Values, history, and legacy: Journey of YSU Faculty of Economics and Management in a book-album

According to the Dean of YSU Faculty of Economics and Management, Karlen Khachatryan, one of the key issues discussed when planning the program for the faculty’s 90th anniversary events was how to present the faculty's journey. Following discussions, the decision was made to create a book-album.

The book-album, titled "Yerevan State University Faculty of Economics and Management - 90", published through the efforts of YSU Publishing House, summarizes the faculty's history, highlights its achievements over the years, and acknowledges the individuals who have made invaluable contributions to the faculty's establishment and development.

"When we began working on this, we realized that the material was quite extensive, and the chosen format was the best option. If you look at the structure of the book, you will see that we have tried to include every significant aspect of the faculty's activities," said the dean, emphasizing that since the establishment of the university, economic education has been one of its important areas.

From the Faculty's Formation to the Present Day: What the Book Covers

The book-album consists of 14 sections, which thoroughly present the 90-year history and development of YSU Faculty of Economics and Management. 

Readers can explore the history of the faculty’s creation and development, learning that it was formed as a separate division in the 1933-1934 academic year. The book also honors the people who have played a crucial role in the faculty's establishment and growth. 

The history of YSU Faculty of Economics and Management, which was founded with a small staff and limited resources, progresses to a period of development and new initiatives. As the book progresses through the most significant milestones in the faculty's history, it introduces the people who have made numerous contributions to science, education, and public life. Among them, readers can find both the faculty members who overcame many challenges and remained crucial to the faculty’s establishment, as well as alumni who have become renowned specialists and are recognized as the faculty’s best graduates. The book even offers a chance to see the faculty’s first students and professors.  

The book covers topics such as the formation of the faculty, deans, administrative bodies, chairs, educational programs, scientific life, international connections, collaborations, student life, alumni, benefactors, and key events. These sections provide a comprehensive view of the faculty's development, including scholarships, participation in the Artsakh wars, and more. The stories, events, and figures from the book’s first pages accompany the reader, offering a condensed overview of the faculty's life with photographs that capture its vibrant moments.

The Challenge of Collecting Information

Although the work of creating the book-album, gathering data, and ensuring accuracy was complex and time-consuming, the creative team worked cohesively. Over the years, the collected stories, facts, photographs, and biographies required unwavering effort and attention to every detail. Thanks to persistent and diligent work, even seemingly inaccessible information was found, from the founding of the faculty to its greatest achievements. This process included both historical facts and the biographies of notable figures.

For gathering important information in chronological order, key sources included YSU archival documents, YSU History Museum, biographies of renowned professors, publications related to the participation of university staff in the Great Patriotic War and the Artsakh liberation struggle, as well as periodicals from YSU "Vardanank" patriotic education club.

Hasmik Margaryan, the Editorial Secretary, noted that although the book was published after the anniversary events, it also contains information and photographs of the events held in October 2024. 

"The work on creating the book-album, which involved collecting important information about the organization of economic education at YSU, the establishment and various phases of the faculty’s development as a separate division, was coordinated by the editorial board, led by the faculty’s dean. The editorial board is hopeful that this book-album, summarizing the long and fruitful path of YSU Faculty of Economics and Management, will serve as a source for documenting future anniversary events celebrating the faculty’s educational and scientific achievements," said Hasmik Margaryan, Secretary of the Faculty’s Scientific Council, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor.   

Thus, this book-album offers a unique opportunity for a "journey" through time, revealing the values that continue to "live" to this day.