Half the staff of the Republic's Institute of Humanitarian Studies dismissed in Adygea

The Adygea Republic's Institute of Humanitarian Studies (ARIHS) has fired about 45 researchers, as reported by the bosses of the Institute. The dismissed specialists claim that it will be very hard for them to get employed – there are no more such institutions in Adygea.

As explained by a source from the administration of the Institute, the decision to reduce the staff was made by the Russia's Ministry of Education and Sciences. The fired employees sent a letter to the leadership of the republic. The Institute is engaged mainly in studying the Adyg (Circassian) issues and Slav-Adyg cultural ties.

On May 7, 2013, Dmitry Livanov, the head of the above Ministry, said that the academic stuff at higher schools exceeds the norms by 40-50%. Then experts criticized Livanov, saying that the Minister urged universities to layoff the staff.

Saniyat Bemukhova, a specialist in the Adyg folklore said that she was dismissed because of the absence of a scientific degree.

"There is no alternative for us in the republic; we don't know where to go – to some plant or factory; we can't become traders; the only thing we can do is writing," she said.