YSU Student Council celebrates 32nd anniversary, highlights achievements and vision for future

Mikayel Hovhannisyan, YSU Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, Development and Innovation, remarked that the foundation of any community is self-organization—a natural process of uniting around shared values and goals. He underscored that student bodies worldwide are built upon this very principle. He further noted that the Student Council serves as a vital platform for students to find like-minded peers, unite around common ideas, and launch initiatives that contribute to the development of university life.

Hovhannisyan added that students are primarily united by the desire to create more favorable conditions for education. However, he stressed that the university is not only a place for acquiring knowledge, but also an important environment for self-development. Processes beyond formal education continuously shape students’ personal and professional growth, and student bodies play a key role in making these processes more effective.

He also highlighted the importance of the presence of former and current Student Council members at the anniversary event, underlining the strong connection between generations.

"Years later, the true significance of the Student Council's work will be fully appreciated by those students currently involved in its activities. Friendships and collaborative initiatives formed during student years are later re-evaluated as important experience, with the Student Council serving as a key unifying institutional platform in that journey," the vice-rector noted.

32-year journey: preserving values and ensuring continuous development

The YSU Student Council was founded on April 14, 1994. It is one of the largest youth bodies in the Republic of Armenia, with its core mission centered on protecting students' rights and ensuring their participation in university governance processes.

According to Student Council President Hasmik Apreyan, the organization's path has been marked by both achievements and challenges, which have collectively shaped its strong institutional foundation.

Since its establishment, the council has adhered to its guiding ideological values and maintained institutional memory, enabling it to continue fulfilling its core mission today—enhancing students' educational, cultural, academic, spiritual, and patriotic life at the university. The president noted that in recent years, programs implemented through new formats in these areas have had an increasingly visible impact on student life.

New initiatives and enhancement of existing programs

At the beginning of the year, the university's Expeditionary Club and the Leonid Azgaldyan Military Training Club were incorporated into the Student Council, significantly expanding its scope of activity, particularly in fostering national identity and patriotic education.

The council president emphasized that the institution's development has been made possible through the dedicated efforts of multiple generations. Over the years, many students have contributed their energy, ideas, and commitment, resulting in a well-established system capable of sustained growth and resilience in the face of various challenges.

Reporting session and recognition of active students

During the extended anniversary session, the council presented its annual report and awarded its most active members for their significant contributions to organizing and developing university life.

In this context, Hasmik Apreyan stated that the council strives to create an environment where every student has the opportunity to express themselves, test their ideas, and even make mistakes—thereby gaining experience that helps them develop into qualified professionals with confidence and readiness for the labor market.

The Armenian performance as reassessment of cultural identity

One of the highlights of the anniversary program was the performance The Armenian, staged and performed by Student Council members with new theatrical approaches.

According to Erik Baghdasaryan, although the performance had previously been presented at Yerevan State University, this version included several modifications.

"This year's production was enriched with new dance segments and script additions to more fully present the traditional Armenian environment and ritual culture. After analyzing previous performances, the creative team introduced new conceptual and content-based solutions to make the production more complete," he said.

Erik also emphasized that the production process required extensive organizational effort, as around 30 students from different faculties were involved, often working on different schedules and rehearsing late into the night.

He added that participants simultaneously engaged in multiple roles—scriptwriting, acting, choreography, and organization—demonstrating once again the strong potential of student-led initiatives. According to him, such projects play an important role in preserving and transmitting cultural heritage, transforming culture into a living and enduring value through the engagement of young people.