International conference on current geographical and geological issues held at YSU

At the international conference, specialists of the field presented the role of geological and geographical sciences in resource utilization (mineral, water, land, energy, recreation, demographic, etc.), economic development, territorial organization and management, as well as addressed the current issues in science and offered possible solutions.

Rafayel Barkhudaryan, Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs at YSU, highlighted the importance of holding similar events and pointed out that the university is ready to support initiatives aimed at scientific and educational developments while forging new partnership ties. 

"We highly value the YSU Geography and Geology Faculty’s initiatives aligned with international standards. Given the necessity of managing the natural resources utilization properly, there is a need to ensure the refinement of specialists’ knowledge through similar scientific events as well," R. Barkhudaryan mentioned.   

Sargis Kelyan, Dean of the YSU Geography and Geology Faculty, referring to the main objectives of the conference, emphasized that the most current issues are addressed through the reports. 

"Within the framework of the conference, the modern issues in resource potential utilization, economic development and territorial organization are presented, which are facing Armenia today and require serious and sound scientific solutions. In addition to addressing the problems in detail, the conference focuses on offering possible solutions for these problems. These endeavors aim to support economic development, particularly in priority sectors, with a strong scientific foundation," said S. Kelyan.

Scientific organizations from various countries submitted applications for participation in the conference in different formats.

Professor Alexander Druzhinin, Doctor of Geological Sciences, President of the Russian Association of Social Scientists and Geoscientists, also participated in the conference online. He emphasized that Armenian and Russian geoscientists have been cooperating for many years, and he has known the surnames of the best and most esteemed Armenian specialists in the field since the Soviet era.  

"Currently, numerous Russian geoscientists maintain cooperative relations with their Armenian colleagues, which is very important. Given our common professional interests, the expansion of such cooperation is simply imperative. It is necessary to foster geographical thinking and develop a joint scientific culture to inform, as well as analyze the significant global changes, since geographical changes also have a great impact on socio-economic processes," said Alexander Druzhinin and added that he would be happy to see Armenian geoscientists at the annual conference of the Russian Association of Social Scientists and Geologists.

At the conference, specialists of the field addressed a wide array of topics, including the issues of balanced development of territories and regional politics in Armenia, land rights and demarcation, socio-demographic concerns of the population, economic growth and ecological challenges.

Armenian and foreign specialists shared their scientific and practical experiences promoting the establishment of new connections and cooperation.    

The international conference was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, representatives of the teaching staff of the YSU Faculty of Geography and Geology, as well as researchers and specialists from various international and Armenian universities and research institutions.