The Funding Organization: USAID: NGO Strengthening Program / World Learning Armenia
Dates: December 23, 2003 - June 30, 2004

The purpose of this project was to increase public awareness on costs of corruption at admission exams in higher educational institutions of the Republic of Armenia.

During the project implementation the series of seminars for 9th and 10th grade students and their parents were conducted in 11 regions of Armenia:Yerevan, Shirak (Akhuryan), Lori (Vanadzor), Kotayk (Abovyan), Tavush (Dilijan), Vayots Dzor (Aghavnadzor), Armavir (Armavir ), Ararat (Surenavan), Aragatsotn (Oshakan), Gegharkunik (Gavar).

During the seminars the participants received comprehensive answers to their questions concerning local and international educational systems, particularly on issues related to the admission exams.

Interactive discussions were conducted. During these discussions the participants analysed the negative consequences of the illegal admissions to universities for them and for society in general. The effectiveness of the seminars was evaluated by the participants anonymously. At the end of the Program a Talk Show was organized via National TV Channel. This project was implemented in the partnership with the "Education without Frontiers" NGO.

The Board of Partner organization "Education without Frontiers" includes 11 school principals, who are alumni of the program "School Administrators Training Initiative" sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State and implemented by the "Project Harmony" organization. These principals were trained in the USA. They represent 11 regions (marzes) of Armenia.