YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–Armenian President Robert Kocharian held a meeting September 15 with Russian Minister of Education Vladimir Philipov–who arrived in Armenia to participate in the ceremonial opening of the Armenian-Russian Slavonic University. The two discussed issues related to the activities of the University–its financing–and education structure.
The sides emphasized the importance of opening the Slavonic University in Armenia and stressed that it would be another step towards the strengthening of relations between the two countries.
According to Philipov their intention is to turn the University into a large research–educational and cultural center.
Stressing the importance of further development of cooperation in the educational sphere–the sides laid special emphasis on the exchange of experience as well as the organization of Armenian students’ training in Moscow’s well-known institutions of higher education.
"We will make the Armenian-Russian Slavonic University a cultural educational center–which would rank among the best schools both in Armenia and in Russia," Philipov said at the ceremonial opening of the University.
Following the ceremonial opening of the University–Minister of Science and Education of Armenia Eduard Ghazarian and Russian Minister of Education Vladimir Philipov signed a protocol on mutual assistance. An agreement on mutual recognition of diplomas issued by the two countries’ higher schools will also be signed at the end of the year.
Philipov pointed out that a meeting of the CIS ministers of education is to be held in Yerevan May 5. During the meeting the CIS ministers of education plan to discuss the issue of introducing a common education system in the CIS countries. According to Philipov–Armenia’s education system is most similar to that of Russia. He said that under a program that has already been developed Armenian students will be allowed to study at Russian schools on a non-competitive basis.
Attending the opening ceremony were Minister of Territorial Governance Khosrov Haroutiunian–Mayor of Yerevan Albert Bazeyan–Rector of Yerevan State University Radik Martirossian–Russian Ambassador to Armenia Anatoly Dryukov and other officials.