YEREVAN. - The issue of depoliticizing higher education institutions is only possible to resolve through legislative changes.  

Armenia’s Education Minister Levon Mkrtchyan said the aforementioned at a press-conference today, responding to the question on how it is possible to depoliticize higher education institutions when the chairmen of their councils are high-ranking official such as the President, PM and others.

According to the minister, if the country has state universities, the chairmen of their councils are dignitaries, and in some states monarchs.  “This is to stress the national-level significance of the given education institution. The Yerevan State University is our national achievement and for this very reason Armenian President is the Chairman of its Council,” Mkrtchyan said.  

At the same time, he noted that it is necessary to improve the system of educational self-governance, which, according to him, is possible only through legislative changes.  

Responding to the question on whether the representatives of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) young wing, may be joined by those of ARF Dashnaktsutyun young wing in university student councils, Mkrtchayn said that this depends on the  independence of the given higher education institution.

“If the students allow electing a council, which in no way deals with education, they have no idea where they are and who they are. The university must itself determine the order of forming the student council, which must deal exclusively with the problems of the higher education institution,” the Minister added.