Armenian students from Syria to study for free in Nagorno-Karabakh universities

Students from Armenian families of Syria, who arrived to Nagorno-Karabakh, can study at local institutions of higher education for free; the programme of assistance is being implemented by means of benefactors. This was reported by Ara Arutyunyan, Prime Minister of the republic.

"At present, our initial target is to place students from Syria. At this time, already two students continue their education at the Artsakh State University for free: one student at the Department of Journalism, and the second at the Department of Agriculture. Of course, they will not pay for their education," said the Prime Minister at the meeting with young people of the Kashatag District, held on November 7, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

At present, 27 Armenian families from Syria have already settled in the Kashatag District. Ara Arutyunyan has added that, starting from January 1, 2013, all non-working students, who live in the Kashatag District and study at the universities of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, will be exempted from tuition fees. According to him, the programme will be continued and will be implemented with the help of the "Kashatag" Charity Foundation.

Students Karine Vardanyan and Nushik Ovsepyan from Syria said that their families came to Berdzor, the centre of the Kashatag District, 15 days ago. According to them, yet prior to their coming to Berdzor, they were informed that they would be able to continue their studies at the universities of Stepanakert and that they would be exempted from tuition fees.

Karine Vardanyan studies to be a journalist. She reported that their families had come from the city of Gamishli in Syria. According to her, there were no such tough riots in their city like in other cities of Syria, there were only explosions in their city; however, they were still frightened and thus, many Armenian families decided to leave the city.

"All families from Syria were provided with temporary accommodation in a hotel of Berdzor. People were promised to be employed, and children entered school. Officials promised to provide all of us with own housing in the nearest future," the student said.