AGREEMENT

The Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus (hereinafter referred to individually as the “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”)

CONSIDERING the spirit of the friendly relations existing between the two States,

DESIROUS to promote exchange and cooperation in the field of science and higher education,

WISHING to facilitate for the students of the two States to continue their studies in the respective other State, aware of the existing similarities between the two States in the field of higher education,

have agreed as follows,

ARTICLE 1

Aim

The aim of this Agreement is the mutual recognition of Academic Qualifications issued by Institutions of Higher Education of the Republic of Armenia, and the Republic of Cyprus for the purposes of the access and continuation of studies to the institutions of the two States.

ARTICLE 2

Evaluation

a) The present Agreement regulates the mutual recognition of study periods and academic qualifications for the purpose of gaining access to further studies at Higher Education Institutions (hereinafter referred to as “HEIs”) of the two states.

b) Consistent with the current national legislation and the international conventions that the two States have ratified, the Agreement applies to academic qualifications issued by HEIs in the Republic of Armenia and in the Republic of Cyprus.

c) HEIs for the purposes of this Agreement are:

 (i) for the Republic of Cyprus– State Universities and State Higher Education Institutions established according to the laws and regulations of the Republic of Cyprus and private Universities and private Higher Education Institutions that are established and accredited according to the relevant laws and regulations of the Republic of Cyprus and are registered with the Ministry of Education and Culture according to the relevant laws and regulations, of the state; in the case of private Higher Education Institutions, the only titles recognized by the Republic of Cyprus are those from accredited programmes, in accordance with the laws and regulations of the state for the educational evaluation – accreditation of programmes of studies, offered by such private Educational institutions.

(ii) for the Republic of Armenia– All State Higher Education Institutions established according to the laws and regulations of the Republic of Armenia and private Higher Education Institutions that are established and accredited according to the relevant laws and regulations of the Republic of Armenia.

d) Each Party shall notify the other Party through diplomatic channels regarding the list of accredited Institutions and educational programmes of Higher Education of Cyprus and Armenia as to which the present Agreement applies, as well as of any changes made to the list of their accredited HEIs and programmes, in the case of elimination or addition of new institutions and programmes.

ARTICLE 3

Recognition of the Equivalence of Qualifications

For the purpose of access for registration to educational programmes of study to HEIs of the two states, the level of qualifications is recognized as shown in the table below, under the condition that there are no substantial differences.

For the Republic of Cyprus, this condition will be verified by the competent authority for the recognition of higher education qualifications (the Council of Recognition of Higher Qualifications-KYSATS).

For the Republic of Armenia the competent body is the Armenian National Information Center for Academic Recognition and Mobility (ArmENIC).

The Republic of Armenia	The Republic of Cyprus
Level/ Cycle	Level/ Cycle
Short Cycle	Short Cycle
	Certificate (post secondary higher education level) Duration: 1 academic year 60 ECTS credits Diploma (post secondary higher education level) Duration: 2 academic years 120 ECTS credits Higher Education Diploma (post secondary higher education level) Duration: 3 academic years 180 ECTS credits
1stLevel/ Cycle	1st Level/ Cycle
Bachelor Duration: 4 academic years 240 ECTS credits	Ptychio/Bachelor Duration: 4 academic years 240 ECTS credits Diploma of Engineer (for all engineering disciplines including Architecture) Duration: Ptychio + 1 academic year (60 ECTS credits) of 2nd level studies (Ptychio gives access to PhD Level of studies subject to the conditions set by the universities)
2nd Level/ Cycle	2nd Level/ Cycle
Master Minimum duration: 1 academic year, Normal duration: 1.5-2 academic years, 90 – 120 ECTS credits	Master Minimum duration: 1 calendar year, Normal duration: 1.5-2 academic years, 90 – 120 ECTS credits
3rd Level/ Cycle	3rd Level/ Cycle
Candidate of Science Duration: 3 academic years 180 ECTS	Doctorate (PhD) Duration: 3-4 academic years Credits depend on the domain of study

ARTICLE 4

Recognition of Secondary School-leaving Certificates

for the purpose of gaining access to Higher Education Institutions

For entrance to accredited HEIs/programmes of each country, a secondary school leaving certificate (after completing at least 12 years' schooling) or its equivalent qualification, is a prerequisite provided that all the requirements and regulations for every programme of study are satisfied by the regulations of each country, including the language requirements.

ARTICLE 5

Recognition of study periods and examinations

Following their application, students who are planning to pursue a particular programme of study at any accredited HEI of the other country will require recognition of academic documents that have been issued by the accredited HEI of their country; the level, the learning outcomes, time period and the length of studies that have been successfully completed as well as the transfer ECTS credits corresponding to the workload of access qualifications of the programmes of study will be recorded on the documents and recognized; Unless substantial differences are proved by the competent recognition authority the qualification will be granted.

The accredited HEIs in order to facilitate the recognition of the periods of studies and qualifications, shall issue Diploma Supplement or other comparable document.

ARTICLE 6

Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications for Access to the

Next Level/ Cycle of Studies

The two Parties hereby agree that a student from one of the two states, who holds an academic qualification which is recognized in his/her country for the continuation to second or third level/cycle of study at an accredited programme/ HEI, has the right to compete for entrance to accredited programmes/ HEIs of the other state.

The evaluation of the workload of the academic qualifications of one of the two states, for the purposes of entrance to an educational programme of study of the next level of the other state, is the right of the institution in the host state, which may, require the completion and the composition of the credits needed to determine the chosen programme of study.

Enrolment shall only be granted subject to the conditions and requirements provided for by the legislation and the teaching regulations of the host accredited Higher Education Institution for entrance to the particular programme of study.

ARTICLE 7

Access to the Doctorate level

The Cypriot Master Degree, which provides access to Doctoral Programmes of study shall be recognised in Armenia for access to the Doctoral Programmes in compliance with the admission conditions provided by the Armenian legislation for candidates who hold comparable national academic qualifications.

In Cyprus, subject to the conditions set by the universities, access to the Doctoral Programmes can as well be obtained upon completion of the First Cycle (Ptychio) of Studies.

The Armenian Master Degree and Diploma Specialist Degree (5 year progrrame), which provides access to Doctoral Programmes of study shall be recognised in Cyprus for access to the Doctoral Programmes in compliance with the admission conditions provided by the Cypriot legislation for candidates who hold comparable national academic qualifications

ARTICLE 8

Permanent Expert Committee

The Parties have agreed to establish a Permanent Expert Committee with 4 members from each side. The states shall provide the information about members through diplomatic channels.

The Permanent Expert Committee shall have the following functions and responsibilities:

- to confer on all questions arising during the implementation of the Agreement. Any explanatory clarifications will be implemented by the Parties through diplomatic channels.

- to inform about any changes occurred in Higher Education system of one or both states, which may be the result of amendments in the laws/regulations of each state or the result of international bodies, discuss the influences these changes may have on the Agreement, and submit proposals for amendments to the Agreement through diplomatic channels, which may be deemed necessary.

The Permanent Expert Committee will convene at the request of one of the Parties. The venue will be agreed each time through diplomatic channels.

ARTICLE 9

Entry into force

This Agreement shall enter into force 60 days after the date on which the Parties shall notify each other that their respective internal procedures, for the Agreement to enter into force, have been completed.

This Agreement may be amended by the Parties’ mutual consent expressed in writing through diplomatic channels. Any amendment shall enter into force, following the procedure set out in the first paragraph of this article.

ARTICLE 10

Termination

This Agreement shall be concluded for an unlimited period. Either Party may terminate the Agreement at any time, by giving written notice to the other, through diplomatic channels. The termination shall take effect six months after notice of termination has been received by the other Party.

The termination of this Agreement shall not affect the rights acquired by holders of academic qualifications which had been recognized before the termination of the Agreement. In addition, the procedure for the evaluation of applications, which had been submitted prior to the termination of the Agreement, shall be completed.

In witness whereof, the undersigned, being duly authorized thereto by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.

Done at Nicosia on 15 March 2016, in duplicate in the English language.

The Agreement has entered into force on 20 May 2019