How Did You Create a Place for Aram, Gentlemen? - Sargis Meliksetyan

Armenian theater expert and literary scholar Sargis Meliksetyan writes on his Facebook page:

"Do we not need scholars and lecturers? In December of last year, I saw an article in one of the newspapers where the well-known Aram MP3 proudly stated that he had been drafted into the army and was going to fulfill his duty to the homeland. When asked if he knew where he would be serving, Aram answered negatively... But my story is not about Aram, rather it is about my brother, Vahe Meliksetyan, who is also a pharmacist by profession and, unlike Aram, was working in his field—teaching at the Yerevan State Medical University named after Mkhitar Heratsi, while simultaneously studying in the university's postgraduate program. He is the author of over ten scientific articles, including in prestigious foreign journals, and this year he was preparing to defend and obtain a Doctor of Sciences degree. He also worked at a well-known pharmaceutical company’s Armenian branch and several NGOs.

Why in the past tense? Because my brother was also drafted into the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia during the same period, participating in the lottery (unlike Aram) and ended up in one of the most remote military units of the Armed Forces of Armenia, making it practically impossible for him to combine his scientific work and teaching with military service.

We have repeatedly appealed to the Ministry of Defense to transfer my brother to a place that would allow him to continue his studies in postgraduate and teaching. The rector of YSMU also made a similar request, but all applications have been rejected on the grounds that there are no free places...

So how did you create a place for Aram, gentlemen?

Am I understanding correctly that we do not need scholar-lecturers?

P.S. I have nothing against Aram; in fact, I sometimes listen to his songs...

P.P.S. I believe it would be fairer to exempt my brother and other pharmacists from service than to provide Aram with such illegal security in Yerevan. Good service, boys..."

Human Rights Defender of Armenia
Ministry of Education and Science of Armenia
Ministry of Health of Armenia
Arsen Torosyan
Arayik Harutyunyan