United States Accredits American University of Armenia

A delightful bit of news!

...the accreditation of this will serve as an incentive for the development of education in Armenia and will be a model for other institutions of the country. He also expressed confidence that the AUA can safely claim to be entering one of the 100 best universities world.

The founding universities are the government of Armenia, University of California, and the Armenian General Benevolent Union.

There you have it! Armenia is definitely moving on up!

Source: Yerevan.ru (translated)

North Park University in Chicago to Hold Genocide Lectures

While North Park University cannot be compared to Harvard, Yale, or other such schools of note, the very fact that the Armenian Genocide will receive even more attention makes it worthwhile.

On February 24, a number of lectures will be held at the North Park University in Chicago titled "Genocides of XX and XXI centuries."

At the lectures experts will discuss the "The Concept of Genocide" based on Holocaust the Armenian Genocide, genocide of Assyrians, as well as genocides in Rwanda and Darfur (Sudan)...

I welcome any reviews of this event if any of our readers choose to attend.

Source: Yerkir

Few Bucks Here, Good Grades There

College bribery? In Armenia? You must be joking!

Now, the issue of alleged bribes being given in order to receive good marks has been brought out into the open after the results of a startling new poll, conducted by the Sargis Tkhruni Youth Student Union, affiliated to Armenia’s Social Democratic Party. Out of 2000 students - five per cent of all the students in Armenia - 1821 said that there was corruption in their colleges, according to the survey.

A striking 93 per cent of respondents to the poll suggested that lecturers’ salaries should be increased to discourage them from taking bribes.

"Nowadays those who pass their exams with a bribe are regarded with respect and envy, and not with pity," he said. “Instead of being condemned these students are examples for others to follow."

Of course, you should realize that the sponsor of the poll is Armenia's Social Democratic Party. The results from this survey could be used for political gain, as is usually the case. Regardless, bribery has become a part of normal life in Armenia. And it has to stop.

Source: A1+

Robert Kocharyan Discusses Higher Education Reforms

From the source:

Armenia's President Robert Kocharyan and the rectors of the country's higher schools discussed the current state and the further steps in higher education reforms in Armenia.

The President took interest in introduction of the new teaching methods and the availability of modern special literature. A comprehensive approach is required in providing the students with new basic manuals in their respective fields, as the bare structural changes will not bring about a radical improvement in education. Kocharyan said that he expects the rectors to make their contribution to the reform on time in a consolidated, purposeful and correct manner.

Sincere discussion of an important issue or just another political stunt? You be the judge.

Source: Arka