Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation delegation visits YSU

Decades of trust and new horizons

Established in Lisbon in 1956, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation has consistently supported efforts to preserve Armenian identity, protect and develop the Armenian language and culture, and advance education and science through its Armenian Communities Department. The department provides scholarships and grants in education, science, research and culture, with particular focus on the Armenian Diaspora and the preservation and development of Western Armenian. Each year, the department allocates approximately €1 million to university scholarships and a further €2.5 million to project grants.

During the meeting, Elina Asriyan, YSU Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, and Rafayel Barkhudaryan, Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs, presented the university's educational and research priorities, as well as its internationalization initiatives. The two sides also explored opportunities to expand the university's library collection, support academic publications and strengthen research collaboration. 

From library to research laboratories: delegation's tour at YSU

Visit to YSU Sarkis and Marie Izmirlian Library

The delegation visited the YSU Sarkis and Marie Izmirlian Library, where members explored its holdings, including unique Armenian studies and academic collections, as well as its modern student reading rooms.   

The library's Department of Antiquarian, Rare and Art Literature houses a dedicated collection of approximately 3,377 items donated by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. More than 90 valuable books have also recently been added to the library's collection and will be available to students for study and research.   

Pulse of science at Physics Institute laboratories

The delegation then visited laboratories at the YSU Physics Institute, where they learned about experimental work conducted by the university's young scientists and researchers. They also discussed opportunities to integrate scientific and technological innovations and international research programs.

Members of the delegation

The delegation was led by António M. Feijó, President of the Foundation's Board of Trustees. Other members of the delegation included Rui Esgaio, Secretary-General of the Foundation; Rui Gonçalves, Director of Legal Services; Razmik Panossian, Director of the Armenian Communities Department; Shogher Margossian, Assistant Director of the department; Isabel Capeloa Gil, Non-Executive Trustee.  

On cooperation and purpose of visit

We spoke with Razmik Panossian, Director of the Armenian Communities Department, about the foundation's cooperation with YSU and the purpose of the visit. 

– Mr. Panossian, how would you describe the foundation's cooperation with YSU, and which areas do you see as priorities? 

– Our department runs several research projects, mainly in the social sciences, history and political science. YSU researchers are also involved in these projects. 

One of our projects involves translating academic works in the social sciences into Armenian. We collaborate with representatives of YSU and other academic institutions on this initiative.

We are also planning several initiatives with YSU, including expanding and modernizing the university's library collection.

The foundation also offers a "Conference and Travel Grant" program, through which young professionals from various fields can receive funding to attend international conferences abroad. YSU representatives also actively participate in this program. 

In addition, the foundation supports certain YSU academic publications, helping to disseminate research findings.

– What role does YSU play in the foundation's educational and research programs?

– We have worked with Armenia's academic community for many years because science is fundamental to the country's development. Developing critical thinking, particularly in the social sciences, is an important part of our programs.

One of our goals is to foster a research culture and promote analytical approaches in history, political science and sociology. 

YSU has been one of our key partners for more than 15 years. We see continued cooperation as essential to developing the academic environment, improving research quality and fostering critical thinking.  

– What is the main purpose of your visit to Armenia?

– This is the first time a delegation of this kind, led by the foundation's Board of Trustees, has visited Armenia. To mark the foundation's 70th anniversary, Board members wanted to get to know Armenia, the Armenian people and the foundation's key partners, including Yerevan State University, firsthand. The visit aims to strengthen longstanding ties and explore opportunities for further cooperation.

– What are your colleagues' impressions of Armenia and YSU?

– Many of our Portuguese colleagues are visiting Armenia for the first time. The visit has allowed them to get to know both the country and the university. We also traveled outside Yerevan to visit Tatev, giving them an opportunity to see more of Armenia. They are very impressed.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of continued cooperation in education and science, further development of programs to preserve Western Armenian, and support for young researchers.