ArmInfo.For Armenia, as a country being in state f war, the issues of national identity must be prioritized. A similar opinion was expressed by Artak Movsisyan, head of YSU History Department, during a press conference with the participation of professors from Armenian universities and the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia.
To note, today's meeting with journalists was convened against the background of the upcoming draft law on higher education and the subsequent strikes of YSU students. According to the ministerial initiative, the Armenian language, literature and history of Armenia will be selective for non-core faculties of universities.
Speakers noted that the draft law presented by the ministry contains dangerous items related not only to Armenological subjects, but even to the possible closure of the National Academy of Sciences. Ashot Melkonyan, director of the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, compared the upcoming bill with an attempt to cut down a tree instead of cutting dry branches.
Director of the Institute of Language of the National Academy of Sciences Victor Katvalian stated that the draft law was drawn up incorrectly, but at the same time calling the regulations on the academy unacceptable, assuring that the NAS was and remains the leader of science.
Vardan Devrikyan, Director of the Institute of Literature of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, called the situation with the discussion about the necessity of teaching the Armenian language and history at universities a shame, since without knowledge of history there cannot be a full-fledged citizen. The speakers noted that the current model is not related to the Soviet period, noting that the European model of education operates in Armenia. The regulation on university governance also goes beyond logic and violates the independence of universities, the speakers noted, saying that according to the bill, the autonomy of universities is reduced to zero. YSU Faculty of History Dean Edik Minasyan said that studying the subjects "Armenian language" and "History of Armenia" are extremely important and necessary in matters of national security and education of generations. According to Minasyan, the goal of the strike of YSU students is to attract attention and the need to develop a unified concept. The Dean regretted that students' calls remained unanswered. At the same time, explaining that no one guides the students, and their further steps will depend on the position of the ministry. "The minister announced that science should move to universities. This means that now it is not there, with this we do not agree. And in general, why did such a need arise? There are many problems in the field of education and science, but why did the ax fall specifically on the Armenian language and history?'', Ashot Melkonyan, director of the Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, wondered. Edgar Hovhannisyan, Dean of the Faculty of History and Law of the Pedagogical University, emphasized that the Pedagogical University joins the protest and is ready to raise its voice against the bill. Meanwhile, the professors expect an urgent discussion with the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Arayik Harutyunyan of this topic. Earlier it became known that the lecturers of Yerevan State University will hold a one-day strike in solidarity with students, while urging students to stop the strike.