Schools and universities rating pilot program to be launched in Armenia in 2013

YEREVAN, December 25. /ARKA/.Armenia’s Ministry of Education and Science will launch a pilot program for  Armenian schools and universities rating in 2013  with support of VivaCell-MTS company.

VivaCell-MTS injected 25 million drams into this program. 

Armen Ashotyan, Education and Science Minister of Armenia, said Tuesday the ratings methodic  was developed and compiled by the Ministry’s experts who will rate the Armenian schools and universities in 2013. However, if the pilot program is successfully implemented, the responsibility for rating may be delivered to some trustable private company, he added.

“While designing this methodic, we tried to exclude the human factor and standardize the criteria for rating  while using the best international experience,” he said.

“In our country citizens have a right to choose their schools or universities. This tool will allow to present objective evaluation,” he added.

Ashotyan noted the rating will include not only the best schools, but also those which have issues.

“Universities receive partial state financial aid, and market economy is applied here. Rating can enhance the motivation of the Armenian universities and encourage them to become more advance.”

Ashotyan also excluded corruption risks which can arose in the rating process noting the process will be transparent and will be monitored by the Ministry and VivaCell-MTS. 

On his turn, Ralph Yirikian, VivaCell-MTS CEO, said the company had always been ready to support educational programs.

 “Variety of information encourages us to find more efficient ways to get academic degrees. Academic knowledge is the most perspective tool in outlining the competitive advantages of the republic. Our goal is to involve the intellectual and scientific potential in favor for the country’s development,” he said.

VivaCell-MTS entered Armenia in 2005.  Eighty percent of it is owned by  Mobile Telesystems  and the remaining 20% belong to Lebanese Fattouch Group.  

The company offers 2G/3.75G/4G network and other modern services to its customers. -0-