Whom Was Pashinyan Hinting At When He Spoke of Rectors Who Closed Doors on Students?

According to the "Zhoghavor" newspaper, the issue of overthrowing rectors who transformed universities into nests of the Republican Party and served the previous regime has been continuously discussed since the Velvet Revolution. In this context, the name of Artsakh State University rector and member of the Republican Party council, Aram Simonian, has been emphasized. It is noted that the rector considers himself persecuted for his political views.

Yesterday, during a cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Pashinyan addressed the issue of rectors. He stated, "The entire education system must be depoliticized, starting from higher education to the school system. Those rectors who have transformed the higher education system into party cells, the rectors who have closed doors on students, have no place in the New Armenia. This is my very clear position, and we should not be afraid to express it. Let the doors and the armchairs creak; they have no business in the New Armenia. They should go find work elsewhere, other jobs, other missions."

According to Pashinyan, a rector who has closed doors on students or politicized the educational process cannot continue to work in the Republic of Armenia. "The revolution began with this demand and will end with this demand. This is a political decision and must be implemented. No one should hope that we will forget why we gathered," he added.

Many believe that this statement was directed at Aram Simonian, the rector of Yerevan State University. Simonian, in response to the Prime Minister's statements, insisted that YSU does not close doors to students and that the Prime Minister did not specify any individuals; therefore, the comments do not relate to him.

Furthermore, it should be noted that this statement has not been well received by some students, who have been sharing videos from the Velvet Revolution period on social media since yesterday to demonstrate how doors were closed in their faces during the revolution.

“Zhoghavor” newspaper last night inquired with Arthur Israelyan, the secretary of the YSU Board of Trustees, about whom the Prime Minister's statement was addressed to. Israelyan stated that, in his opinion, the statement was made in general terms and that the Prime Minister did not have any particular individual in mind. When asked if it was possible for the Board of Trustees to convene again to discuss the rector's dismissal, he said, "There will be a meeting, but with a different agenda. We do not have such an agenda."

Interestingly, it should be recalled that the University of Economics was previously politicized, with its well-known Republican Party affiliations. Following the extraordinary parliamentary elections, in December, the rector of this university, Koryun Atoyan, submitted his resignation. The student council of Brusov State University of Languages and Social Sciences was also affiliated with the Republican Party.

You can read the full article in today's edition of the newspaper.