Today, the official ceremony of awarding the winners of the "Best Student 2020" competition was held at the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports which was attended by the ESCS Minister Vahram Dumanyan, Deputy Ministers, rectors and university students. At the beginning of the event, the participants observed a minute of silence in memory of the heroes who fell during the last Artsakh war.

Presenting the certificates and gifts to the winners, the ESCS Minister Vahram Dumanyan noted that winning in the "Best Student" competition is a reason to be proud of, but at the same time it is an important precondition for responsibility and re-evaluating the acquired experience and continuing success in a new way.

“The aim of the competition is also to identify and encourage university students who have shown higher academic performance and have been more active in their respective professional fields. It’s of great importance to raise the competitiveness among the university students within the framework of this competition, which is conducive to advance qualitative progress, expansion of interests, promotion of opportunities for self-expression, and discovery of skills. Dear young men, on the way to building the future, we are your best partner, supporter and sponsor. In the establishment and advancement of our state we have much to do shoulder to shoulder.

Do not spare any effort to become a leader in your preferred field, give a new touch, and create a better future. I note with deep sorrow and regret that our students also did not spare their lives in the name of the Motherland and became heroes. You must now double your efforts to become the holders of their lost future. Not only those presents are considered to be the best. You are the representatives of the best, because we have a wonderful youth and students. You should realize that you are the true owners of this country and lead our country to development and advancement. Our security begins with education: we must ensure our safety with thoughts and ideas,” noted Vahram Dumanyan, wishing the students unfailing energy, high responsibility, love and devotion to their preferred field.

The participants of the event were also greeted by the ESCS Deputy Minister, Chairman of the Competition Commission Artur Martirosyan, who noted that the commission had difficulties in choosing the best nominees, as the competition was held in fairly competitive conditions. “We decided to hold the competition despite the challenges, our country has faced, namely the pandemic and Artsakh war, because especially in such a situation, the role of knowledge is particularly underlined. Now, more than ever, the students must study harder to develop an educated and competent society and a developed state,” noted the Deputy Minister.

Konstantin Yenkoyan, the competition committee member and vice-rector of Yerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi, introduced the principle of selecting the best nominees. Rector of Gavar State University Ruzanna Hakobyan and Acting Rector of the National Polytechnic University of Armenia Ruben Agհgashyan also greeted and congratulated the best students․

The competition was held according to Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in 7 fields: Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Armenian Studies, Humanities, Medicine, Engineering, Culture and Sports. The winners of the competition were 38 students from 16 HEIs of the Republic. The scholarship of 415.000 AND will be awarded to 13 students who took the 1st place. The students who took the 2nd place will be awarded 305.000 AMD. 12 students who took the 3rd place will receive a scholarship in the amount of 220,000 drams. In addition, the Ministry prepared gifts for students in the form of books, which were published by means of the grants of the departments.
The ceremony was accompanied by the performance of the jazz quartet of the State Jazz Orchestra of Armenia and Ghazaros Saryan String Quartet of the State Symphony Orchestra of Armenia.

During the event a student’s exhibition was organized by Yerevan State Vocational School №8 (on cooking), Yerevan State College of Humanities (rug making and carpet weaving), Yerevan State College of Light Industry (design and sewing technology), Yerevan State Vocational School of Ornamental Art (artistic wood processing and jewelry), Yerevan State College of Informatics (mechatronics and robotics), Vayots Dzor Regional State College (winemaking and artistic wood processing), Ararat State College (wine making).