YEREVAN. – The European Union (EU) on Monday announced its plans to reinforce its support to young Armenians by starting a dialogue with the Armenian Government on education reform and launching a new Education centre to prepare students and young professionals in the scientific area for the labor market.
Visiting European Commission Director for Neighbourhood East, Mr. Lawrence Meredith formally launched the EU-Armenia dialogue on education reform together with the European Training Foundation (ETF), the EU Agency in charge of supporting countries in the EU neighborhood to undertake reforms in education and labor policies, the EU Delegation to Armenia informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. The meeting took place with Armenian Minister of Education and Science, Araik Harutyunyan, to outline the main objectives to tackle in the education sector.
In addition, Director Meredith also will launch the EU TUMO Convergence Centre for Engineering and Applied Science together with the TUMO Centre for Creative Technologies. The aim of the EU-funded centre is to increase the quality of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education in Armenia. It will also help support strengthening the link between research and industry, by offering incubator facilities to start-ups and small technology companies.
During the visit, Mr. Meredith, said: “The European Union's support to young people is one of the key priorities in our cooperation with Armenia and is at the heart of the Eastern Partnership. By providing young people with the necessary conditions to study, work and participate fully in society, we help them fulfill their potential and become the leaders and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.”
The European Commission Director will also meet with representatives of diplomatic corps, IFIs, civil society, and young Armenian students for an informal dialogue on current and ongoing EU-Armenia cooperation matters.
EU-Armenia dialogue on education reform
In the framework of the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Five Year Government Programme and the Education development strategy for Armenia, the EU-Armenia policy dialogue on education is launched, aiming to outline the main directions and objectives, and draw up a roadmap for the implementation of the Reform Agenda of Armenia in the Education sector, identifying future EU-Armenia cooperation in this field.
This will be supported by the Torino Process which tracks developments in vocational education and training in partner countries of the EU. A core principle of the Torino Process is ownership and participation of all key stakeholders in the participating countries, including social partners and civil society. The Torino Process enables partner countries to monitor the implementation of VET reforms, assess progress and impact on citizens and agree about future priorities.
EU TUMO Convergence Centre for Engineering and Applied Science
The launching ceremony foresees publicizing the contract between the European Union and the implementing partner TUMO Centre for Creative Technologies and a symbolic ground-breaking. The project foresees the construction of a Convergence Centre, called the “EU TUMO Convergence Centre for Engineering and Applied Science,” composed of a range of entities, which will be instrumental to increasing the quality of STEM education in Armenia. The project includes construction of the Centre, providing non-formal educational services for over 18s related to STEM, as well as setting up an innovation ecosystem based on partnerships among public and private stakeholders. The project is implemented by TUMO, a leading NGO providing innovative education in Armenia. The co-applicant, French University in Armenia, will establish a new faculty on site, ensuring an increase in formal high quality STEM education. The project duration is 5 years.
EU4Youth
The European Union is already supporting various youth-oriented programs and projects. Erasmus + is the flagship program to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. Under the EU4Youth program, four projects are also working with young Armenians to increase youth employability, skills development and active participation of young people in their society.
Another initiative is coming soon: support for young creative talent in the cultural sector.
