YSU opens another hybrid classroom under eCAMPUS project

A hybrid smart classroom has opened at the YSU Faculty of International under the Erasmus+ eCAMPUS project. The classroom was renovated with university funding and equipped with the support of the European Union's Erasmus+ program.

Commenting on the benefits of hybrid classrooms, YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan noted that they are a novelty in Armenia.

"I hope that the new classrooms will create significant opportunities for our students, serve as a platform for communication with professors from different countries, and allow us to organize courses with the participation of professors from any university worldwide. With this classroom, we will further improve the quality of our education," Rector Hovhannisyan said.

Dean of the Faculty of International Relations, Tigran Yepremyan, described the opening of the hybrid classroom as another step forward in education, emphasizing that the faculty involves lecturers from foreign universities in its master's programs.

"For example, professors from universities in Belgium, the United States, and New Zealand teach at the Faculty of International Relations in an online format. I am confident that the hybrid classroom will enable us to organize the educational process more effectively," he said.

Professor Ruben Azizyan of the Chair of International Relations and Diplomacy, speaking remotely from New Zealand, extended his greetings. He conducts his courses online and occasionally visits YSU to participate in conferences. Professor Azizyan highlighted that the faculty's academic programs are aligned with global geopolitical developments, noting that studies of the East, Europe, and Eurasia are already well-developed in Armenia. He added that there is a current need to further expand studies on Asia and China to deepen knowledge of these regions.

Deputy Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Armenia, Vaclav Sterba, was delighted to visit YSU and see the newly opened classroom.

"This classroom will serve as a bridge to the world for the university and provide opportunities to work at an international level, which is undoubtedly crucial when studying international relations," he said.

The EU representative also emphasized that the European Union regards Armenia as an important country in the European neighborhood and is working to strengthen relations with it.

"Our partnerships have never been closer than they are now, but this is just the beginning of a new path and mutual understanding. Therefore, I am grateful that you have created this classroom, where you can host experts and scholars from European universities who will share their knowledge and insights on international relations and European integration," Sterba added.

The eCAMPUS project aims to enhance the digital competencies and skills of academic staff and to improve the quality of online teaching, learning, and assessment (TLA) in line with the EU Digital Education Action Plan 2021–2027 by introducing equivalent digital systems.