YSU representatives share expertise at one of Austria's leading universities

During the visit, Associate Professor Karlen Khachatryan, Dean of the YSU Faculty of Economics and Management, delivered a series of lectures for students, doctoral candidates and faculty members at the host university. The lectures focused on current approaches to the economic valuation, management and policy application of ecosystem services. The lectures covered the theoretical foundations of ecosystem service assessment, methods of economic valuation, environmental management and sustainable development policy tools, as well as mechanisms for integrating ecosystem services into corporate social responsibility and ESG reporting frameworks.

Participants had the opportunity not only to explore the theoretical foundations of the subject but also to conduct practical exercises and case study analyses. The sessions helped them develop applied skills in ecosystem service assessment, policy design and the development of sustainable development strategies for organizations.

Nonna Khachatryan, Associate Professor at the Chair of Management and Business, delivered a lecture as part of the course "Introduction to Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services." She presented the core concepts of ecosystem services, their classification and their importance for human well-being and sustainable development. The course placed particular emphasis on the relationship between ecosystem services and the economy, as well as on effective management and decision-making processes, drawing on practical examples from Armenia. 

As part of the visit, the YSU representatives met with Arne Arnberger, Head of BOKU's Institute of Landscape Development, Recreation and Conservation Planning.

Since 2023, Yerevan State University, the Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna have been implementing the EcoServ project with financial support from APPEAR, a program of the Austrian Development Cooperation. The project was officially launched at YSU in April 2023, when its main goals, expected outcomes and directions for developing educational and research capacity in ecosystem service assessment and management in Armenia were presented.

The visit also provided an opportunity to review the current results of the EcoServ project and outline the next steps. The project aims to strengthen research and educational capacity in ecosystem service assessment and management by bringing together the expertise of academic institutions and research centers in Armenia and Austria. During meetings with project partners, participants discussed activities planned for the current year, future areas of cooperation and opportunities to broaden the project's impact.

The discussions were attended by project coordinator Verena Radinger-Peer, Assistant Professor at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna; postdoctoral researcher Tigran Keryan; project expert Rafaela Schinegger; YSU coordinator Karlen Khachatryan, Associate Professor and Candidate of Economic Sciences; researcher and education expert Nonna Khachatryan, Associate Professor and Candidate of Economic Sciences; and representatives of the Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology: project coordinator Vardan Asatryan, Candidate of Biological Sciences and leading researcher, and co-leader Marine Dallakyan, Candidate of Biological Sciences and leading researcher.

The YSU representatives also took part in "APPEAR in Practice 22: Strengthening Higher Education Cooperation Between Armenia and Austria," an event that brought together representatives of Armenian and Austrian higher education institutions to present successful collaborative projects and their results.

The event featured presentations on the EcoServ, SOAA, and ArmBioClimate projects, which focus on sustainable water resources management, the development of organic agriculture, and the strengthening of biological control capacity under climate change conditions. Discussions centered on the development of higher education and research capacity, stakeholder engagement and the deepening of long-term academic and research cooperation between universities in Armenia and Austria. During the event, the EcoServ team presented its work, achievements and best practices, highlighting the importance of ecosystem service assessment for sustainable development and evidence-based policymaking.

The visit strengthened cooperation between the two universities and opened new opportunities for joint educational and research initiatives.