Armen Ashotyan, the Minister of Education and Science, visited all state colleges in Gyumri today and had a very interesting conversation with students. Entering the Gyumri affiliate of the University of Economics of the Republic of Armenia and seeing the improved conditions of the college, Armen Ashotyan said, “I see that everything is fine, you don’t lack students, but let us not say everything is fine, enjoy and sleep on the spot.” He made a piece of advice not to sleep also to students. According to the minister, his ministry does everything to protect the rights of citizens, in particular, offers an opportunity to appeal the graduation order, to take exams in 4th year not passed in 2nd year that according to the minister, will not stress students and rule out the custom of involving kin. However, as Mr. Ashotyan put it, if a student is not demanding, “is unconscientious and lighthearted”, the ministry will never support him.
The minister also warned, “If the employer is not demanding toward you, what you earn becomes just a paper.”
Then the minister had a rather unusual conversation with one of the students. The student asked Mr. Ashotyan to find a way of entering the labor market, otherwise intellectuals, including good students leave the country. “They left both in Middle Ages and in antiquity. Today, in the globalization era, student must cross any boundaries. If you care so much for the country, don’t leave. If you are dissatisfied with the authorities, struggle against the authorities, if you are dissatisfied with the economy, struggle against the economy, but don’t play the role of consumer, become to some extent a creator yourselves, who will struggle in your stead? I myself reached the portfolio of minister from a student not very early and I remember when I was offered to go to France for 3 years, the chancellor’s office did not allow me to leave, so don’t leave!”
Read our interview with the minister in tomorrow’s printed version of “Aravot”
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Nune AREVSHATYAN
