A group of students from various educational programs at the YSU Faculty of Economics and Management paid a study visit to Yerevan Brandy Company under the guidance of Vardan Aleksanyan, Head of the Faculty Office, Deputy Dean and Associate Professor.
During the visit, the students had the opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the operations of one of Armenia's best-known production companies with long-standing traditions. They toured the factory premises, visited production and storage areas, and learned about the technological process of brandy production, the specifics of raw material selection and processing, as well as brandy aging conditions. The tour of the company's historic cellars was of particular interest, during which the students learned about the history of Armenian brandy production and the conditions and features of ensuring the company's compliance with international product quality standards. After the tour of the factory premises, a brandy tasting was organized for the students.
As part of the visit, the students also met with Sergey Khachatryan, Executive Director of Yerevan Brandy Company. Notably, Khachatryan is a graduate of the YSU Faculty of Economics and Management and has actively supported the faculty's various educational, scientific and professional initiatives for many years, strengthening university-business cooperation.
During the meeting, he presented the company's management system, the specifics of organizing production, the work carried out to ensure effective supply chain management and optimization, as well as the company's sales and marketing strategy. He also addressed the geography of exports, pointing to the main factors ensuring competitiveness in the international market and the range of countries where Armenian brandy is represented.
The participants also discussed current challenges in the beverage production sector, changes in consumer preferences, the application of international quality management standards, trends in the digitalization of production, and the importance of introducing sustainable development principles. The students asked questions about production planning, demand forecasting, the organization of logistics processes, brand development and positioning in the international market.
The meeting took place in an active and constructive atmosphere. The students had the opportunity to receive answers to their questions, hear practical advice and learn about the specifics of managerial decision-making in a real business environment. Khachatryan also shared his own experience, from studying with high academic performance and being actively involved in student life at the YSU Faculty of Economics and Management to joining Yerevan Brandy Company and holding various positions there.
Such meetings are important for students' professional orientation, the practical application of theoretical knowledge, and the establishment and strengthening of ties with the business community.
At the end of the visit, Deputy Dean Vardan Aleksanyan thanked Sergey Khachatryan, executive director of Yerevan Brandy Company CJSC, for the warm welcome and for his willingness to share experience and knowledge. He also noted that ties between the YSU Faculty of Economics and Management and the company are continuously strengthening, with new agreements being reached and new areas of cooperation being outlined. Highlighting the importance of such initiatives, he emphasized their significance in combining university education with practical experience and gaining a deeper understanding of the specific features of organizations' activities.
