well as scholarships, textbooks and apartments are provided. In case of necessary cases the Ministry displays continuous support to the students sent on a business trip by them.