RA MINISTRY OF DIASPORA KEEPS PROBLEMS OF DIASPORAN STUDENTS IN FOCUS OF ITS ATTENTION

Noyan Tapan
June 18, 2009

YEREVAN, JUNE 18, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The RA Ministry
of Diaspora in its activity attaches importance to work done
with the Diasporan youth studying at Armenia’s educational
institutions. Saying this to Hayern Aysor, Sirvard Hambarian, the Head
of the Scientific-Educational Programs Subdivision of All-Armenian
Programs Department, RA Ministry of Diaspora, emphasized that issues
regarding students’ educational, social, and legal status are always
in the focus of Minister Hranush Hakobian’s attention.

According to S. Hambarian, to solve these problems, to overcome the
difficulties in the way of Diasporan students integration in Armenia
a number of meetings have been already organized at the Ministry
with representatives of body of active students, individual groups,
educational institutions, law enforcement and other interested
structures.

Polls were held by the RA Ministry of Diaspora Scientific-Educational
Programs Department jointly with the World Armenian Congress
Association of Youth Organizations to study the problems of Diasporan
young people studying at Armenia’s universities. Problems raised
by the students regarded, in particular, study, as well as study
payments, their status, dual citizenship, as well as their integration
in Armenia.

In particular, students had some problems connected with the status
of temporary stay: the students were not informed in time that by
September 15 they had to introduce their documents to extend the term
of their stay, because of which part of students had to pay a fine
of 50 000 drams. S. Hambarian said that the Ministry has discussed
the issue with the RA Police Passport and Visa Department, as well
as with universities’ administrations and as a result, at the most
part of universities the fined sum was returned or was transferred
to the account of students’ study payment for the next half-year.

The students consider that the term of temporary stay should
be extended. S. Hambarian said that the Ministry has legislative
initiatives to make amendments in the status of stay, to extend terms
of visas.

The students are also concerned with the process of granting dual
citizenship. According to them, the process should be more simplified.

Another problem raised by Diasporan students was also solved
with the Ministry’s mediation: by RA Health Minister’s decree,
henceforth Diasporan students will receive free medical aid at medical
institutions of Armenia.

S. Hambarian also said that they work with universities’
administrations in the direction of liquidating considerable
difference between study payments of RA citizen students and
Diasporan students. Yerevan State University of Architecture and
Construction has already responded to this initiative of the RA
Ministry of Diaspora. From 2009-2010 academic year Diasporan students
entering Yerevan State University of Architecture and Construction
paid groups studying in Armenian (study for bachelor’s degree and
master’s degree) will pay for their studies as much as RA citizen
students. The administration of the State Engineering University of
Armenia has also expressed such readiness.

It was also mentioned that students studying at foreign universities
apply to the RA Ministry of Diaspora expressing willingness to pass
their practice in Armenia. In July the Ministry of Diaspora will
receive five students of RF Nizhni Novgorod A. Lobachevski State
University International Relations Department. An Argentine Armenian
student from Mendosa University will also hold his professional
practice at the Nairi medical center of Yerevan.

According to S. Hambarian, today the Ministry has a goal to contribute
to Diasporan students’ participation in development processes of
Armenia-Diaspora cooperation, rise of Diasporan youth’s role. "Armenian
students from foreign countries studying at Armenian universities are
unique ambassadors of the ethnic Homeland, Armenia and the country of
their residence, at the same time a link connecting the Homeland and
their communities," S. Hambarian said. In her words, the Ministry
with its activity will contribute to sowing the idea of bearing
responsibility for keeping the national identity in the Diasporan
young generation worldwide, to formation of perception of Armenia as
Homeland, formation of Armenian language thinking, their involvement
in programs aimed at preservation of Armenian identity. "They are the
future capable force of consolidating Diaspora’s professional potential
for the sake of development of cooperation between the Homeland and
Diaspora, for the sake of prosperous Armenia and strong Diaspora,"
S. Hambarian said.