The draft law proposes several significant changes such as:

• Merger and Consolidation of Higher Education Institutions: A significant point of discussion involves merging universities, including the potential integration of National Academy of Sciences (NAS) institutes into universities, to create larger and more competitive institutions. The aim is to enhance international competitiveness and improve resource management. However, concerns have been raised about the potential loss of autonomy for academic institutions and the impact on regional universities.
• New Quality Control Standards: The draft law proposes establishing new standards for quality control, including revised licensing and accreditation processes for higher education institutions.
• Shift to Horizontal Management Model: The traditional vertical model of university management may be replaced with a horizontal one, aiming to create more independent levels of management and regulation within higher education institutions.
• Transformation of the National Academy of Sciences: The NAS is proposed to become a foundation operating on the principle of autonomy.
• Academic City Project: The draft law is closely linked to the “Academic City” project, which envisions creating a new, modern infrastructure hub for higher education and science on the outskirts of Yerevan, potentially involving the relocation and consolidation of several institutions.
• Funding Mechanisms: The draft law addresses the principles and mechanisms for providing state financial support to higher education institutions and scientific organizations, including state scholarships and tuition fee reimbursement. A key principle mentioned is that students with good academic standing should not be excluded from university due to financial constraints.
• Emphasis on Research-Based Education: There is a stated aim to shift towards a more research-based higher education system. However, concerns have been raised that this could potentially sideline “teaching universities”.
• Support for Innovation and Commercialization: The law intends to introduce legal measures to support innovation promotion and the commercialization of research outcomes.
• Governance Structure: The draft law proposes limiting the size of university governing boards to 12 members, with equal representation from the university (including a student) and external stakeholders (business, public sector, education). It also prohibits state or political officials from being part of these boards.
• Structured Degree Framework: It formalizes a three-tier system comprising Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees, ensuring compatibility with the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and facilitating the recognition of Armenian qualifications abroad.
• Internationalization of Higher Education: The law includes provisions to promote international cooperation, student and staff mobility, and the recognition of foreign qualifications, thereby enhancing Armenia’s global academic integration.
• Quality Assurance and Accreditation: New standards for licensing and accreditation are established to ensure that Armenian higher education institutions meet international quality benchmarks, which is crucial for the mutual recognition of qualifications.
• Introduction of Micro-credentials: The draft law recognizes micro-credentials and acknowledges diverse forms of learning, which can be particularly beneficial for lifelong learning and professional development.

It is important to note that the draft law has undergone several revisions and debates. Currently, discussions are still ongoing, with a commitment to continue debates and organize public discussions after a revised version of the draft becomes available. The exact final content and implications of the new law will be clearer once it is finalized and adopted.