From master's program to international partnership: Development vision of Demographic Research Center discussed

During the meeting, participants drew attention to demographic issues, while emphasizing the role of the initiatives and research conducted by the YSU Demographic Research Center in effective policy planning and evidence-based decision-making. Readiness to implement joint programs was reaffirmed. 

In his open remarks, YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan emphasized the pivotal importance of demographic research for the sustainable development of modern societies. According to him, the Demographic Research Center established at YSU serves as an important platform for consolidating scientific potential, fostering interdisciplinary cooperation, and supporting the formulation of public policies through science-based approaches. The rector assured that the university will continue to support the center's activities, contributing to the expansion of its research programs.

"Last year, the YSU Demographic Research Center was established and has already managed to carry out several important initiatives. Today, we are discussing how the implementation of actions stemming from the state-adopted demographic strategy will be aligned with the center's activities within the framework of educational and research programs, and how the strategy and the center's work will complement each other. I consider it very important that such centers have advisory boards. This is a new culture in our reality and an important step toward the center's institutional development," noted the YSU rector.

Minister of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Arsen Torosyan stated that demography has become a priority and a matter of strategic importance not only for Armenia, but for almost all countries. According to him, without a stable and high-quality population and without human capital, it is impossible to ensure effective development in any sector, whether it is defense, economy, education, science, or healthcare.

"At present, the government is undergoing a process of consolidating strategies, and there is an idea to have only six core strategies in the country, one of which will be dedicated to human capital, including demographic issues. We expect the academic community, including this center, not only to advise us, but also to prompt us—sometimes even to insist—on what should be done and what should be abandoned. Without such synergy, incorrect, ineffective, or outdated decisions are often made," the minister emphasized. 

Arsen Torosyan also added that although there are research institutions under the ministry's supervision, it is essential to make more active use of the scientific potential and research results of classical academic institutions, particularly Yerevan State University and other higher education institutions.

Head of the UNFPA Armenia Country Office Lusine Sargsyan pointed out that the center has already produced its first results. The center's activities and strategy have generated considerable interest both in Armenia and beyond its borders. Partners view it as a potential regional platform which, as it develops, may support not only Armenia but also neighboring and European countries. 

"If we move forward together step by step, we can demonstrate to the world how demographic challenges should be addressed. This is not the task of a single institution; demography concerns all sectors—from the private sector to education and science. It is our shared responsibility," added Lusine Sargsyan.

Director of the YSU Demographic Research Center Tigran Gasparyan presented the center's strategic framework, vision, and three-year roadmap, emphasizing that the center is being developed as a collaborative platform uniting the university, government institutions, and international partners. He noted that Armenia faces a number of demographic challenges, including a sustained decline in birth and fertility rates, emigration, and population aging, all of which have a substantial impact on socio-economic development, the labor force, and structural changes. He noted that there is a need for a living document that will ensure continuous analysis, data collection, modeling, and institutional support. 

"Our proposed vision for the center is to become Armenia's leading demographic research and educational institution. We have a clear vision to become a trusted knowledge partner for state institutions and a recognized academic and educational platform within the next five years. In particular, we aspire to achieve the status of a regionally recognized center. From this vision stem our five strategic objectives: first, research and forecasting; second, policy support; third, development of educational capacity; fourth, partnership and internationalization; and fifth, institutionalization. Together, these ensure the development of the center as a knowledge-based, academic, managerial, and regional platform," he stated.

Tigran Gasparyan added that a special advisory board is planned to be formed within the center, consisting of seven representatives, to ensure strategic oversight. The advisory board will include representatives from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, YSU, UNFPA, and other expert circles. It will be responsible for adopting and approving the center's three-year and annual programs, as well as annually evaluating the performance of the director and the team.

The center's director noted that this year it is planned to organize a summer school, develop collaborative programs with both the government and international partners, initiate the development of a master's program, and continue other priority projects. The center also plans to expand its partner network, ensure the sustainability of its financial model, and introduce evaluation mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of its activities.

YSU vice rectors, deans of various faculties, members of the academic staff, and sector specialists attending the meeting had the opportunity to receive answers to their questions on the spot.

The center was established through the cooperation among Yerevan State University, UNFPA, and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, and launched its activities with financial support from the Government of the United Kingdom, with the aim of laying a solid foundation for the development of demography in Armenia.