KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Diaspora Armenian teachers who are attending a one-month training course at Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU) met with ASPU Rector Ruben Mirzakhanyan to discuss their expectations and problems faced by Armenian schools in the Diaspora.

Mr. Mirzakhanyan assured the guests that the Pedagogical University offers professionally-oriented programmes and provides high-quality education services in pedagogy in Armenia. He added that despite the continued decline in the number of entrants the University has not increased tuition fees, thereby trying to make the University attractive in all respects.

Speaking about the quality of education, the rector emphasized the importance of replenishing teaching staff with the best specialists in the republic and the expansion of international ties which enables the educational institution to have new-quality education and more achievements.

The visiting teachers were especially interested in opportunities and privileges that the Pedagogical University offers pupils from the Diaspora and assured the rector that many in the Diaspora wish to study at the University.

They were also interested in the state of teaching Western Armenian at the University and stressed that there is a need to educate new generations in a number of communities in the Diaspora.

Ruben Mirzakhanyan noted with regret that Armenian schools are closing down in Armenian communities and "Armenian History" is taught in a foreign language in some of them. “Before calling out “Let us save Western Armenian” we need to understand whether we have enough resources to save it. The development of Western Armenian is directly linked to the existence of Armenian schools where it is taught as a subject,” Ruben Mirzakhanyan added.

The teachers regretted to say that if they did not have new teachers of Western Armenian, representatives of the given Armenian community will quickly assimilate into the community.

Teachers from Russia noted that the Russian Government pays great attention to Armenian schools but the number of classes is not enough for graduates to take unified examinations and enter a university in Armenia. The rector assured the guests that students taking distance learning courses at the Pedagogical University have an opportunity to acquire the same knowledge by attending the University once a year.

At the end of the meeting, the teachers confessed that they are working with their mentors with love: the lecturers are doing their best to transfer them the latest academic achievements and pedagogical skills. Some expressed regret that it is impossible to combine theoretical knowledge with practical skills.

“Representatives of the new generation do not want to become teachers,” teachers of Armenian language who had arrived in Armenia from the United States said sharing their concerns. They assured the ASPU Rector that teachers sent from the homeland are always expected there.

The meeting was followed by a question-and-answer session during which the sides discussed the opportunity of opening a centre for Armenian Studies in Beirut.

Ruben Mirzakhanyan promised to search for possible ways and find a solution and expressed hope that the Diaspora Armenian teachers will leave their homeland armed with new knowledge and skills.

The guests also visited the ASPU Museum, got acquainted with the history and important events of the University.