Being a university member is a value system - Director of YSU Institute of Physics Khachatur Nerkararyan

- Mr. Nerkararyan, how would you assess the role of maintaining ties with alumni for the university?

- Maintaining ties with alumni is not merely a way to reminisce or to take pride in past accomplishments; it is a practical necessity. When we stay connected with our graduates, we gain a clearer understanding of which academic directions require further development and what the demands of the labor market are. Alumni who have achieved success in various fields can become valuable partners for us. Through their support, we can establish connections with organizations that are interested in our students. We already have positive examples—organizations that were established through the efforts of our graduates and are now collaborating with us.

- In your view, what does it mean to be a university member?

- Being a university member is a value system. In many countries around the world—for instance, in the United Kingdom and the United States—being a university alumnus is a source of pride and plays a significant role in social and political life. Imagine if, in Armenia, people at the decision-making level were guided by their university identity—it would serve as a unifying rather than a dividing principle. I want to believe that one day this principle will be embraced in our society as well.

- Nevertheless, it is a fact that in Armenia, the connection between universities and alumni is not always maintained. What is the reason for this? 

- Unfortunately, this tradition has not been fully established in our context. By examining the experience of other countries, we see that universities there are instrumental in shaping the political and economic elite. This approach must still take root in our society. It may sound presumptuous, but I believe that the elite of our country should be formed precisely by YSU. This has been the case throughout history, and it must continue to be so.

- What kind of work does the Institute of Physics do to maintain ties with its alumni?

- YSU Institute of Physics has always strived to maintain contact with its alumni. In recent years, we’ve had especially active communication with graduates who participated in the wars. With the knowledge they gained here, they’ve been able to support us in the fields of science and education. We also have close ties with alumni living abroad. However, I would like these connections to deepen further—to become more structured and resilient.

- Mr. Nerkararyan, on May 15 and 16 this year, Yerevan State University will host the first-ever YSU Alumni Forum, bringing together YSU alumni. What are your expectations for this event? 

- I have very positive expectations for this important initiative. The Alumni Forum can become a platform that strengthens the connection between YSU and its alumni. It is a unique opportunity to reunite, to reassess our university past, and to explore new formats of cooperation. I hope the forum will build bridges between science and education, uniting individuals who began their professional journeys at YSU years ago. As part of the forum, we will see successful professionals, entrepreneurs, scientists, and cultural figures who can and are willing to support the university in the education and development of the new generation. The Alumni Forum also carries an important message for today’s students—it shows that the university family is a large and stable institution, and being a part of it is both an honor and a responsibility. I hope this initiative will become a long-standing tradition at YSU.

- What message would you like to send to the university community?

- My message is simple: we are a whole. And if we do not carry the title of 'university member' throughout our lives, it means we are doing something wrong. Being a university member is both an honor and a duty. We must take seriously the idea of supporting one another and cooperating. Otherwise, our society and our country will lose much.