HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF ARMENIA GRADUALLY TO PASS TO
EUROPEAN CREDIT SYSTEM
YEREVAN, DECEMBER 22, NOYAN TAPAN. The gradual introduction of the
European Credit system to the higher educational institutions’ sphere
is the logical continuation of the educational reforms implemented
in Armenia. RA Minister of Education and Science Levon Mkrtchian
informed journalists about this at the December 22 conference held at
the Yerevan State University, in which the rectors of the Armenian
higher educational institutions took part. In the Minister’s words,
the introduction of the credit system to the higher educational
institutions should be implemented stage by stage, as the abrupt
passage would certainly bring to mess and lowering of the education
quality. As the Minister said, this process is in different stages
in 40 countries which have joined to the educational agreement of
Bologna. In Armenia it is still in the initial stage. The test
of the credit system has been implemented in the country’s four
universities (Yerevan Engineering, Yerevan State, Yerevan Economic
and Agrarian Universities) for several years. In the L.Mkrtchian’s
words, the above mentioned universities should pass their experience
to others. "To announce at once that we pass to the credit system is
wrong, especially when the process of Bologna itself doesn’t bind any
term or immediate passage. All these steps should not be abrupt and
the educational peculiarities of the given country should certainly
be taken into consideration," mentioned L. Mkrtchian. The credit
system first was introduced to the Engineering University of Armenia
in the educational program of study for master’s degree on the line
of two professions (computing systems and informatics and engineering
management) since 2002. Later, it was tested in the educational sector
of study for bachelor’s degree among foreign students. At present
800 students are included in the credit system. Beginning September
this year, the university’s whole educational sector of study for
bachelor’s degree will pass to teaching by the credit system. The
introduction of that system to the other three universities was
implemented only on the line of a few professions of departments of
study for master’s degree. Corresponding structures have been created
in all the universities, which will be engaged in implementation of
educational-methodical plans and organization works.