History and Basis of formation of Student Organizations in Armenia

2. History and Basis of formation of Student Organizations in Armenia • Traditions of Komsomol (Young Communist League) • Democratic changes and Independence in 1991 • Collapse of Soviet System

3. Establishment of Student Organizations in HEIs 3 main periods of development of Student Self-Government organizations: • Initial Period (1993-1998): Formation of relevant student organizations in HEI • Formation Period (1999-2005): Formation of Policies and Mechanisms • Development Period (2005- up to date): Development of Participation and Institutional Governance Mechanisms Student Councils (parliament, union) are student self-governing, representative organizations in high educational institutions elected by students. Formation of Student Organizations in the beginning of 1990s: Student Trade Unions, Student Councils (Parliaments), Student Scientific Societies:

4. Main functions of Student Councils in Initial Period: • Protection of Students’ Rights and Representation of their interests • Organization of cultural life and leisure • Solution of Social Problems • Organization of various conferences and other scientific-educational activities Student Organizations had Strong Influence of on Formation of Youth Sector of Armenia in by the end of 1990s.

5. Formation of Policies and Mechanisms (1999-2005) The “Law on Education” adopted in April 1999 stated that (Article 28): Students form at least 25% of members of governing bodies of Higher Educational Institutions. The practical applications of this legislative norm started 5-6 years later when the Law on “Higher and Post University Professional Education” was adopted (2004). This law envisaged the new governing structure of HEIs, particularly the function of University Council (the higher collegial governing body). The students participation in other university governing bodies (Academic Council, Faculty Councils etc) delayed for 3-4 year.

6. Development of Participation and Institutional Governance Mechanisms • There were some amendments in legislation during last years and currently it is envisaged that the students – members of university governing bodies are proposed and elected by the corresponding level of student self-governance representative organization (Student Council). • The law on also envisage that the University Councils should allocate financial means for the activities of Student Council and Student Scientific Society. • At present the Student Councils became the main organizational structure providing and ensuring students’ participation in institutional governance.

7. Student participation in YSU Governance Process: (Main facts and figures) • University Council – 72 members. Students – 18 members. • Academic (Scientific) Council – 88 members: Students – 22 members • Representative of Student organizations are members of Permanent Commissions created by Academic (Scientific) Council, • Faculty Councils. Students form 25% of all members. • Faculty Academic (Scientific) Councils. The representatives of Student Council and Student Scientific Society are members Faculty Academic (Scientific) Councils

8. Main obstacles for the activities of Student Councils generally and Student participation in Institutional Governance • Though Student Councils have about 20 year history still the mechanisms of the activities of Student Councils are not well-established, • The decrease of students’ motivation to participate, • Still many members of professorial and administrative staff do not value student participation, • There is a big turnover among students activists and the process of alternation of generations is not smooth • The internal rules and procedures in HEIs are complex and to some extent require special knowledge and skills which are important for effective participation in University governance • Members of Student organizations often do not have both skills related to HEIs internal rules and general skills required for work in youth NGOs.

9. Main obstacles for the activities of Student Councils generally and Student participation in Institutional Governance (Continuation) • Many students has to work in parallel with studies and do not have time for participation in various student activities, • There are many other participation opportunities for students out of university, • The Student Councils do not have a status of separate (independent) legal entity (for example NGO), • The system of student services in universities is not developed.

10. Student participation in Armenia (some facts) According to “Youth Aspiration Survey” (nation-wide sociological survey data) carried out by UNDP Yerevan Office (2012): • about 80% of students all over the country were not involved in the activities of Student Councils. • About 58% of students gave a negative answer to the question “Will you agree to be involved in Student Councils or other student organizations in HEIs”.

11. Measures undertaken to develop student organisations and participation in Institutional governance (YSU case) • In the YSU Strategic Development Program for 2010-2014 the Student self-governance is emphasized as a key value: The special objective in envisaged in Strategic Development Program on this issue: Student Autonomy and participation in University governance increases students’ self-consciousness, self-respect and civic responsibility. То develop student autonomy, expand students’ participation in University governance and strengthen student organizations.

12. Measures undertaken to develop student organisations and participation in Institutional governance (YSU case) There are several tasks envisaged by this objective: • to increase the effectiveness of student involvement in University governing bodies • promote institutional development of student organizations, • increase the role of local student councils in structural, organizational and program development and implementation of reforms • increase the student organization’s international cooperation potential • effective cooperation between administration and student organizations, information awareness etc.

13. Expert proposals to promote student participation in Institutional governance • Develop a system of student services and increase a role of student organizations in this process • Construct a system of on-going training process for leaders and members of student organizations (provide a multiplication effect of this process), • Increase the quality of projects implemented by student organizations • increase the potential of national structures unifying student organization’s and provide an “external” support to student organizations, • Improve mechanisms and rules of student organizations • Increase the use of Information and communication technologies in activities of student organizations.

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