YSU STUDENTS DEVELOP PROFESSIONAL THINKING. THE "NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MODEL" SIMULATION GAME WAS HELD

The purpose of the "National Assembly Model" is to familiarize students with the functions of the RA legislative body through courses and a simulation game, and to create a platform to raise issues in various fields and ways to solve them.

It is worth noting that the Student Council of the Faculty of International Relations of YSU regularly organizes events aimed not only at the entertainment of students but also at the development of professional knowledge.

In a conversation with us, Artur Tadevosyan, the president of the Faculty's Student Council, referring to their role and the opportunities provided, said, "Organization of similar events is always important in the faculty, as evidenced by the previously organized EU and UN models. Even today, looking back at the professional sphere, we see that many representatives of international organizations were students of the faculty, as well as representatives of the Student Council. I can confidently say that the Student Council offers wide opportunities, if you are able to use them correctly."

It is a fact that the students of the faculty showed high activity in participating in this game. This is evidenced by the applications of more than 60 students to participate in the game, from which only the most informed students about the National Assembly were selected as a result of interviews.

In a conversation with us, Martin Khurshudyan, the head of the scientific and educational committee of the faculty's Student Council, spoke to us about the organization of the simulation game, noting that compared to previous years, it differs in its format and scale.

Speaking about the differences, Martin emphasized, "If in the past the participants created parties, drew up a program, campaigned, this time the game was organized in such a way that the participants presented themselves as deputies who follow the political processes and have their ideology and vision of Armenia's development."

It is noteworthy that such conditions were created that the participating students felt like they were in the fictitious National Assembly.

"Basically, the number of participants should have been 101, but it was not possible to attract so many participants to the competition with the model organized in university conditions. Two major parties based on the American model, the Republican and the Democratic, were formed with the symbols of the lion and the eagle respectively.

As for the "Vahan" party, which has the RA coat of arms as its symbol, testifies to the unity of the country," explained M. Khurshudyan.

In the conversation with us, the representatives of the "Republican" and "Democratic" parties referred to their ideology.

Armen Mkrtchyan, the candidate for the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the winning party, stated that the idea of anti-globalization is included in the common ideas. He also mentioned that, according to the ideology, investing foreign capital in Armenia would be an important provision. Speaking from foreign policy, he said that integration processes in various international organizations would be important.

Ani Arsenyan, a member of the "Democratic" party, speaking from the created faction, said that it would be liberal and strive for European integration.

"Our goal is to build a strong Armenia," Ani emphasized in the conversation with us.

She highlighted the opportunity provided by the SC to participate in similar events and to better visualize the structure and role of the National Assembly.

Valery Musheghyan, a member of the "Vahan" faction of the simulation game, stated that he has participated in such events many times, and for him, this was another opportunity to develop professional thinking.

"The party I am a member of must have a unified ideology, and understanding which party's ideas correspond to it, must make a choice. We can say that we have the most responsible part, because the outcome of the game depends on the victory of "Vahan" itself," Valery stressed.

At the end of the game, all participants received certificates.