YSU promotes Armenian-Austrian academic cooperation

Representatives from leading Armenian and Austrian academic institutions, international development agencies, and research organizations participated in the meeting hosted by YSU, aimed at promoting academic cooperation between Armenia and Austria.

The event opened with welcoming remarks by Dr. Andreas Obrecht, Head of the APPEAR Programme, as well as representatives from the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) Office and partner universities. They underscored the mission of the APPEAR Programme—to strengthen the academic foundations and institutional capacities of higher education, research, and governance in partner countries through academic collaboration with Austrian universities and the provision of master’s and doctoral scholarships.

Following the opening remarks, attendees were introduced to the ADC’s initiatives and the research approaches employed in the APPEAR Programme. The event continued with presentations of six ongoing Armenia-Austria collaborative projects in the fields of digital technologies, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, water resources, and urban regeneration. Three of these projects are led by researchers from Yerevan State University.  

A panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Sergey Tantushyan from the American University of Armenia, brought together experts to discuss how to foster sustainable institutional partnerships through regional and international networks, engage young researchers and graduates, and address challenges related to promoting gender equality and integrating inclusive education principles into academic programmes.

As part of the week-long programme, participants had the opportunity to visit YSU Faculty of Biology, which coordinates two of the six current APPEAR projects. Additional visits are planned to research institutions, collaborative project sites, higher education institutions, summer schools, as well as Armenia’s cultural and historical landmarks.

The next project team meeting is scheduled for July 10 at Yerevan State University.

Throughout the week, YSU will serve as a central platform for hosting the conference and implementing programme activities—once again reaffirming its vital role and trusted standing in the sphere of international academic cooperation.

The APPEAR Programme was launched in 2010, marking a new and dynamic phase of cooperation between Austrian higher education institutions, universities, and research organizations in ADC’s priority countries. Since its inception, the programme has supported 43 academic partnerships across 20 countries. More than 150 students from partner countries have pursued master’s or doctoral studies at Austrian universities.