Discussion Held on the Concept of the 'Academic City' Program

The discussion regarding the draft decision of the Armenian Government on approving the concept of the 'Academic City' program was held at the Science Committee of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, with the participation of representatives from interested organizations. This was announced by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports.

Committee Chairman Sargis Hayotsyan briefly presented the project, after which the participants of the discussion expressed their opinions on the program and directed several questions to the sector's responsible officials.

In response to the questions, Chairman Sargis Hayotsyan, Deputy Chairman Arthur Movsisyan, and Head of the Higher and Postgraduate Education Department of the Ministry, Lusine Grigoryan, addressed the need for radical reforms in management and content, alongside the ongoing and upcoming reforms in the fields of education and science.

In particular, it was noted that the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports has invited state universities and research institutions in Armenia to submit conceptual proposals on the consolidation of state universities and the merger process with research organizations by February 15, 2024. This process is closely related to the 'Academic City' program and aims to ensure synergy between higher education and research activities while enhancing international competitiveness in these fields.

The Committee Chairman indicated that discussions on the concept of the 'Academic City' program would not be limited to public hearings. Visits to various scientific centers and universities are planned in the near future to engage as many stakeholders as possible in the discussion and design phases of the project and to become thoroughly acquainted with the issues related to the peculiarities of different sectors.

The program will be implemented through participatory and open procedures, involving leading specialists and specialized structures from Armenia, the diaspora, and abroad. The design phase of the Academic City is expected to begin in September, which, according to the timeline, will last for two years. The construction phase is scheduled to start in October 2025, with an estimated completion date of December 2029.