Exploring new collaboration prospects: YSU enhances ties with Universities of Bucharest and Sofia

The conferences held at the mentioned universities were of pivotal importance, not only for the teaching staff, ensuring new opportunities for international collaboration, but also for students, encouraging them to pursue careers in science.

The international conference held at Sofia University, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Department of Iranian Studies, was attended by leading experts and young scientists from various countries around the world. During the conference, scholars discussed the latest trends in regional studies and the newest scientific approaches.

From YSU Faculty of Oriental Studies, the following representatives participated in the conference: PhD, Associate Professor Artyom Tonoyan, Assistant Noonik Darbinian, PhD, Assistant Liana Petrosyan, and lecturers Arpine Arushanyan, Aharon Vardanyan, Garik Misakyan, Nare Gevorgyan, and Siranush Vardanyan. They presented their latest research and discussed opportunities for academic collaboration.

Liana Petrosyan, PhD, Assistant at the Chair of Iranian Studies at YSU, speaking about the collaboration between Yerevan State University and Sofia University, noted: "The materials from the conference held at Sofia University are being prepared for publication. Plans are also in place to expand exchange programs and, in the near future, to organize a visit by representatives from Sofia University to YSU to further enhance collaboration."  

Aharon Vardanyan, a lecturer at YSU Faculty of Oriental Studies, spoke about the discussions held as part of the conference and meetings with foreign partners, emphasizing that based on the proposals from Sofia University partners, an agreement was reached to hold 4-, 6- and 12-week Persian language courses for foreign students, aiming to enhance student exchange programs.  

At the First International Conference on Iranian Studies held at the University of Bucharest (Romania), the following representatives from YSU participated: PhD, Associate Professor Hakob Avchyan, PhD Liana Petrosyan, and lecturers Arpine Arushanyan and Garik Misakyan.

Representatives from YSU presented specialized reports. Liana Petrosyan and Garik Misakyan spoke on the topic of "Red Kurdistan", Hakob Avchyan presented a linguistic report, and Arpine Arushanyan discussed extreme Shia sects in the Middle East.  

During the conference, YSU delegation met with the heads of the Department of Iranian Studies at the University of Bucharest, who highly praised the achievements of YSU Iranian Studies Chair in the field.

According to Garik Misakyan, representatives from the University of Bucharest noted that the Iranian studies literature at their university is limited, primarily sourced from the Iranian consulate, whereas the Chair of Iranian Studies at YSU is considered one of the best centers in the world, with a rich collection of specialized literature.

Artyom Tonoyan, Liana Petrosyan, and Garik Misakyan participated in both conferences with the funding of the Higher Education and Science Committee of the Republic of Armenia as part of the project titled "The Kurds of Azerbaijan and the Issue of 'Red Kurdistan' in the Aftermath of the Second Artsakh War" of the "Young Researchers Research Support Program-2022" program.

It is planned to hold an international conference at Yerevan State University in December 2025, in cooperation with the University of Cambridge. Representatives from Sofia University and the University of Bucharest have been invited to participate, with the goal of establishing new collaborations.