Vardevan Grigoryan, deputy of the "Prosperous Armenia" faction has questioned why the Minister appoints rectors of universities if the board of trustees nominates three candidates. According to the deputy, the appointment of the rector is necessary to leave to the university’s discretion.
The draft law "On Higher Education and Science" is being discussed in the parliament.
Vahram Dumanyan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the RA remarked that all universities reached great heights in the Soviet era, when rectors were appointed.
"In my opinion, the highest position in any university is not the rector, but the head-professor of chair, just as the highest position in the school is not the principal, but the teacher," the Minister said.
The draft law "On Higher Education and Science" proposes a new mechanism for electing the rector of the university. The candidate is elected by the Board of directors on an optional basis.
Taking part in optional stage, up to three candidates, who overcame the competition by closed secret ballot, may be nominated for the approval of the head of the authorized body by the decision of the council. The head of the authorized body signs a sample contract with the appointed rector for a period of five years. A person, holding a leading position in the university, cannot be a leading member of any political body.
