Yerevan State University is not Nikol Pashinyan's Store: YSU Student Council President to Vahram Dumanyan

The interim Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports, Vahram Dumanyan, met with members of the Yerevan State University (YSU) Scientific Council to discuss the current situation in universities.

“You hold this position thanks to a political team that came to power promising that rectors in universities should be elected by 100 percent of students and faculty. Now we are seeing a completely different picture,” said David Apoyan, President of the YSU Student Council, addressing Vahram Dumanyan.

“Have you discussed all this with your leader, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan? What response did he give you regarding all this? If there will be an opportunity in the future for you to be present at a meeting with those making the decisions, convey to him that Yerevan State University is not Nikol Pashinyan’s store. Make sure to convey it just like that; they will understand what the President of the YSU Student Council means,” emphasized David Apoyan.

It is worth noting that the government has made a decision to approve a draft to amend the procedure for the formation of management councils of public higher education institutions. Accordingly, the number of members in management councils will be reduced from 32 to 20, with 55% being appointed by the government, 10% by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports, 10% by the university’s faculty, and 25% by the student body.

Additionally, it has been reported that the government’s decision will also be challenged in the Constitutional Court by Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan.