ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan received today Alexandra Cole, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Republic of Armenia.

The meeting was also attended by ESCS Deputy Minister Arthur Martirosyan and Head of the British Council Armenia Office Addeh Hovasapyan.

Zhanna Andreasyan welcomed the guests and underscored the strong and stable partnership between Armenia and the United Kingdom, emphasizing the importance of sustained cooperation amid ongoing systemic reforms.

Zhanna Andreasyan underscored the role of the British Council Armenia, characterizing it as an effective platform for advancing bilateral programs. She added that cooperation in the fields of education and culture has seen substantial progress.

During the meeting, the Minister presented the education reforms implemented in Armenia, in particular the pilot program for teaching artificial intelligence in high schools. She informed that the “Generation AI” multi-level educational program has been launched in Armenia since 2023, which aims to create an educational path for an artificial intelligence scientist and innovator, starting from high school to postgraduate level. As a successful example of AI integration in the educational system, Zhanna Andreasyan also mentioned the "STEP.ai-Artificial Intelligence" science and technology education program, which is implemented in cooperation with private IT companies and with the direct involvement of the state, including general education and secondary vocational educational institutions of the Republic of Armenia.

In this regard, the ESCS Minister highlighted the importance of the opportunity to share Armenia's experience in these areas and to study the experience of other countries during the upcoming World Education Forum. Zhanna Andreasyan also underscored the importance of discussions on the preparatory work for COP17, and the role of environmental education.

Referring to cultural cooperation, Zhanna Andreasyan particularly outlined the exhibition “Mother Deity: from Anahit to Mariam” organized in collaboration with the British Museum at the History Museum of Armenia in 2024, as an important and noteworthy component of the bilateral cultural agenda. As stated by the ESCS Minister, the exhibition not only attracted wide public interest but also laid a strong foundation for future joint initiatives. Special emphasis was also placed on the “Creative Spark” program implemented in universities.

At the end of the meeting, the parties reaffirmed their willingness to strengthen cooperation by organizing joint workshops, experience exchange programs, and professional trainings. The initiatives implemented in cooperation with the British Council and their outcomes were also addressed, particularly in the field of teacher training and promoting educational innovations.