Government Decision Halts Operations of Goris Branch of Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinema

According to a decision by the Government of Armenia, the operations of the Goris branch of the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinema have been halted. This has been reported by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports.

According to the decision, the Acting Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports must ensure the process of halting the branch's activities in accordance with the law within a two-month period. The necessity of the government's decision stems from the subsequent impossibility of continuing the operations of the Goris branch of the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinema.

The financial capabilities of the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinema are insufficient to provide the necessary conditions for the branch's normal functioning, including the required material-technical base and appropriate remuneration for specialists.

The main financial stability of the branch has been secured through state funding. During the 2013-2014 academic year, there were 20 students receiving full tuition reimbursement from the state and 5 students studying on a paid basis. In the 2017-2018 academic year, 9 students graduated with full tuition reimbursement, while in the 2018-2019 academic year, there were 4 students studying for free and 5 on a paid basis.

The branch offered bachelor's degree educational services in the field of "Theatrical Arts" under the educational program of "Acting Arts" (licensed to accommodate 9 boundary places for 1-4 courses). No admissions have taken place in the last two academic years, and currently, there are four students studying there, three of whom are in their final year. Teaching has primarily been conducted through professors invited from Yerevan.

It should be noted that the Goris branch of the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinema was established by a government decision on April 14, 2004, N 547-N.