The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia and the Embassy of the Republic of France in the Republic of Armenia held a ceremony to sign documents aimed at developing and strengthening cooperation in the field of higher education.

The event was attended by the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia Jeanne Andreasyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of France in the Republic of Armenia Olivier Decotigny, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Sports Artur Martirosyan, Chairman of the Committee for Higher Education and Science Sargis Hayotsyan, heads of universities and other representatives of the sector.

Minister Jeanne Andreasyan welcomed those present and emphasized that cooperation between Armenia and France in the field of higher education is a priority for the two countries' governments.

“To this end, we have planned to sign several documents, which will provide an opportunity for the two universities of the Republic of Armenia, the National Agrarian University of Armenia and the Yerevan State Institute of Theater and Cinema, to strengthen ties and deepen cooperation between the French University in Armenia and the French Institute, respectively,” said Jeanne Andreasyan.

Regarding the prospects of cooperation, the Minister, in particular, noted that the EYPE, being a Francophone university, will have a new opportunity to implement new programs, strengthen ties, and give impetus to the university's internationalization in cooperation with the French Institute, which will be mutually beneficial.

In this context, Zhanna Andreasyan also highlighted the importance of holding the International Sports and Cultural Games of Francophonie in Armenia in 2027, which will contribute to improving the Francophone environment and implementing new programs.

According to the Minister, developing agricultural education and implementing prospective programs in this direction are extremely important for the RA Government.

“Last year, many important decisions were made aimed at the development of agrarian education. In the context of the Academic City, a complete transformation of the university and developing a new concept of education in the agrarian sector are planned. We are confident that this cooperation will help strengthen ties with the French University in Armenia and at the same time give impetus to the reform of education in the agrarian sector, promoting some educational programs, including: "organization of education in specialties requiring technological knowledge in the field of marketing and precision agriculture," the minister said.

According to him, a draft law "On Higher Education and Science" is currently being circulated. It sets new standards for transparency and accountability in the management of higher education institutions, and cooperation will help to borrow each other's positive experiences.

"The French University, which is considered the result of joint efforts of the governments of Armenia and France, is one of the participants in the reform of higher education in Armenia," said Jeanne Andreasyan.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of France to the Republic of Armenia Olivier Decotigny also emphasized the dynamics of the development of bilateral relations. “Cultural and educational cooperation between Armenia and France is progressing, and the efforts in this direction are invaluable. A new foundation for cooperation is being laid with the joint work of the National Agrarian University of Armenia and the French University in Armenia, as well as the Yerevan State Institute of Theater and Cinema and the French Institute.”

He noted, in particular, that the agrarian sector is a priority for the governments of Armenia and France; therefore, it is important that the spheres of higher education and science play their roles in this area.

The following cooperation documents were signed:

• The agreement “On providing premises for the activities of the French Institute in Armenia between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia and the Embassy of the Republic of France in the Republic of Armenia”, which was signed by the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, Jeanne Andreasyan, and the Ambassador of the Republic of France to the Republic of Armenia, Olivier Decotigny.

• The cooperation agreement “between the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinema and the French Institute of Armenia” was signed by the rector of the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinema, Sara Nalbandyan, and the director of the French Institute of Armenia, Xavier Richard.

• The partnership agreement “between the Committee for Higher Education and Science of the RA Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Embassy of the Republic of France in the Republic of Armenia on university cooperation in the field of agrarian education” was signed by the Chairman of the Committee for Higher Education and Science of the RA Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Sargis Hayotsyan and the Ambassador of the Republic of France to the Republic of Armenia Olivier Decotini.

• The memorandum of understanding “between the National Agrarian University of Armenia and the French University in Armenia on cooperation in the field of agrarian education in the Republic of Armenia to enhance the quality and international competitiveness of education in the field of agrarian education” was signed by the acting rector of the National Agrarian University of Armenia Hrachya Zakoyan and the rector of the French University in Armenia Salva Nakuzi.

The Agrarian University According to Hrachya Zakoyan, acting rector, the pace of world development requires expanding cooperation. “The Agrarian University attaches importance to ensuring the growth of the republic’s agriculture through training specialists with higher education. With this cooperation, we are bringing the French experience in organizing higher education in agriculture to Armenia.

According to Sara Nalbandyan, rector of the Yerevan State Institute of Theater and Cinema, the university’s cooperation with the French Institute and the Embassy of France in Armenia has a two-year history. “A few days ago, we signed an agreement within the framework of which we will start working with the ACTS Academy of Contemporary Dance in Paris from November on the provision of double diplomas specializing in contemporary dance. I highly value the quality that we will have within the framework of this cooperation, because our students and lecturers have the potential, thanks to which at a certain stage we will be equal to the international level,” said Sara Nalbandyan, rector of the Yerevan State Institute of Theater and Cinema.