Graduates of top 50 global universities may qualify for exemption from military service in Armenia

By Lia Avagyan

Armenian citizens who graduate from one of the world’s top 50 universities may qualify for exemption from compulsory military service after working in designated sectors in Armenia for at least three years, the Education Ministry said.

The measure applies to citizens who studied full-time in bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral programs. The list of eligible universities is based on the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities.

The government says the policy is intended to encourage Armenian citizens to study at leading international universities and later use their knowledge and professional skills in sectors considered important for the country’s development.

Those sectors include public administration, education and science, defense industry, high technology, healthcare and finance.

Eligible public-sector employment includes work in the presidential administration, ministries, the Prime Minister’s Office, government bodies, parliament, the judiciary and autonomous state institutions.

In education and science, graduates must work at scientific organizations or licensed educational institutions in Armenia.

For the defense industry, high-tech, healthcare, and financial sectors, employment must be with organizations included in lists approved by the relevant ministries or the Central Bank.

The lists for defense and high-tech companies were approved by the Ministry of High-Tech Industry and Artificial Intelligence on Sept. 2. The healthcare list was approved in late August, while the Central Bank approved the list of eligible financial organizations on Aug. 28.