THE YSU INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION DEPARTMENT SUMMARIZES ANNUAL ACTIVITIES

Head of the Department, Ph.D., Professor Alexander Margarov, referring to the new collaborations with foreign universities, emphasizes the work carried out with the universities of Qatar, Bucharest, and Maine (France), noting, "There is great potential in those universities, which if used correctly, will give an excellent result. Now we are negotiating with the above-mentioned universities: for example, we are planning to work with the University of Maine in two directions: materials science and data science. In addition, we are currently discussing new double degree programs with several foreign universities, which will be more exciting, but at the same time binding for future students of educational programs. One of the successes of the university and the department was that four students from the universities of Cambridge and Edinburgh came to Yerevan State University, who studied at the Faculty of Oriental Studies of YSU and studies Persian for 12 weeks. For the next 2023-2024 academic year, other British universities will be added to the ranks of these universities, including Oxford University.

"One of the most important works we have done is the implementation of a joint grant program with Arizona State University, within the framework of which the master's educational program "American Studies" was introduced at YSU and the YSU American Studies Center was created. Due to successful activities within the framework of the above-mentioned cooperation, the international two-day conference entitled "Armenia, the United States and regional transformations in Eurasia. Expansion of Transnational Mutual Understanding" took place in YSU, which was one of the additional contributions made by YSU in this program”, states Al. Margarov.

Speaking about a number of the biggest projects implemented during the year, Al. Margarov emphasizes, "In the ongoing year, we implemented the "MODEST" and "MINERVA" projects, within the framework of the "MODEST" project of the "Erasmus+" program, we opened an academic writing center and organized an international doctoral school."

It should be noted that the university participated in more than 30 international grant programs, as Yerevan State University is one of the centers with which international organizations cooperate for organizing various training courses.

"In this academic year, we have won an important program that allows American students to come to YSU and enrich their knowledge in the period of one semester to one academic year. Now we are negotiating with the University of Georgia so that in 2024 students of that university come to YSU to study. In addition to cooperation with American higher education institutions, many Japanese students will also come to YSU to participate in courses with the financing of the "Erasmus+" international credit mobility program," the professor emphasizes.

Considering the demand and the interest of the university students in the training courses, this year the department also restarted the almost two-month grant writing training for post-graduate students and young professionals, in which approximately 30 university students participated.

Congratulating university students on the upcoming New Year and Christmas, the representatives of the YSU International Cooperation Department wish the coming year to be a year of academic achievements, effective collaborations, and promising new projects. According to them, the steps were taken by the department, especially the exchange programs and conferences, which are aimed at expanding the worldview of YSU students, strengthening their knowledge, discovering new cultures, and presenting Armenia abroad in the best possible way. The department will continue its activities with new enthusiasm in 2023, creating new opportunities and cooperative relations with foreign higher education institutions.

Ani Sukiasyan