YSU rector faces criticism over political video share

Yerevan State University (YSU) Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan has come under fire after sharing a campaign video featuring a candidate from the ruling Civil Contract Party on his Facebook page. The video shows Defense Minister Suren Papikyan fiercely criticizing political opponents.

Armen Avetisyan, President of the Trade Union of Higher Education Institutions of Armenia, condemned the move, citing Armenia’s law on higher education and science. He highlighted Article 31.6, which stipulates that public university rectors may not hold party membership and are required to maintain political neutrality and restraint throughout their tenure.

Avetisyan described the rector’s actions as a violation of statutory duties and questioned whether the YSU Academic Council supports “this disgrace”.