Within the working visit to Germany RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan met with Leipzig Mayor Burkhard Jung to discuss existing and potential cooperation.
Director of the Leipzig Book Fair Astrid Böhmisch also attended the meeting. The Armenian delegation includes Chairman of the NA Standing Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Diaspora, Youth and Sports Sisak Gabrielyan and Chairman of the Higher Education and Science Committee Sargis Hayotsyan.
The significance of fostering bilateral ties was highlighted during the meeting. It was emphasized that Yerevan and Leipzig are twin towns in this context, which opens up new opportunities for strengthening collaboration. In particular, the importance of establishing direct ties between vocational and higher education institutions in Yerevan and Leipzig, as well as public schools, was emphasized. The possibilities of implementing exchange programs and jointly applying for international educational programs were considered.
Armenia's possible participation in the Leipzig Book Fair was also discussed at the meeting. The Minister invited the German side to Armenia for the Yerevan International Book Fest in September to discuss cooperation prospects. Regarding cultural cooperation, the parties considered organizing joint concerts, creating appropriate platforms for young performers, and other related topics.
The potential installation of a memorial plaque in the courtyard of the apartment where the renowned Armenian writer Avetik Isahakyan used to live during his studies in Leipzig was under consideration.
Accompanied by Deputy Director Julia Herzberg, the Armenian delegation also paid a visit to the Leibniz Research Institute for the History and Culture of Eastern Europe (GWZO) and got acquainted with its activities and infrastructures. The parties considered the possibility of having a joint scholarship program in Armenian studies. Additionally, the ESCS Minister suggested considering the possibility of joint participation of German and Armenian researchers in the Higher Education and Science Committee's programs for foreign scientists.
In Leipzig, the delegation headed by the ESCS Minister also met with the Vice-Mayor, Head of the Youth, Schools and Democracy Department Vicky Felthaus. Youth exchange opportunities, as well as cooperation between the Student Council under the ESCS Minister and one of the youth organizations of Leipzig, were discussed in terms of mutual visits and execution of various programs
The German side was also interested in Armenia's technology education experience, particularly in Tumo Center for Creative Technologies, Armat laboratories, COAF centers, and teaching chess in schools.
Prospects for cooperation in the field of youth policy were also discussed with youth centers that have a CoE quality label. In particular, topics regarding the implementation of exchange and capacity-building programs in cooperation with newly opened youth centers in Armenia were addressed. The ESCS Minister emphasized that one of the key priorities of Armenia's youth policy is collaborating and enhancing ties with the European youth centers network, which will also contribute to enhancing capacities.
ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan also visited the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Armenia in Saxony, and met with the Prime Minister of Saxony-Anhalt Michael Kretschmer.
