site.btaBulgaria, Armenia to Continue Exchange of Students, Scientists, Lecturers

Bulgarian Education Minister Galin Tzokov and Armenian Ambassador Armen Yedigarian signed a programme for cooperation in education and science for the period 2023-2027 here on Thursday.

“Our countries will continue to cooperate by awarding annual scholarships for the full duration of the studies of undergraduate and graduate students, the specialization or research of PhD students, lecturers and researchers, as well as by organizing of summer seminars for Armenian citizens," Tzokov said. He expressed hope that there will be more research teams and that many students will join the exchange. The Minister said that the programme also focuses on strengthening bilateral scientific cooperation, including exploring the opportunities of the EU's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. It also provides for the exchange of university lecturers, scientists and researchers from scientific organizations who will be able to learn about the experience and achievements of scientific and educational institutions in the field of higher education and science and to participate in joint scientific projects.

The cooperation agreement in the fields of education, culture and science was signed by the governments of Bulgaria and Armenia back in 1994. It is periodically being renewed and cooperation programmes are being agreed upon. During the summer term of the 2022-2023 academic year, 29 Armenians studied in Bulgarian higher education institutions, either under the programme or at their own expense.

This country also welcomes up to two Armenian students to participate in summer seminars in Bulgarian language, literature and culture - one at Sofia University and one at the University of Veliko Tarnovo. Bulgaria and Armenia also agreed to have Bulgarian and Armenian studies subjects taught at their universities.

Present at the signing of the programme on Thursday were also the director of the International Cooperation Directorate at the Education Ministry, Veselina Ganeva, Armenian attache Marine Mkrtchyan, consul Tamara Hushchyan, and Desislava Parusheva and Lyudmil Iliev, who represented the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry.