YSU Academic Secretary Meri Hovhannisyan joins RA MoESCS delegation on official visit to Ethiopia

With the mediation and direct support of the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and a YSU alumnus, Sahak Sargsyan, the delegation held meetings with the ministers of education, culture, and sports of Ethiopia, the chairperson of the African Union, the executive secretary of UNECA, the presidents of Addis Ababa and Oromia State Universities, as well as the leadership of the National Archives and Library Agency, the Ethiopian National Museum, and the directors of the organization STEMpower Ethiopia. During these meetings, the prospective opportunities for cooperation in education, science, culture, and sports between Ethiopia and Armenia were discussed.   

The delegation also met with Professor Berhanu Nega, the Minister of Education of Ethiopia. He presented the ongoing reforms in Ethiopia's educational sector and suggested the establishment of cooperation between the two countries within the framework of these reforms. The minister also highlighted the potential of establishing the Armenian school building, which may be viewed as a platform for activities focusing on educational culture, digital education, and excellence. In this context, both sides expressed their willingness to discuss the conceptual possibilities for cooperation.

During the meeting, the development of cooperation between Yerevan State University and Addis Ababa University was emphasized, including the idea of establishing an African Studies Center at YSU and creating a Chair of Armenian Studies at Addis Ababa University. 

YSU Academic Secretary Meri Hovhannisyan conveyed the greetings and invitation of YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan to Dr. Samuel Kifle, the President of Addis Ababa University, inviting him to visit Yerevan State University. 

YSU has a strong tradition in Oriental studies, particularly in Arabic, Iranian, and Turkish studies, and is currently striving to expand and transform these programs into broader Asian and African studies programs, covering various regional directions. It was emphasized that YSU is open to cooperation with Ethiopian universities in various formats, including long-term and short-term student programs, distance learning courses, scientific collaboration, and academic mobility initiatives. 

The parties also discussed the potential for introducing Armenian studies programs at Addis Ababa University, which could foster inter-university cooperation. 

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union, addressed the importance and opportunities for launching student scholarship programs. Vocational education and training, as well as STEM education, were also highlighted in the context of introducing joint programs. The chairperson of the African Union welcomed Armenia's initiative to establish an African Studies Center at Yerevan State University, noting the African Union Commission's readiness to support this significant initiative.     

In the coming period, the conceptual framework for cooperation with Ethiopia will be developed, which will include the signing of memoranda of understanding and the realization of practical projects.

For further details, visit: https://escs.am/am/news/29161