KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

The Diaspora teachers who are undergoing one-month training at the Pedagogical University met with Rector Ruben Mirzakhanyan to discuss their expectations and the problems faced by Armenian schools in the Diaspora.

Mr. Mirzakhanyan assured the teachers that they feel great responsibility for the process. He presented the structure of the largest pedagogical institution and said that ASPU graduates mainly work in schools and various fields of culture. The rector stressed that the University has great chances to become a research institution and said that they are ready to accept the schoolchildren who would like to continue their studies at the Pedagogical University. Speaking about the scientific activity of the University, Mr. Mizakhanyan spoke about the achievements of scientific centers, laboratories, in particular, the interest of a number of countries in the University’s “Chess” Scientific Research Institute.

On behalf of the teachers, Suren Danielyan, Director of Spyurq [Diaspora] educational centre, Head of the Chair of New and Contemporary Armenian Literature, thanked Mr. Mirzakhanyan for the meeting. He assured the Diaspora teachers that the Pedagogical University is steadily moving forward. The professors expressed hope that the trained teachers will be the advocates of ASPU in their countries and will connect their academic path with the Pedagogical University.

"We teach about Armenia without seeing the homeland. We are given a tremendous power to pass the Armenian spirit to children,” said Linta Ganilayan-Keleshayan, who arrived in Armenia from the USA. She thanked everyone for organizing the training at a high level. She suggested organizing exchange programmes for the children of ASPU Primary and Basic Schools and US-based Armenian schools.

“This is like a celebration honoring Diaspora teachers,” said Laura Margaryan from the Russian Federation. Later on, the guests made their suggestions and recommendations and asked a number of questions. In particular, they wanted to know in what conditions Diaspora pupils can study at ASPU since there are a lot of children wishing to study in the homeland. The Rector expressed readiness to discuss each and every pupil’s chances to continue education at ASPU. During the visit, the guests also visited the ASPU Museum.

Sixty-one teachers from Diaspora have been undergoing a training course in Armenia since July 1. They arrived in Armenia from 15 countries. Last week they visited Hovhannes Tumanyan Museum, Garni,Geghard, sevan, Goshavank and Haghartsin.