Mathematics education at YSU meets international standards as six programs receive accreditation

Artur Sahakyan, Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics, said that accreditation was awarded to the bachelor's programs "Mathematics," "Applied Statistics and Data Science," and "Actuarial and Financial Mathematics," as well as to the master's programs "Mathematics and Applications," "Applied Statistics and Data Science," and "Financial Mathematics." 

Speaking about the thorough preparation process for accreditation, Sahakyan noted: "For nearly a year, the heads of the faculty's educational programs were engaged in this work, resulting in a substantial documentation package". He added that the German agency took into account all aspects, including the student and faculty numbers, the learning environment, program structure, and more.  

Armen Budaghyan, Director of the YSU Quality Assurance Center, stressed that the main objective of accreditation is the continuous improvement of educational quality. Over the course of the year-long process, the content of the programs was revised to align with the requirements of the European Qualifications Framework.

According to Budaghyan, accreditation directly enhances graduates' competitiveness. 

"The diploma supplement will bear the seal of the German ASIIN agency, certifying that the education meets European standards. Through this process, we are facilitating students' opportunities both to continue their studies and to enter the labor market in Armenia and abroad," he said.

Budaghyan also noted that international accreditation has strategic importance for the university. On the one hand, accredited programs become more attractive to both local and international applicants; on the other hand, the university gains greater flexibility in setting tuition fees.

"The state has set a maximum tuition cap for non-accredited programs, whereas accredited programs allow universities to determine fees based on market demand," he explained.

Due to certain shortcomings identified at an early stage, the German agency initially granted accreditation to the Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics programs for one year. After these issues were addressed, the accreditation was extended until September 2030—the maximum term for first-time accreditation. 

Budaghyan added that the international accreditation process at YSU is ongoing.

"Currently, 10 programs at the Faculties of Law, Economics and Management are undergoing accreditation in cooperation with another German agency, FIBAA, which specializes in business, economics, and law," the director of the Quality Assurance Center noted. 

Earlier, international accreditation had also been awarded to the "Pharmacy" bachelor's and master's programs of the YSU Institute of Pharmacy, as well as to the "Biochemistry and Biotechnology" bachelor's program and the "General and Medical Biochemistry" master's program of the Faculty of Biology.