During her visit to France, ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan met with Mohammed Al Qasim, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Education, who was in Paris to participate in the high-level “Transforming Education Summit +4” event.
During the meeting, the sides discussed opportunities to expand cooperation and exchange experience in education between Armenia and the United Arab Emirates, highlighting the constructive dialogue established between the two countries.
Zhanna Andreasyan outlined Armenia's education reform priorities, including the “Education Development State Program through 2030”, the digital transformation of education, competency-based education, and initiatives aimed at integrating artificial intelligence into the education system.
The discussion also covered opportunities for cooperation and exchange of experience in the introduction of a school bus system, given the United Arab Emirates' successful experience in this area and its effective role in ensuring access to education. The parties further exchanged views on cooperation and the exchange of expertise within the framework of the “Academic City” project.
The parties underscored the importance of signing a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the two countries' respective ministries. In this context, they highlighted opportunities to strengthen cooperation in higher education, scientific research, student and faculty mobility, joint professional development programs, scholarships, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), as well as the mutual recognition of qualifications.
Mohammed Al Qasim expressed interest in Armenia's education reforms and digital transformation initiatives and reiterated the UAE's commitment to continue cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
As part of the visit, the delegation led by the Minister also held a number of working meetings with representatives of partner-country delegations. In particular, Minister Zhanna Andreasyan met with Givi Mikanadze, Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, and Anđela Jaksic-Stojanovic, Minister of Education, Science and Innovation of Montenegro.
ESCS Deputy Minister Artur Martirosyan held discussions with Sherzod Karimov, First Deputy Minister of Preschool and School Education of Uzbekistan, as well as Latifa Al-Faryan, Deputy Minister for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Education of Saudi Arabia, and Intisar Abdullah Suleiman Al-Ambusaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Supporting Educational Programs in Oman.
The meetings addressed the opportunities to advance bilateral cooperation in education, exchange expertise, support the implementation of education reforms, and expand joint initiatives in areas of mutual interest.