2023 July 20

Daily news wrap-up

Academic City || Electric cars made in Armenia || Lachin Corridor || Armenia won't deport Russian asylum seeker || Jul/20/2023 report.
by ar_david_hh

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Academic City || Electric cars made in Armenia || Lachin Corridor || Armenia won't deport Russian asylum seekers

6-minute read.

Academic City

Context: PM Pashinyan earlier announced plans to build an educational hub on the outskirts of Yerevan as part of a wider goal of reforming higher education in Armenia which will include the merger of scientific research institutions with universities. The plan is to have up to 8 fully state-funded universities with their research wings. The Academic City could also have a new sports stadium and facilities for students. The plan is to expand Yerevan's public transport and connect it to the Academic City.

PASHINYAN: A dedicated high school and a university will be established in the Academic City to train army officers. We have reached the implementation phase of the Academic City. The architectural master plan will be ready soon, followed by a phased implementation of each project.

But first, let's hear the results of this year's (public and private) university admission rates.

MINISTER: 83% of the 2.1K tuition-free positions were filled, similar to 2021-2022. The rate was 45% for the 15.9K paid spots, similar to prior years, a very low result.

In private universities, only 3% of seats have been filled.

Agrarian University: 7%.

The reforms should address this issue and review the quality and practicality of the majors offered by our universities.

PASHINYAN: Our higher education system was/is in a deep crisis. The good news is we have a plan, part of which is the foundation of the Academic City.

You've mentioned the Agrarian University. The Academic City will have tens of hectares of arable lands and experimental farms neighboring the facilities so the students can walk out and test their knowledge on the ground.

We have a strategy to reform our education by 2030. Part of it is the formation of up to 8 fully publicly funded universities. Tell us more about this process.

MINISTER: Last year you formed an expert group to study this process in detail, the admission rates, the existing issues, the quality of education, labor demand, etc. The group has identified 6 main directions for organizing higher education. These universities will be:

(1) Traditional universities that teach the fundamentals, STEM, humanities, ...

(2) Medical

(3) Tech, applied science, architecture, agro, ...

(4) Educational

(5) Arts

(6) Military

During the first phase, the following types of universities will be present in the Academic City:

(3) Tech, ...

(4) Education

(5) Arts

(6) Military

Only 17 July we sent out an invitation to universities and scientific research centers to discuss merger processes. We want field experts to discuss and present proposals by February 2024 about the types of management, majors, and the in-house scientific research directions of the newly reformed universities. We will invite foreign experts to help them.

Beginning in 2027, public funding will be provided only to those universities that have merged with others or scientific research institutions.

The salaries in these merged institutions will double. The structure of a professor's job will undergo significant changes so that research can become an inalienable part of higher education.

Separate funding is expected for the development of scientific research programs to ensure the competitiveness of our universities.

Conditions will be created to house students and staff in the Academic City. They will have access to facilities for everyday activities, intellectual, physical, and leisure time.

PASHINYAN: Our message is this: there will be up to 8 public universities in Armenia. We're asking our educational and scientific institutions to launch a dialogue with one another starting today, to form an understanding of how they can cooperate or merge.

We expect these universities to meet international standards after the reforms. In turn, the government will take care of 100% of the funding. Sure, if the university can attract investments/donations from elsewhere that would be a nice addition, but they won't have to. Salaries will at least double.

This may come as a surprise to you, but there is not a single university in Armenia today, public or private, that meets the quality standards set by the certification process. This is why we have many universities with few applicants.

Beginning in 2027, we will not allow the existence of any university that doesn't meet these standards. We will no longer allow the system to "deceive" our students. I won't rule out the adoption of laws to cement this process legislatively.

I encourage the universities operating in Armenia to launch preparatory work now so they can meet the new standards and establish a foothold in the Academic City.

Some foreign universities have asked us for land in downtown Yerevan to open campuses. We will not give out any lands in downtown Yerevan, but they can have one in the Academic City.

The initial phase of the architectural plan of the Academic City will be ready soon. It will present transportation, water, electricity, and the general scheme. Then we will begin the process of allocating specific facilities to each university.

MINISTER: The geological activities have begun on the ground. The work is being done by a German company with the assistance of Armenia's National University of Architecture and Construction. This is a great opportunity for our university's staff and students to expand their knowledge.

It's important to note that private universities are also welcome to participate in the merger process. The public discussions, which will last until February 15, will dispel any notion that the decisions are being made "behind closed doors". If you have an opinion on how to improve the system, come and join the discussion.

PASHINYAN: Speaking of reforms. I'm happy to note that our decision to launch a [so far voluntary] teacher certification process [to encourage teachers to self-educate in exchange for higher salaries] has had a clear effect. Today you can find teachers in villages with ֏400K salaries [$1,000/mo]. We must carry out the rest of the reforms.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVxbRMEakP4&t=1928s)

Armenia wants to assemble and export electric vehicles

Context: The production of vehicles with standard combustion engines by a company called "Sebouh1" began in Armenia last September. The first 8 units have been cleared and licensed for sale. It's a "generic" vehicle manufactured in several other states under different brands, with the use of South Korean parts and designs belonging to the Korean company SsangYong. The parts are imported to Armenia for assembly.

REPORTER: Where is this plant located?

MINISTER: Nor Nork community.

REPORTER: What can you tell us about the process?

MINISTER: We've been working with this company [Sebouh1] for 2 years. Since the EAEU rules make it difficult to manufacture vehicles, we had to work closely and help them every step of the way to launch the production. Their VIN code is Armenian.

REPORTER: Who is the owner?

MINISTER: An Armenian-Iranian businessman Janes Avetyan.

REPORTER: What about the production volumes?

MINISTER: Several hundred units per year [each unit costs $30-40k].

REPORTER: Are the components imported?

MINISTER: Any new vehicle manufacturing begins as an assembly process with imported components. Over time, it will undergo a certain level of localization.

We want to manufacture electric vehicles as well. I recently visited China to meet the representatives of Beijing Auto [BAIC] to discuss the establishment of a manufacturing plant in Armenia.

The cars driven by Armenians today are very old; the average age is >20 years. The government wants to update the auto park, which would also reduce the negative impact on the climate.

[source,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI3xP4bvpS8&t=573s) [source,](https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1115758/)

Armenia has significantly improved its industrial performance: United Nations

MINISTER: Armenia has improved its CIP global ranking by 23 positions, becoming the best-performing state.

UN: The Competitive Industrial Performance (CIP) evaluates 153 countries' capacity to produce and export manufactured goods and their technological progress. CIP also provides insights into long-term development and improvements.

Germany is still #1. China has shown impressive growth since the 1990s and is currently #2.

Armenia has significantly improved its ranking, jumping from 116th in 2012, to 93rd.

(1) Germany

(27) Turkey

(57) Iran

(93) Armenia

(95) Georgia

106) Azerbaijan

Armenia's processing industry in January-April, YoY: +5.9

[source,](https://www.unido.org/news/germany-worlds-leading-manufacturer-according-unidos-cip-index) [source,](https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/264957) [source,](https://arka.am/en/news/economy/armenia_s_industrial_output_in_january_april_2023_increased_by_2_4_to_about_748_billion_drams/) [source,](https://stat.unido.org/cip/)

Armenia is building a customs checkpoint on the border with Turkey

A checkpoint near the Margara Bridge is under construction.

[source,](https://www.azatutyun.am/a/32511688.html)

major powers and OSCE members urge Azerbaijan and Russia to resume the traffic through Lachin Corridor

UK: We are deeply concerned about the continuous obstruction of the Lachin Corridor. The UK supports the World Court's verdict on the need to reopen the corridor. Also, refrain from politicizing humanitarian aid [Context: Azerbaijan accused Red Cross employees of "smuggling" cigarettes and other goods through the blockade]. Any solution to this conflict should address the protection of the rights of the Nagorno-Karabakh population.

NORWAY: We firmly reiterate our call to the governments of Azerbaijan and Russia to restore free movement through the Lachin Corridor.

RUSSIA: The normal life should be restored in Nagorno-Karabakh. Immediate measures should be taken to unblock the Lachin Corridor and resume the unhindered movement of citizens, vehicles, and goods in both directions, as well as the supply of energy.

EU: The EU is concerned about the humanitarian consequences arising from the lack of food, medicines, and other essential goods. The ban by the Azerbaijani authorities on the entry and exit of the Red Cross is a cause for concern. The current situation is unstable and creates tensions that run counter to the necessary confidence-building efforts.

[source,](https://news.am/arm/news/771517.html) [source,](https://news.am/arm/news/771595.html) [source,](https://arka.am/en/news/politics/eu_delegation_to_osce_urges_azerbaijan_to_restore_free_movement_along_lachin_corridor_/) [source,](https://factor.am/669541.html) [source,](https://factor.am/669476.html)

Armenian government blocks prosecutor's attempt to deport Russian citizen who feared political persecution back home

Russian nationals Maria Rose and her child were detained by Armenian police, citing a warrant by prosecutors. Russian prosecutors had asked their Armenian counterparts to detain and deport the family.

The family, with the help of Helsinki Vanadzor NGO, has appealed the process with the Justice Ministry and asked the Interior Ministry for refugee status.

The Justice Minister has signed a decree prohibiting her deportation, citing "international treaties ratified by Armenia".

The seemingly surprised NGO has welcomed the "truly precedent-setting" news.

Maria Rose was persecuted by Russian authorities after reposting content about war crimes in Bucha, Ukraine. She is accused of "discrediting the Russian military". Her husband was arrested in April 2022.

[source,](https://factor.am/669537.html) [source,](https://hcav.am/epress-30-05-2023/)

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/155578j/academic_city_electric_cars_made_in_armenia/