Expanding collaboration with Swiss universities through new SAUL project

The new international project, The Swiss-Armenian University Link (SAUL), aims to pave the way for long-term collaboration in the fields of Eastern European, Russian, and Post-Soviet studies, with a focus on the social sciences and humanities. The main goal is to establish an institutionally anchored network through joint conferences, mobility initiatives, and summer schools.  

Two faculty members from YSU and AUA, with research interests in regional politics, will participate in the project, which entails visits to Swiss universities, lectures, public talks, and partnership-building activities. Next summer, YSU and AUA students, together with Swiss students, will also have the opportunity to take part in a summer school jointly organized by Swiss and Armenian universities.  

The Swiss coordinator of the project is Professor Ansgar Jödicke from the University of Fribourg. On the Armenian side, the project is coordinated by Professor Aleksandr Aghajanyan from Yerevan State University and Professor Vahram Ter-Matevosyan from the American University of Armenia.  

Reflecting on the positive impact this collaboration will have on research and higher education in both countries, Aleksandr Aghajanian said, "From the perspective of taking part in international initiatives, exchanging experience, and working in a collaborative environment, this program will create new opportunities for our faculty members, researchers, and students alike." 

One of the main factors of the SAUL project is the prospect of long-standing, productive collaboration between the Armenian and Swiss universities. The main objective is to position Armenia's leading universities, YSU and AUA, as academic platforms where Swiss professors interested in the Caucasus, Russia and Eurasia can engage with and benefit from local expertise. 

After the war in Ukraine started, many Swiss scholars and Ph.D. candidates faced difficulties studying Russian, Ukrainian politics and societies. The relevant expertise of Armenian colleagues will create new opportunities. At the same time, the project will allow Armenian students and scholars to be involved in joint projects with Swiss specialists. 

SAUL is financed by the Swiss MOVETIA foundation and will run for two years, from November 2025 to October 2027.