Two-week Media-Lab educational project launched at YSU

The intensive two-week project encompasses two principal directions: presentation (anchoring) skills and the application of media tools.

Erik Baghdasaryan, Chairman of the Culture Committee of the YSU Student Council, noted that the idea of launching such a project emerged as a collaborative initiative and, within a short period, drew considerable interest. 

"This project, designed for students interested in media, will implement its two components on different days of the week. Notably, within just 24 hours, the number of submitted applications increased from 85 to 295," he said.

Erik Baghdasaryan also emphasized the conceptual significance of the initiative. As both a student and an organizer, his foremost priority was to create a platform where students interested in media—regardless of their field of study—could enrich their knowledge. In his view, apart from the Faculty of Journalism, the university does not offer a similar program. Thus, Media-Lab may be regarded as a successful example of non-formal education, providing participants with the opportunity for exchange of expertise with experienced professionals in the field.

Astghik Avagyan, Chair of the Public Relations and Media Committee of the YSU Student Council, highlighted the program's practical component, stressing that over the next two weeks, participants will be introduced to the visual foundations of branding, the specifics of presentation skills, as well as videography and editing techniques.

"We will learn how to create a logo, compile a professional résumé, and, in essence, enter the labor market already trained as competent specialists. Together, we will shape our path in the media sphere," she said.

Within the framework of the project, meetings with experienced professionals and distinguished guests are planned. During the inaugural meeting, actress and television host Nazeni Hovhannisyan delivered a lecture titled "Presentation from A to Z". Emphasizing the responsibility inherent in the profession of a presenter and the importance of public speech, she spoke about the significance of knowledge exchange. According to Nazeni Hovhannisyan, knowledge in itself is "dead" if it is not transmitted and does not become the foundation of dialogue. In the contemporary world, the most vital instrument is precisely the exchange of knowledge, which serves as a bridge between younger and older generations. In her view, such initiatives provide an opportunity to sense one another's "pulse", to unite experience with energy, and to reassess the meaning of collaboration.

"It is impossible to achieve significant results in isolation. When we find common ground in our language, literature, culture, or any branch of science, we create a cohesive environment, a cohesive Armenian world," she noted. 

Addressing intergenerational relations, she underscored that the older generation is often accused of not appreciating the youth; however, in reality, it is the proactive and dynamic young people who create opportunities for cooperation.

"The younger generation stands out for finding ways to take initiative and organizing such meaningful gatherings. And I, as a representative of the older generation, often learn more than I impart," she added.

Following the lecture, the speaker addressed various questions from the audience during an interactive Q&A session.