By 2030, at least four Armenian universities should be among the top 500 – Zhanna Andreasyan

ArmInfo. By 2030, at least four Armenian universities should be among the top 500 in reputable international rankings. This was stated by Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan at an event dedicated to the launch of cooperation with QS Quacquarelli Symonds, an organization that specializes in global university rankings.

She also emphasized that this ambitious target is set in the state education development program.

According to the minister, improving the international standing of universities requires consistent and long-term work, and the launch of cooperation with QS is one important step in this direction. At this stage, as part of the collaboration with QS, consulting work will be carried out with the participation of Yerevan State University, Yerevan State Medical University named after Mkhitar Heratsi, and the National Polytechnic University of Armenia. The choice of universities is linked to the systemic reforms resulting from the new Law on Higher Education and Science and the logic of the Academic City program.

According to her, progress should reflect improved educational quality, employer and labor market satisfaction, increased attractiveness of higher education for students, and, as a result, increased international competitiveness of the Armenian higher education system, an important indicator of which is also the growth in the number of international students.

During the event, Jacques de Champchenel, Head of Consulting and Analytics at QS Quacquarelli Symonds, presented the organization's activities, strategic areas of cooperation with the Armenian higher education system, the methodology of international rankings, and approaches aimed at increasing the competitiveness of universities. He noted that openness on the part of the Armenian side, a willingness to change, and constructive cooperation are key to progress and achieving tangible results.

According to the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture, QS Quacquarelli Symonds is an international organization specializing in higher education, known for its QS World University Rankings.

When evaluating universities, they consider, among other things, academic reputation, employer reputation, research impact, graduate employability, international engagement, and a number of other indicators. The organization also provides consulting and analytical support to universities and higher education systems, helping to enhance their international visibility and competitiveness.