New opportunities for advancing continuing education at YSU

Yerevan State University and the Armenian office of DVV International, the Institute for International Cooperation of the German Adult Education Association, have signed a memorandum of understanding with the view to promoting the development of the adult education and continuing education system through collaborative programs.

For years, YSU Continuing Education Center has been implementing various postgraduate and continuing education programs, particularly aimed at enhancing the professional and pedagogical qualifications of faculty members, teachers in pre-university educational institutions, and retraining state and civil servants.

DVV International, with around 20 years of experience in the field of adult education, has carried out several educational initiatives in Armenia with the support of the German government and international organizations. As part of its program, the organization plans to implement a number of initiatives with YSU from 2025 to 2027, introducing new teaching methods and advancing the field of continuing education.

Within the framework of the cooperation, it is planned to conduct a course on the "Fundamentals of Adult Learning and Education" for YSU faculty members, as well as introduce a new course on "Andragogy" in bachelor’s and master’s programs at YSU. Furthermore, the cooperation will focus on developing e-learning, conducting research, and organizing conferences.

According to the memorandum, DVV International and YSU will work on the development and dissemination of non-formal education programs, as well as create innovative educational modules that meet modern requirements.

YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan emphasized the importance of this cooperation, noting that it is a significant step towards strengthening the university's initiatives aimed at continuing education and societal development.

The Director of the Armenian Office of DVV International, Esther Hakobyan, also highlighted the potential of the cooperation, stating that the implementation of the programs outlined in the memorandum will foster the improvement and expansion of adult education in the Armenian educational system.

Both parties assured that, through joint efforts, they will support the creation of new opportunities and the expansion of access to knowledge in the field of continuing education.

The meeting was also attended by Lusine Kharatyan, Director of YSU Continuing Education Center, and Avetik Mejlumyan, Director of YSU Library after Sarkis and Marie Izmirlian.