ACADEMICIAN URGES ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT TO HELP EXCELLENT STUDENTS STUDY ABROAD
/ARKA/
April 23, 2009
YEREVAN
The Armenian government fails to implement effectively the programs
awarding excellent students scholarships to study abroad, said Dr. of
Physics and Mathematics, Corresponding Member of the RA National
Academy of Sciences Arthur Ishkhanyan.
The Luys Foudnation, which is responsible for scholarship programs in
Armenia, does not seem to justify itself, according to the academician.
The Luys Foudnation was established last April under the patronage
of RA President Serzh Sargsyan, who is also the chairman of the
foundation’s Board of Trustees. The foundation’s mission is to finance
scholarships of motivated Armenian students abroad.
"The idea for implementing the program was born more than two year
ago, with many discussions being held since then. Even a relevant
concept has been adopted, but the foundation has not performed its
direct functions so far," Ishkhanyan, said.
The foundation has not yet drawn the list of the world’s most
prestigious universities where the most promising Armenian students
can continue their studies with the help of the government. Ishkhanyan
also criticized the idea of appointing Jacqueline Karaaslanian as
the foundation’s executive director.
The academician disapproved of the current program of the foundation,
urging the government to undertake steps to implement the program.0D
"The concept ready, the prime minister and president keep saying the
program is the government’s priority, but no progress has been made
so far," Ishkhanyan said, pointing out a crisis in the administrative
management.
He also stressed the importance of awarding presidential scholarships
to Armenian students. Drawing parallels between Armenia and its
neighbor countries, he said similar programs had proved successful,
with around 2,000 students studying in the world’s leading
universities.
The academician stressed that almost 250 Armenian students could
have received scholarships to study abroad annually. According to
his calculations, the government was supposed to earmark some $3mln
annually for the program.
Commenting on the situation, RA Minister of Education Spartak Seyranyan
said the program is not under the direct supervision of the ministry,
but it is interested in its successful implementation. He also urged
everyone to restrain their ambitions while criticizing the local
education system.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
