Which Universities Will Merge? 'Joghovor' News

The newspaper 'Joghovor' reports that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's announcement yesterday regarding the creation of an academic city and the relocation of universities to the city of Ashtarak has unsettled many university leaders.

According to information from 'Joghovor', some university rectors are worried about their future, as leaving 8 state universities implies that several institutions will be optimized and merged.

The newspaper has learned that the government's long-term vision includes merging the State University after V. Brusov, the Kh. Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University, and the State Institute of Physical Culture.

In addition to the merger of these three universities, the government's earlier vision also included the unification of the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography and the Yerevan State Academy of Fine Arts.

'Joghovor' contacted Gegham Melikbekyan, the press secretary of the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, to inquire whether there are discussions on such matters within the ministry. In response, Melikbekyan stated, 'Any issue related to the Ministry of Education and Science is discussed not only within the department but also with all interested parties. When a decision is made, appropriate notification is provided.'

The Ministry of Education and Science has effectively not denied the existence of such discussions within the ministry. It remains to be seen what the educational quality and involvement of the Ashtarak State Pedagogical University will be in the future.