Հայաստանի Հանրապետության կրթության, գիտության, մշակույթի և սպորտի նախարարության

Overview

The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia (Հայաստանի Հանրապետության կրթության, գիտության, մշակույթի և սպորտի նախարարություն) is the central executive authority responsible for developing and implementing government policy in the domains of education, higher education, science, culture, sports and youth affairs. Established in 1918, its remit extends from preschool through postgraduate education, research governance, cultural heritage protection and sports promotion. According to uniRank research, the ministry plays a pivotal role in promoting economic development, fostering innovation, preserving cultural traditions and expanding access to education across Armenia.

History and Legal Framework

The ministry originated with the First Republic of Armenia in July 1918 as the Ministry of Public Education. Over the Soviet and post‑independence periods it underwent multiple reorganizations, merging and splitting with cultural and science authorities. In July 2019, the Ministry of Education and Science formally merged with the Ministry of Culture (established Soviet era) and the ministry’s current form emerged. It operates under the Armenian Laws on Education (1999) and on Higher and Postgraduate Education, as well as specific legislation governing culture and sports.

Mission, Vision and Objectives – Role in Higher Education

The ministry’s mission, as stated on its official website, is to ensure the full realisation of the right to quality education at all stages, promote scientific thinking and innovation, foster cultural creativity and support sporting excellence. The vision emphasises creating a society grounded in human creative potential, law‑conscious civic citizenship, healthy lifestyle and cultural continuity.

In the higher education sector, the ministry aims to ensure universal access, maintain academic standards, support research and scientific infrastructure and align Armenian universities with European models and global best practices.

Governance, Structure and Independence

The ministry is headed by the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports—since December 2022, Zhanna Andreasyan—and is supported by several Deputy Ministers and a Secretary General. Beneath top leadership, it comprises professional structural departments covering: general and vocational education; strategic planning and monitoring; foreign relations and diaspora; licensing; cultural heritage; contemporary arts; sports policy; youth policy; as well as support units (legal, finance, public relations, procurement, HR, etc.). Subordinate bodies include the Higher Education and Science Committee and the Scientific Committee, which oversee tertiary education and research policy within the ministry structure. While the ministry provides oversight and regulatory authority, many higher education institutions are administratively independent but regulated centrally via licensing and accreditation.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation – Role in Higher Education

The ministry, through its licensing department and the Higher Education and Science Committee, oversees institutional licensing and programme accreditation. Armenia joined the European Higher Education Area in 2005 and since 2017 the national quality assurance agency—established under ministry oversight—has been a member of ENQA and listed in EQAR. Accreditation and evaluation procedures are aligned with the European Standards and Guidelines. Programmes must meet those standards to obtain state recognition and diploma supplements.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

• Armenia is a member of the European Higher Education Area and signatory to the Lisbon Recognition Convention since 1997.
• The ministry manages Armenia’s participation in EU initiatives such as Erasmus+, Erasmus Mundus, Jean Monnet and TEMPUS.
• Inter-institutional coordination enabled Armenian HEIs to engage in mobility, capacity-building and curriculum reform.
• The ministry also participates in Council of Europe cultural heritage networks, as the national authority for cultural routes, since 2020.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

Recent reforms include launching an online admissions platform (fs.emis.am) for international and diaspora applicants beginning in the 2025‑2026 academic year, streamlining access and standardising processes. Ongoing implementation of credit-based systems and Bologna‑style degree structuring continues to align Armenian HE with European norms.

The ministry’s focus on strategic planning, monitoring and diaspora engagement indicates future impact in expanding global student intake, improving institutional performance and strengthening Armenia’s research capacity in international networks.

Summary

The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Armenia has evolved from century‑old institutional roots into a comprehensive executive authority that shapes policy across education, science, culture and sports. Its historical development, legal mandate, governance structures and oversight mechanisms enable it to guide higher education reform, assure quality and build international engagement. According to uniRank, it remains central to Armenia’s socio‑economic development through its cross‑sectoral interventions.

FAQs

• What is the full name of the ministry?
  The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia (Հայաստանի Հանրապետության կրթության, գիտության, մշակույթի և սպորտի նախարարություն).
• When was it established?
  Originally in 1918 as the Ministry of Public Education; in its current consolidated form since July 2019.
• What legal framework governs it?
  Basic Law on Education (1999), Law on Higher and Postgraduate Education, plus legislation on culture and sports.
• Who heads the ministry?
  The minister; current incumbent since December 2022 is Zhanna Andreasyan, supported by deputy ministers and a secretary general.
• How does it oversee universities?
  Through licensing and accreditation processes managed by the licensing department and Higher Education and Science Committee, aligned with European QA standards.
• Is Armenia part of the European Higher Education Area?
  Yes; Armenia joined in 2005 and is a signatory to the Lisbon Recognition Convention.
• What recent higher education reforms are underway?
  Introduction of online application platforms for foreign applicants, credit system implementation, capacity‑building via Erasmus+ and strengthened QA mechanisms.

Organization Name

Հայաստանի Հանրապետության կրթության, գիտության, մշակույթի և սպորտի նախարարության

Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport

Acronym

MoESCS

Year of Establishment

1918

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Republic Square, Government House 3
Yerevan
0010 Yerevan Armenia

Phone

+374 (1) 520 632

Fax

+374 (1) 527 343

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport's Facebook page

X (Twitter)

Not available

LinkedIn

Not available

YouTube

Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport's YouTube channel

Instagram

Not available

Wikipedia Article

Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport's Wikipedia article

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