13 UNIVERSITIES FAIL TO MAKE THE GRADE

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
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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