American experience and new educational opportunities at center of discussions

Yerevan State University Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan met with Ann Domorad, Senior Managing Director of Field Operations and Programs at American Councils, to discuss opportunities for expanding educational cooperation and developing joint programs. The meeting focused on educational exchange programs, prospects for academic cooperation, and opportunities for joint initiatives within the framework of international educational initiatives.

The sides emphasized the importance of deepening international cooperation in higher education, highlighting the role of academic mobility, professional development, and intercultural engagement among young people.

Discussions centered on development prospects for educational exchange programs and international academic partnerships, underscoring the importance of joint initiatives in strengthening professional competencies and modernizing educational systems.

Opening the meeting, YSU Rector Hovhannisyan presented the university's ongoing reforms and development programs, noting that a significant portion of them had been shaped by academic and professional experience gained at U.S. universities. He also referred to YSU's cooperation with several American universities, including the University of Arizona, San Jose State University, and the Los Angeles and Northridge branches of California State University (UCLA).

According to Hovhannisyan, cooperation with American Councils includes programs that provide American students opportunities to travel to Armenia to study Russian. He expressed hope that the partnership would continue and further expand. He noted that several institutional reforms at YSU had also been shaped by experience gained through international cooperation, including reforms and accreditation of educational programs, as well as the modernization of electronic resources, financial management, and other administrative processes.

Emphasizing the importance of sustaining cooperation, Domorad said the organization aims to expand educational partnerships and create broader opportunities for students and faculty through international experience exchanges.

The discussion also addressed educational programs implemented by the organization, including the FLEX and JFDP initiatives, and their impact on participants' academic development, leadership skills, and professional growth. The parties also discussed initiatives underway at YSU in artificial intelligence and data science, programs aimed at developing high-tech infrastructure, and the importance of training qualified specialists in these areas.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the sides reaffirmed the importance of continued cooperation and readiness to expand mutually beneficial programs, deepen academic ties, and contribute to new initiatives in higher education.