The signing ceremony of documents aimed at enhancing and advancing cooperation in the field of higher education was held between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia and the Embassy of the French Republic in Armenia.

RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Republic of Armenia Olivier Decottignies, ESCS Deputy Minister Arthur Martirosyan, Chairman of the Higher Education and Science Committee Sargis Hayotsyan, heads of universities and other representatives of the field attended the event.

Minister Zhanna Andreasyan greeted the attendees and emphasized that collaboration between Armenia and France in the field of higher education is a priority for the governments of the two countries.

“To this end, we have planned to sign a number of documents, which will provide an opportunity for two universities of Armenia - the National Agrarian University of Armenia and the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography, to strengthen ties and enhance cooperation between the French University in Armenia and the French Institute, respectively,” said Zhanna Andreasyan.

Referring to the potential of cooperation, the Minister, in particular, noted that Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography, as a Francophone university, will have a new opportunity to implement new initiatives, strengthen ties, and give impetus to the internationalization of the university in cooperation with the French Institute, which will be mutually beneficial.

In this context, Zhanna Andreasyan also emphasized the significance of hosting the International 2027 Francophonie Sports and Cultural Games in Armenia, which will foster the Francophone environment and the implementation of new programs.

The Minister emphasized the critical need of the RA Government for advancing agricultural education and executing promising initiatives in this area.

“Last year, many important decisions were made aimed at the development of agricultural education. In the context of “Academic City”, it is intended to develop a new concept for the comprehensive transformation of the university and agricultural education. We are confident that this collaboration will help strengthen ties with the French university in Armenia and at the same time give impetus to education reform in the agricultural sector, fostering the organization of education in certain educational programs, including in professions requiring technological knowledge in the field of marketing and precision farming,” informed the Minister.

She stated that the draft law “On Higher Education and Science” is currently under circulation, setting new standards for transparency and accountability in university administration, and collaboration will facilitate the exchange of beneficial experiences.

“The French University, regarded as the result of the combined efforts of the governments of Armenia and France, is one of the participants in the reform of higher education in Armenia,” stated the Minister.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Armenia Olivier Dicottignies also highlighted the dynamics of the development of bilateral relations: “Cultural and educational cooperation between Armenia and France is developing, and efforts in this direction are priceless. The joint work of the National Agrarian University of Armenia and the French University in Armenia, as well as the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography and the French Institute, is laying a new basis for cooperation.”

He, in particular, noted that the agricultural sector is a priority for the governments of Armenia and France, so it is important that the fields of higher education and science have a key role in this field.

Subsequently, the signing of cooperation documents was held:

• “Agreement between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia and the Embassy of the French Republic in the Republic of Armenia on the provision of territory for the activities of the French Institute in Armenia”, signed by Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia Zhanna Andreasyan and Ambassador of France to the Republic of Armenia Olivier Decottignies.

• The “Cooperation Agreement between Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography and the French Institute of Armenia” was signed by the Rector of the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography Sarah Nalbandyan and Director of the French Institute of Armenia Xavier Richard.

• The “Agreement between the RA ESCS Higher Education and Science Committee and the Embassy of the French Republic in Armenia on University Cooperation in the field of Agricultural Education” was signed by the Chairman of the RA ESCS Higher Education and Science Committee Sargis Hayotsyan, and the Ambassador of the French Republic to Armenia Olivier Decottignies.

• The Memorandum of Understanding between the National Agrarian University of Armenia and the French University in Armenia “On Cooperation to Enhance the Quality of Education and International Competitiveness in the Agricultural Sector in Armenia" was signed by the Acting Rector of the National Agrarian University of Armenia Hrachya Zakoyan and Rector of the French University in Armenia Salwa Nacouzi.

According to the Acting Rector of the Agrarian University Hrachya Zakoyan, the pace of world development requires enhanced cooperation: “The Agrarian University prioritizes the advancement of the republic's agriculture through the training of specialists with higher education. Through this collaboration, we are starting the process of introducing the French experience in organizing higher education in agriculture to Armenia.”

Rector of Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography Sarah Nalbandyan noted that the university has been collaborating with the French Institute and the French Embassy in Armenia for two years: “We have recently signed an agreement under which we will start collaborating with the ACTS Paris Academy of Contemporary Dance in November to issue double diplomas specializing in contemporary dance. I greatly appreciate the quality we will achieve in the scope of this collaboration since our students and professors possess the capacity to attain international standards at a particular point,” stated the YSITC Rector.