EXPERIMENTAL DISCUSSION ON TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS

The purpose of the meeting organized by the joint efforts of Yerevan State University, the national office of the Erasmus+ program in Armenia and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia was to discuss the capacity development programs in the field of higher education: "PRINTeL", "ABIONET", "TOPAS", MENVIPRO", and "REFINE".

In the above-mentioned programs, the relevance of teaching methods and labor market requirements, the introduction of innovations and short-term courses in curricula and other important issues which have made visible the modernity and internationalization of educational programs, have been studied.

Elina Asriyan, the YSU vice-rector for academic affairs, pointing out the essential importance of the initiated meeting, said that expert discussions on teaching and learning have an important role in the educational process.

E. Asriyan emphasized that a number of other programs are being implemented at Yerevan State University, which are also related to new educational approaches, methodology, etc.

"Responsibility and interest in the chosen topic are really important. This is the best opportunity to raise issues that concern our education partners. I fully hope that the presentation of the best practices will greatly contribute to the solution of existing problems," the vice-rector added.

E. Asriyan also referred to the new model of teaching implemented in the four faculties of the university, based on university-employer cooperation and job opportunities.

Lana Karlova, coordinator of the national office of the "Erasmus+" program in Armenia, emphasizing the importance and comprehensiveness of the discussed topic, stated that the program unites the representatives of the education sector and creates a unique opportunity to present the best and exemplary experience, to apply it, as well as to remove the existing obstacles.

Karen Trchunyan, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of RA, emphasized the role and importance of such discussions and assured that they will continue. Speaking about the choice of topic, K. Trchunyan mentioned that it is due to the importance of addressing the issues in the university system (content of education, organization of education).

Referring to the mentioned problems, the Deputy Minister noted that there is currently a need to form a group expressing professional opinions in universities, which will raise the existing problems at the academic level and provide advice.

K. Trchunyan expressed hope that there will be visible results in the coming months and we will be able to implement modern methods in our university system in the upcoming year.

It should be noted that similar discussions are regularly organized at Yerevan State University, within the framework of which not only the problems in the educational process are pointed out, but also effective solutions and new approaches are proposed, aimed at improving the quality of education and introducing international best practices.