On February 6 a session of the Council of the Armenian State University of Economics (ASUE) was held. The session attended the Speaker of the RA National Assembly, member of the ASUE Council Mr Hovik Abrahamyan. RA Minister of Education and Science Mr Spartak Seyranyan said that the first agenda issue of the session was the election of the President of ASUE Council and asked the members of the council to nominate candidates.
The former rector of the Armenian State University of Economics Mr Grigor Kirakosyan proposed a candidate for the President of the Council the Speaker of RA National Assembly Mr Hovik Abrahamyan. The Speaker thanked for the trust, and in the context of the educational reforms of the country presented his approaches on the things to be done in the university:
“Dear members of the council,
I am thankful for nominating me to the post of the President of the Council of the Armenian State University of Economics. It is very obliging to be the President of the Council of one of the most prestigious higher educational institutions of the republic, especially, if we take into account that I am the graduate of this very institution.
In this present phase the development of the higher educational system and the reforms are highlighted by the state. The main problem of the educational reforms is the improvement of the education quality and preparing the personnel complying with the demands of the present labour market.
We’ll note that the University of Economics is one of the higher educational institutions having big prestige and high rating in the educational system. The evidence of which we should consider the fact that the personnel of the University, especially during the past period of the formation of the market relations, became the forerunners of the reforms being implemented in our country in the fields of the state management, as well as the formation of the private sector.
In the conditions of competition characteristic to liberal relations we can’t be pleased with the reached achievements, which, naturally, should be improved and be complied with the requirements of the rapidly changing modern world. Certainly, in this aspect, we should be consecutive and demanding.
I would like to draw everybody’s attention to several problems, the solution of which, I think will be one of the pledges of success of the further activity of the University:
- The provision of the high professional level of the graduates of the University;
- The modernization of the logistics of the higher educational institution;
- The compliance of preparing specialists with international standards;
- The training of the professors and lecturers, the implementation of the steps directed to the solution of their social problems;
- I especially highlight the contribution and use of new, international approaches of
teaching, especially the developing of practical skills, the expanding of capacities of fast orienting in complicated situations, the comparing of continuous and practical knowledge and the encouraging of independent work.
They are the best means of the rise of education quality and preparing modern specialists.
In the context of educational reforms, of course, legislative certain changes are also necessary. I would like to note that functioning legislative field often does not correspond to the educational new system, in particular, the requirements of the credit system and here certain difficulties emerge.
I am sure that the strategy of the rise of the education quality and activation of the research works started in the previous years will be continuous. Be sure that combining our efforts and possibilities we would be able to reach desirable result together.
I myself shall use all posibilities to promote that process.
Thank you.”
27 members of the Council, who participated in secret ballot unanimously elected the Speaker of the RA National Assembly Mr Hovik Abrahamyan President of the Council of the Armenian State University of Economics.
Mr Abrahamyan thanked for electing him President of the Council and ensured that he would contribute to the development of the higher educational institution.
The session of the Council presided over the Speaker of the National Assembly Mr Hovik Abrahamyan 
continued the discussions of the agenda issues regarding the results of the educational and financial economic activity of 2008, budget execution of the previous year, main indices of the budget draft of the current year, and the amendments to the ASUE Statute.
After the end of the session of the Council of the Armenian State University of Economics the Speaker of the National Assembly got acquainted with the newly built facilities of the institution.
