To support the formation of the Arts Cluster of the Academic City, Armenia will cooperate with two prestigious universities, with government decisions allowing contracts to be signed. Around £750,000 will be allocated for this purpose.

According to Education, Science, Culture and Sports Minister Zhanna Andreasyan, the first contract will be signed with the University of the Arts London, which ranks among the leading institutions worldwide in art and design education. The minister noted that the university has consistently held second place in the QS rankings by subject for several years.

“University of the Arts London has undergone its own process of reorganization through the gradual merger and integration of six separate institutions. In that sense, it has significant practical experience that will greatly support us in implementing the Academic City project,” Andreasyan said.

The second contract will be signed with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, founded in 1847, which is considered one of the global leaders in performing arts education. It is among the rare institutions offering programs in both performing and production arts.

The agreement with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is valued at up to 371,325 pounds sterling (in drams), while the contract with the University of the Arts London is valued at up to 368,778 pounds sterling.

The cooperation is planned in three phases over 24 months and will include the development of a concept as well as work aimed at capacity building.

The Academic City project is expected to be completed by 2030. Andreasyan said that as part of the education development program, four Armenian universities are expected to enter the top 500 of international rankings.