YSU builds multifaceted cooperation with Sweden

Presenting the university's key educational and research priorities, YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan emphasized the importance of strengthening international cooperation. He also referred to ongoing university initiatives aimed at improving the quality of education and expanding partnerships with foreign institutions, noting that teaching at the university is closely integrated with active research.  

"Each year, state financial support increases in line with the university's growing research output. One of the key indicators used to assess results is the number of publications by researchers. Over the past year, the number of international scientific publications has increased by around 50 percent, partly due to the introduction of various incentive mechanisms aimed at boosting research activity among staff. Several of the university's scientific journals have transitioned to publishing in English. Some have already been indexed in the international databases Scopus and Web of Science, while others are currently in the process of being indexed," the rector said. 

The meeting also focused on cooperation between YSU and Swedish universities. It was noted that the university collaborates with Uppsala University, Lund University, and Stockholm University, primarily under the Erasmus+ program.  

YSU Vice Rector for International Cooperation, Development and Innovation Mikayel Hovhannisyan recalled that, during a recent visit to Sweden within the framework of the partnership, representatives of the university studied the governance and infrastructure systems of Swedish universities and discussed new areas of cooperation. He described the visit as highly interesting, impressive, and productive.  

"We visited three universities — Lund, Uppsala, and Stockholm. The main purpose was to study their infrastructure and internal management systems. We have already adopted certain elements of the Swedish university experience, particularly in the area of campus management at Stockholm University. Our partners were extremely supportive, presenting and explaining their internal policies and procedures in detail," Mikayel Hovhannisyan said, adding that discussions there also focused on opportunities to expand cooperation with Sweden in higher education and science, particularly through joint research projects, academic exchange programs, and deeper inter-university collaboration.

During the meeting, particular emphasis was placed on the prospects for developing the teaching of Swedish and Scandinavian studies at YSU. To this end, Yerevan State University and the Swedish Institute signed a cooperation agreement within the framework of the Swedish Teachers Abroad Program. The agreement aims to promote the study of the Swedish language and Swedish culture at YSU while expanding opportunities for Armenian-Swedish academic cooperation. The program is intended to support the development of the teaching of Swedish at foreign universities and to strengthen international interest in and confidence toward Sweden. 

Speaking about expanding cooperation in the field of languages, Acting Dean of the YSU Faculty of European Languages and Communication Marine Yaghubyan noted that there is significant interest in Swedish studies within the faculty. According to her, around 200 students and 50 lecturers have expressed interest in learning the language. 

Although Swedish has not yet been included in the university's core educational programs, she said the number of interested participants reflects a strong interest in both the language and Scandinavian culture. 

"I hope our cooperation, as planned, will begin in September. The embassy may also support us in this process. We also discussed the issue of certification. If students study Swedish and reach, for example, a B2 level, the provision of appropriate certificates would serve as encouragement and support in learning the language," Yaghubyan said.  

In this context, Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan noted that cooperation is expected to begin with the teaching of Swedish, but the university is also considering the further development of Scandinavian studies more broadly in the future, potentially through the establishment of a school, program, or separate academic track. 

The embassy expressed readiness to support YSU initiatives related to teaching Swedish and developing educational programs, with a view to strengthening linguistic and cultural ties. Ambassador Eva Sundquist noted that Sweden has significantly expanded its development cooperation programs with Armenia in recent years, with particular focus on democracy, human rights, the green transition, and educational cooperation.

The meeting also addressed YSU's involvement in COP17-related initiatives and projects coordinated by the university. Participants noted that a collaborative academic platform involving several universities has been established to support the implementation of environmental and climate-related programs and events, including conferences, workshops, and student-led initiatives.

From student and faculty exchange programs to joint academic and scientific initiatives, and from summer schools and training camps to research projects, the emerging cooperation between Yerevan State University and its Swedish partners spans nearly all levels of academic life. It is viewed not merely as an expansion of language instruction or some educational programs, but as a multifaceted and long-term collaboration aimed at strengthening education, science, and international academic ties.