The Minister of Education, Professor Berhanu Nega, received a delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia at his office.

The Minister noted that the relations between Ethiopia and Armenia have a historical basis and said that they should further strengthen their cooperation in the field of education.

He informed the members of the delegation that Ethiopia is carrying out a deep reform in the education sector and is working hard to produce skilled, competent and competitive citizens who are fit for the 21st century by changing the education system.

He noted that steps are being taken to free the education system from political influence, and he said that work is being done to make universities autonomous, starting with Addis Ababa University, and to make other universities autonomous in the future.

He explained to the group members that there are many issues that can be worked on in cooperation with countries in the reforms being carried out in the education sector.

Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, Artur Martirosyan, for his part, said that Armenia and Ethiopia have a long-standing historical relationship and we want to develop this to a higher level.

He added that they want to work together in the education sector in the field of higher education, university-to-university relations, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), health education, technical and vocational education, technology, and research and development.

The Deputy Minister said that Ethiopia is a large country and a strategic one for Armenia, and that his government will work with Ethiopia in this regard in the education sector.

The two sides also held extensive discussions on issues that can be worked on in terms of free education for students, exchange of scholars and academics, and cooperation in research and development.