Valuing legacy, fostering partnerships, opening new horizons: YSU concludes inaugural Alumni Forum

The first YSU Alumni Forum led to the formation of new avenues for collaboration, raised various issues, and identified further steps to address the existing challenges. The participants expressed confidence that this initiative will turn into a tradition, contributing to the redefinition and strengthening of YSU's mission as the alma mater of Armenia.

The day began with speeches by YSU alumni, after which the outcomes of the forum were summarized. The two-day event confirmed its significance as a platform for creating new collaborations, ideas, and initiatives. During the summary of the forum’s results, the main messages and proposals from the discussions were presented, focusing on the resolution of professional issues, overcoming challenges, as well as the current trends in the development of education and science. The importance of YSU alumni’s potential was emphasized as a driving force for positive change in various sectors of society. It was also noted that such platforms not only provide an opportunity to reevaluate university traditions but also help to build bridges for future initiatives and strategic collaborations. 

The results of YSU Alumni Forum were summarized during the closing ceremony.

The "Physical World" section was summarized by Director of YSU Research Institute of Biology Karen Trchounian. 

"The speakers and moderators of the section highlighted the importance of regularly organizing such meetings, including in more specialized formats. Several proposals have already been presented, and thematic discussions are planned for the upcoming autumn," he noted.

The outcomes of the "Space and Technologies" section were presented by Director of YSU Center for Semiconductor Devices and Nanotechnologies Mikayel Aleksanyan. 

Mikayel Aleksanyan mentioned that, within the framework of the first section, the peculiarities of the development of astrophysics in Armenia were presented, followed by an extensive discussion on university-education system-private sector cooperation.

"Both sections were quite active and productive. The conclusion is clear: such discussions should continue, but with more specialized topics," he emphasized.

The discussions of the "Society and Economy" section were summarized by Deputy Dean and Office Head of YSU International Relations Faculty Gor Petrosyan. 

"Although the themes of the two sections were different from each other, certain similarities can be observed, primarily in our geography, the limitations, and their consequent effects. During the discussions, existing problems were clearly identified, along with their derived conclusions," he said, presenting the raised issues and proposals. 

The "Language, Culture, History, and Tradition" section was summarized by Dean of YSU History Faculty Mikayel Gabrielyan.   

"I would like to highlight three main points. First, the questions raised were not only very relevant but also manipulative, as we have seen in recent years. For this reason, YSU, using its own potential and that of its alumni, can become a platform where clear and balanced approaches to identity and national culture should be formed. Second, all speakers emphasized the necessity of such discussions. Third, everyone expressed their willingness to continue participating in similar meetings," he noted.

Addressing the significance of the forum and the outcomes, Mikayel Hovhannisyan, Vice Rector for Development and Innovation at YSU, stressed the need to ensure the forum's continuity and closer collaboration with alumni.  

"Anything done for the first time is a major experiment, and it also requires efforts for ongoing analysis. This alumni forum was an inaugural initiative, marking the beginning of purposeful work to systematically engage our alumni in the life of the university. They can get involved in various formats—as professionals, sharing their experience and knowledge with our students, from participating in educational programs to guest lectures or other speaking engagements. They can become future employers for our students and offer internship opportunities. I believe this forum should be followed by intensive engagement with alumni to ensure that the collaboration becomes continuous and constructive," Mikayel Hovhannisyan emphasized. 

During the forum, YSU Alumni Excellence Awards were presented. The awards were given to alumni recognized as the best in their respective categories at the forum held on May 15 and 16, in the "Physical World," "Space and Technologies," "Economy and Society," and "Language, History, Culture, and Tradition" categories. The awardees were:  

In the "Physical World" category:

• Gagik Surenyan, Deputy Director of the Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center.

"I am proud to be an alumnus of YSU. I wish that the sun always shines over our alma mater, and that there is much warmth within," said YSU alumnus Gagik Surenyan.

In the "Space and Technologies" category:

• Krisp company, founded by YSU alumni. The award was received by David Baghdasaryan, Co-founder and CEO of the company. 

"We are very touched and proud of this pleasant surprise. It is wonderful to be here and participate in YSU Alumni Forum. The majority of our company’s employees are YSU alumni. I would like to express our thanks to Yerevan State University for this initiative on behalf of our organization," added YSU alumnus David Baghdasaryan.

In the "Economy and Society" category:

• Lusine Sargsyan, Head of the UNFPA Armenia.

"It is a great honor for me to be here today. I want to congratulate all of us on the 106th anniversary of our alma mater and express my gratitude to the university for 'equipping' me, which enabled me to contribute to human rights protection," emphasized YSU alumna Lusine Sargsyan.

In the "Language, History, Culture, and Tradition" category:

• Levon Sargsyan, Lecturer at the Chair of German Philology, YSU.

"As one of our professors once said, we, the lecturers, are here today to provide services to the youth. I have returned to the university to provide my services, and I hope to be helpful both to the university I love and to our country," said Levon Sargsyan.  

YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan delivered the closing speech of the forum, emphasizing that the university's visibility and recognition must be raised day by day through collective efforts.

"When the idea of this forum was first being formed, it was an important initiative for us, but at the same time, a challenge, a call for the unity of our community and responsibility for the future. Today, as we close the first YSU Alumni Forum, we can affirm that we have collectively accepted this challenge and have embarked on a new, significant, and promising path," he stated.

Hovhannes Hovhannisyan stressed that the two-day discussions resulted in the setting of new priorities and the gathering of new proposals.

"But most importantly, we have gained experience in getting to know one another, working together, and co-creating the future. YSU is stronger today because of your presence. And it is this feeling that drives us towards implementing new programs," he noted.

In conclusion, YSU rector congratulated the university community on the 106th anniversary of YSU and added, "Just as the founders of the university dreamed of YSU we have today, we too are obligated to dream and shape the university that will exist 200 years from now."

YSU Alumni Forum served as a pivotal platform for reinterpreting the university's values, uniting alumni from different generations, and creating new opportunities for education, science, and public life. The ideas and proposals raised during the forum lay the groundwork for long-term collaboration, future-oriented programs, and initiatives. The voice of the university’s alumni is clearly heard in the academic and public spheres, proving that YSU is not just an educational institution—YSU is its people.