A G R E E M E N T

BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LEBANON ON THE MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF HIGHER AND POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

The Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Republic of Lebanon, hereinafter referred to as ''the Parties'',

guided by desire to enhance cooperation in the field of education and science, with the purpose of mutual recognition of higher and postgraduate education qualifications,

have agreed on the following:

Article 1

1. For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meaning:

a. "higher education" - all types of courses of study, or sets of courses of study at the post secondary level which are recognized by the competent authority of the Party as belonging to its higher education system;

b. "postgraduate education" - all types of courses of study, or sets of courses of study at the post higher education level which are recognized by the competent authority of the Party as belonging to its postgraduate education system;

c. "higher and postgraduate education qualification" - any degree, diploma, or other certificate issued by a higher or postgraduate education institution, attesting the successful completion of a higher or postgraduate education program;

d. "higher or postgraduate education institution" - a public or private establishment providing higher or postgraduate education and recognized by the competent authority of a Party as belonging to its system of higher or postgraduate education;

e. "recognition" - a formal acknowledgement by a competent authority of one Party of value of a educational qualification issued in the territory of State of the other Party with a view to access to educational and/or employment activities;

f. "access to higher or postgraduate education" - the right of candidates to apply and to be considered for admission to higher or postgraduate education programs on the basis of a relevant qualifications of secondary and post-secondary education levels;

g. "competent authority" - Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia, Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lebanon, or the other authorities designated by the Parties of the Agreement, or their successors.

Article 2

The Parties shall exchange the information regarding the qualifications in the 2 countries, especially the higher education system, the used credit system, the number of years of credits for every degree.

Article 3

Each Party shall, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, recognize the higher and postgraduate education qualifications issued by the higher and post graduate institutions of the other Party. Nevertheless, an individual qualification is not subject of automatic recognition, it should be evaluated and placed accordingly in the education system of the Party.

Article 4

In order to facilitate recognition of the qualifications, the Parties should regularly exchange the updated list of recognized (accredited) institutions belonging to their higher education systems.

Article 5

The recognition of an individual qualification is subject of assessment by the competent recognition body. The procedures of assessment are defined by each Party.

Article 6

The Parties should create favorable conditions for exchange of their students and academic staff.

Article 7

Any dispute arising from interpretation or implementation of this Agreement shall be settled through consultations and negotiations by the Parties.

Article 8

The Parties may amend this Agreement by mutual consent. Amendements should be formulated by separate protocols, constituting an integral part of the Agreement and shall enter into force in accordance to the procedures provided by the Agreement.

Article 9

This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the last notification by the Parties through diplomatic channels on completion of internal procedures required for its entry into force, and shall remain valid until either Party notifies the other on its intention to terminate this agreement by giving a writing notice six (6) months in advance.

The provisions of the Agreement shall apply to everybody, who had seek academic or employment opportunities in the Republic of Armenia or the Republic of Lebanon before termination of the Agreement.

Done in Beirut, on November 26, 2012, in two original copies, each in Armenian, Arabic and English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In cases of divergence in the interpretation, the English text shall prevail.

The Agreement has entered into force on 21 May 2013.