Armenia's Path Forward: Education, Innovation, and Opportunity

Many people look at Armenia and say, "We must finally implement X." Others propose, "Someone should do Y to achieve Z." Ideas are abundant, yet meaningful action often lags behind.

I’ve shared my own ideas too. Many align with my libertarian ideals—envisioning Armenia as a country with fewer regulations and a free market that fosters innovation. But before dreaming big, let’s take a step back and examine what’s already working and where we can improve.

One undeniable truth is that Armenia’s future lies in its next generation. This is a view shared by many of the brightest minds in the country. The focus, therefore, must be on education. Unfortunately, the current state of education tells a sobering story. Armenia’s universities are far from competing on a global scale. Rankings like the QS World University Rankings are a stark reminder: how can Armenia aspire to become an innovation hub without even one university in the top 100?

Compare this to Singapore—a country often cited as a role model for Armenia. Its universities are ranked 8th and 15th globally. Singapore didn’t achieve this by chance; it invested heavily in education as a cornerstone of its national strategy.

But building a world-class university in Armenia is not step one; it’s step four or five. To reach that point, we need great students and great professors. And here, we can draw inspiration from South Korea. After the Korean War, South Korea sent thousands of students abroad, particularly to the United States. When these students returned, they brought back knowledge, expertise, and ambition that helped modernize the nation. Today, South Korea is home to global giants like Samsung and Hyundai.

For Armenia, the sequence could look like this:

1. Empower Armenian students to study abroad. Ensure every Armenian high school graduate has access to international opportunities. Build partnerships between Armenian high schools and world-class universities.
2. Elevate high school education in Armenia. Develop extraordinary high schools that prepare students to excel in the world’s top universities.
3. Create incentives for students to return. Build an ecosystem that encourages graduates to come back. This includes support for startups, opportunities for academic careers, and a thriving economic base.
4. Establish a world-class university in Armenia. Once we’ve laid the groundwork, Armenia can focus on creating a university that competes with the best in the world.

From a libertarian perspective, achieving this vision requires one critical principle: don’t overcomplicate things. Remove the barriers for those willing to contribute to this vision. Let innovation thrive in an environment free of unnecessary regulations.

Armenia has the potential to be a nation of pioneers—a country that doesn’t just follow global trends but creates them. It all starts with education. The great thing is that we are already on the way if we look at schools like Ayb or other high schools, which will help make this idea a reality.

Let’s get to work.