Meeting under one roof: YSU Alumni Forum held

The YSU Alumni Forum holds particular importance for the academic community. It serves as an open platform for communication and cooperation, bringing together alumni from different generations and uniting their experience, ideas, and networks.

University community in one hall around shared idea

On its 107th anniversary, YSU hosted representatives from various generations of alumni—individuals whose professional paths, achievements, experience, and ties to the university form an important part of its history.

The forum was not merely a meeting; it was an opportunity to return to the university, re-establish ties with YSU, speak about what the university is like today, what kind of future is envisioned for it, and how YSU and the alumni community can shape that future together.

"After graduating from YSU, YSU does not end," said Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan during his keynote address titled "Development Prospects of YSU and the Alumni Community." He emphasized that the university is not only an educational institution but a large community that unites different generations and shapes both identity and life trajectories.

"We are all united by one fact: our journey began here. School prepares us for entering life, while YSU is the beginning of that life, where our steps, thinking, and life paths are formed," he said, adding that it is at the university that true development begins, both professionally and personally.

He noted that some alumni in the hall returned to their alma mater for the first time in years, revisiting their student years memories and restoring their connection with the university.

According to him, for many people YSU has become not only an educational institution but also a key space for forming human relationships. Many have found their closest friends there, and some have even met their life partners. These human connections, he stressed, make the university not only an academic institution but also a vital environment for life itself.

During his address, Hovhannisyan spoke about the university's role in people's lives, the importance of the alumni community, intergenerational connections, and the university's vision and planned programs. He referred to YSU's historical path, internationalization, innovation, scientific development, and the need to maintain continuous ties between the university and its alumni.

"The main strength of the world's leading universities is their united alumni communities, and today we must be able to use that enormous potential for the development of the university and the country. Every alumnus can contribute—through ideas, projects, knowledge, or simply by maintaining a connection with the university," he said.

Speaking about the university's development vision, the rector noted that YSU must continue to evolve as an international institution while preserving its national identity, emphasizing innovation, scientific progress, and the creation of new opportunities for the next generation.

According to him, the university's main strength lies in its people—students, faculty, and alumni—who remain connected to their alma mater regardless of where they live.

Direct engagement between students and alumni

The next part of the forum moved to the lobby of the YSU Main Hall, where student initiatives were presented. In this informal setting, alumni and students met to exchange ideas, share experiences, and discuss opportunities for cooperation. 

New formats, Fireside Chat and Self Q&A, were held. The Fireside Chat featured dialogue between students and alumni, introducing student ideas, initiatives, and projects, as well as facilitating direct exchange of experience, networks, and potential collaboration opportunities.

YSU Faculty of Armenian Philology alumna and teacher Araksya Petrosyan (Class of 2017) and fourth-year student of the "Arabic Studies" program at the YSU Faculty of Oriental Studies, Elen Mnatsakanyan, spoke for approximately five minutes about their experiences, educational paths, and professional visions, including opportunities formed after university, the continuity of education, and real labor market demands.

The student noted that she found the alumni perspective on continuing education at the master's level and employment opportunities particularly interesting.

"It was interesting to hear that in some cases a master's degree is truly important, and that the stereotype that finding a job afterwards is very difficult does not fully correspond to reality," Elen said.

Another student from the same program, Izabela Ghazaryan, had the opportunity to speak with Lusine Sargsyan, Head of the Armenia Office of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Their conversation covered women's rights, equal opportunities, and career prospects in international relations and diplomacy.

The student noted that her professional interests developed early in life through her interest in languages, culture, and international affairs. She said she chose Arabic studies because Arabic is widely spoken in many countries and offers broad professional opportunities.

Lusine Sargsyan shared her experience, emphasizing that work in diplomacy and human rights requires continuous development, and that ensuring equal opportunities demands sustained effort. The discussion also highlighted that the protection of women's rights and societal development are long-term, ongoing processes requiring consistency and structured work.

Through the Self Q&A, alumni had the opportunity to speak about their university memories, professional journeys, and their reflections on Yerevan State University.

Administrative specialist and lecturer at the YSU Pedagogy and Education Development Center, Viktorya Baghdasaryan, presented her academic and professional experience during the forum, emphasizing the university's key role in shaping her life path.

She noted that she completed her bachelor's degree at the YSU Faculty of Armenian Philology in 2007 and her master's degree in 2009 at the Pedagogy and Education Development Center. Today, she works at the same center, combining administrative duties with teaching.

"I have many vivid memories from YSU, but my first impression is connected to the day I was admitted and entered the alma mater," she said, stressing that YSU played an exceptional role in her life not only professionally but also personally.

Baghdasaryan emphasized that she found not only her professional path at the university, but also her family.

"I met my other half at Yerevan State University, and you could say my entire life was formed here," she said, adding that her chair and all the university spaces connected to her student and professional journey hold special meaning for her.

In the rapid-fire Q&A segment, she described YSU as "everything," noting that she cannot imagine herself away from the university, as returning means "I am here all the time."

Four panel discussions, four key directions

The day's panel discussions addressed key topics for education, science, and societal development:

• Development Prospects for Armenian Studies

• Opportunities and Challenges in Developing YSU's Innovation Ecosystem 

• COP17: Armenia at the Center of the Global Environmental Agenda — Priorities for the Academic Community 

• Transformations in Education: How the Modern World Is Redefining Education

Participants also discussed new models of cooperation between Yerevan State University and its alumni community, emphasizing that an effective connection can become an important tool for the university's development.

The forum also hosted thematic discussions on "YSU–Community Cooperation" across four directions: education, science, infrastructure, and public responsibility.

At the core of these discussions were questions about what YSU can offer its alumni community, what the alumni community can offer YSU, what resources are needed to organize effective cooperation, and how to build sustainable mechanisms for such collaboration.

Alumni stories: from experience to new ideas

The second half of the day was dedicated to alumni talks. In the YSU Main Hall, speakers shared stories of diverse professional paths, experiences, and success stories.

Talks were delivered by Levon Petrosyan, Head of the Middle East and Africa Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, on the topic "Building Bridges: From University to Diplomacy"; Marina Mkhitaryan, Director for Strategic Partnerships and Impact at Armenia Tree Project, with a talk titled "Why Are We a Bit Snobbish"; and Tiran Hakobyan, CEO of GTB Holdings and co-founder of Armenian Mushroom Company and Seaside Startup Summit, whose talk focused on the interconnection between university ties and business.

This segment served not only as an opportunity to share memories and personal stories, but also to share experiences and inspire the next generation.

Awards as recognition of values

The forum summarized the YSU Alumni Excellence Award and the YSU Teaching Excellence Award competitions. The Teaching Excellence Award is one of the university's key initiatives aimed at improving the quality of education, promoting innovative teaching approaches, and encouraging best practices. The award recognizes lecturers who, through their work, improve teaching methods, introduce new approaches, and advance the educational environment.

Awards were presented in the following categories:

In the Philological category, to Associate Professor Anahit Menemshyan, Head of the Media Studies and Semiotics Chair, Deputy Dean and Head of the Office of the YSU Faculty of Journalism.

In the Natural Sciences category, to Associate Professor Inga Bazukyan of the Chair of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology at the Faculty of Biology, and to Associate Professor Gevorg Grigoryan, Head of the Chair of Physical and Colloid Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry.

In the Physical and Mathematical Sciences category, to Associate Professor Hasmik Shahinyan of the Chair of Radiophysics and Telecommunications at the YSU Institute of Physics.

In the Social Sciences category, to Associate Professor Gor Aleksanyan of the Chair of Service at the Faculty of Geography and Geology, and to Associate Professor Hovhannes Hovhannisyan of the Chair of History, Theory and Logic of Philosophy at the Faculty of Philosophy and Psychology.

YSU Alumni Excellence Awards were also presented to:

YSU Faculty of Geography and Geology alum Levon Azizyan for his consistent involvement in the university's development processes; Faculty of Oriental Studies alum Gevorg Sahakyan for achievements in the creative sector and for representing YSU internationally; Faculty of Informatics and Applied Mathematics alum Chinar Movsisyan for innovative work in artificial intelligence and contributions to the startup ecosystem; and Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics alum Gagik Amirkhanyan for promoting the values of university education and contributing to youth development.

Their work is not only about transferring knowledge. It is about shaping analytical thinking among students, sparking interest, opening professional pathways, and raising the quality of university education.

YSU as living community

At the conclusion of the forum, it was emphasized that being a graduate of Yerevan State University is not only a matter of the past, but a continuing connection with the university. The ideas discussed, the connections formed, and the new initiatives developed throughout the day served as clear evidence of this.

The forum concluded with interactive formats and informal exchanges. The YSU Ideas Wall became a platform where alumni and students could present their visions for the university's future, along with proposals and personal commitments, by answering three questions: what they dream YSU will look like, what they plan to do for the university, and what they commit to accomplishing over the next year.

The day continued with masterclasses, creative formats, and informal networking sessions, turning the forum into not only an official event but also a living meeting of the university community.

The day at YSU concluded with a simple but important message: the university is strong not only because of its history, but because of its community.