On February 12, 2010 the session of the Academic Council conferring Academic Degrees in “Political Institutions and Processes” and “International Relations” specializations, took place at the Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS). The Members of the Academic Council are Arman Kirakosyan, Doctor of History, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Armenia; Aram Simonyan, Doctor of History, Rector of Yerevan State University; Nikolay Hovhannisyan, Doctor of History, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences, Mariam Margaryan, Doctor of Political Sciences and other distinguished experts in Political Science and History.

The Chairman of the council, Advisor to the Minister of Defense, Head of INSS, Doctor of Political Sciences, Major General Hayk Kotanjian pointed out that the second public defense of doctoral thesis in the field of defense security oriented political sciences is an important event which will foster the development of that particular field of political science. He also emphasized the fact that this defense is taking place on the eve of the launch of post graduate studies at the INSS, which is a very important step for the institute. The public defense of “Semi-Presidentialism in the Post-Soviet region” Doctoral Thesis presented for the Doctoral Academic Degree in Political Sciences in “Political Institutions and Processes” specialization by Alexander Markarov, Candidate of Philosophy and Docent of Yerevan State University was on the session’s agenda. The Doctoral Thesis was highly appreciated by the members of the Academic Council and the guests. The participants also pointed out that INSS in the process of its development has become the leading institution for the preparation of high level specialists in this field. The Institute deepens its cooperation with other leading Think Tanks. While bringing its unique and valuable contribution to the development of security oriented political science in Armenia, the Institute continues to gather Armenia’s intellectual potential in defense and security fields and facilitate to the formation and development of relevant academic environment. After the discussion a voting took place, which conferred the Doctor of Political Sciences degree to the Alexander Markarov.