16 universities, one platform: Armenian University Coalition for Biodiversity at COP17

During the event, YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, Vice-Rector for International Relations, Development and Innovations Mikayel Hovhannisyan, and Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs Rafayel Barkhudaryan visited the pavilion and learned about the research projects and youth initiatives presented there.

Highlighting the importance of bringing together 16 Armenian universities around a single initiative, YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan emphasized that university cooperation can play a significant role in developing science-based solutions to the environmental challenges facing the country. 

"The strength of universities is determined not only by the scientific potential, but also by their ability to combine that potential and turn it into shared results. For us, it is essential that YSU not only develop its own research capabilities but also create platforms for collaboration where scientists and students from different universities can work on common challenges. Biodiversity conservation is precisely one of those areas where science must be directly connected to public policy, the economy and society. By establishing this coalition, we aim to foster a culture of collaboration whose results will remain visible beyond COP17," the rector said.

Discussing the coalition's significance and prospects, Mikayel Hovhannisyan noted that this is the first initiative to bring Armenian universities together around biodiversity.

"This event serves as a starting point, and the coalition will continue operating for at least the next two years. Our goal is to pool academic resources and strengthen inter-university cooperation," he said.

According to the vice-rector, biodiversity research encompasses not only biological and environmental issues but also economic, political and social ones. Bringing different disciplines together creates opportunities to combine universities' scientific resources, strengthen inter-university cooperation and achieve more tangible results. He also noted that the coalition has already established a secretariat to coordinate future initiatives, provide expert support to government bodies and initiate joint projects.

YSU representative Siranush Baghumyan, who coordinates the coalition's activities, described how the initiative took shape and was organized. She said the joint pavilion, designed around the "Air, Soil, Water" concept, and discussions in the adjacent event area aim to identify biodiversity-related challenges and find solutions together.

"Our goal is not only to present a united academic presence but also to highlight the challenges facing the field and find solutions together," she said.

According to Baghumyan, approximately 235 volunteers from YSU and other coalition universities are involved in organizing the initiative's activities.

"Air, Soil, Water": Joint exhibition and distinctive research

The coalition's pavilion is organized around the concept of "Air, Soil, Water." Rather than setting up separate university pavilions, participating institutions have arranged their exhibits into shared thematic sections, showcasing their research and innovative solutions.

Air

The Center for Materials Science and Nanotechnology at the YSU Institute of Physics presented drones designed to monitor air quality, equipped with sensors that measure gas concentrations.

"We attach the sensors to the drone, send it into the air and measure gas concentrations," explained a YSU student involved in the project while demonstrating the measuring equipment to visitors.

Students from the YSU Faculty of Biology displayed collections from various chairs, including specimens of endemic birds, butterflies and moths, and praying mantises. They also introduced visitors to research on the diversity of microorganisms found in Armenia's caves.

Soil

The YSU Chair of Ecology and Nature Conservation presented soil samples from Armenia, local wheat varieties and biodegradable films made from grape-processing waste.

"This is a good example of a circular economy: We use waste to create a new material," said Nare Darbinyan, junior researcher at the Laboratory of Applied Ecology and Environmental Research of the YSU Research Institute of Biology.

Students from the Chair of Botany and Mycology showcased the diversity of medicinal plants and fungi in Armenia, noting that the country is home to approximately 3,800 species of higher plants and 4,200-4,500 species of sac fungi. They also explained the differences between chamomile and oxeye daisies, highlighting the distinctive characteristics of these plants.

Water

The Chair of Geology at the YSU Faculty of Geography and Geology presented a collection of paleontological specimens. Visitors can see fossilized remains of organisms that inhabited marine ecosystems in what is now Armenia millions of years ago, offering insights into the region's geological past. Among the notable exhibits is a mammoth kneecap discovered in the Debed basin. The oldest specimen in the collection dates back approximately 370 million years. Visitors can also use virtual reality headsets to get a glimpse of landscapes, oceans and prehistoric animals from different geological periods.

Expert discussions and youth initiatives

Approximately 30 events, including panel discussions, expert lectures, workshops and educational games, are scheduled to take place in the event area adjacent to the pavilion from October 19 to 30.

The event area provides participants from Armenia and abroad with opportunities to discuss environmental challenges and present proposals for biodiversity conservation.

Other YSU initiatives at COP17

YSU is also carrying out other initiatives as part of COP17. On October 17 and 18, the university hosted the Global Youth Biodiversity Summit, which brought together hundreds of young people from Armenia and other countries. As part of COP17, international scientific conferences and discussions are also planned.