KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

The ASPU Faculty of History and Sociology organised a series of public lectures with the involvement of eminent foreign professors.

Today, the University of California (UCLA) Professor Richard Hovhannisyan presented his lecture headed “Contemplations about the First Republic of Armenia”, after which the Head of the Armenian section of the USA Congress Library, Lecturer of the Department of the Middle East, South Asia and Africa Studies of the Columbia University, Professor Khachik Muradyan shared his lecture headed “The Struggle to Survive in the Concentration Camps after the Armenian Genocide”.

The Professors visited the Pedagogical University by the invitation of the ASPU Head of the Department of World History and its Teaching Methods, Professor Khachatur Stepanyan.

Within the scope of the lectures the eminent Professors were greeted by the ASPU Acting Rector Ashot Khoyetsyan. The latter emphasised the importance of organising the series of meetings with such eminent people on the 100^th anniversary of the University, people, who had had great contributions in the Armenian reality.

“It is a great honour for the lecturers and students of our University to attend the lectures of such prominent people like you”, Ashot Khoyetsyan mentioned and spoke about the reforms undertaken at the University on its centennial, as well as about the implementation of new projects, highlighted the significant guidance and role of various prominent people in that process.

In his turn, Professor Richard Hovhannisyan spoke about their mission set within the scope of their visit and added that it was a difficult decision to return to the homeland, and that the post-war depression was giving away.

“At the end of the day, something must change in our lives, we should believe and trust current generation, as well as help them so that they do not leave their homeland, but stay there”, Professor Hovhannisyan noted, hoping that the young people would put their soul and will in staying in their homeland.

Next, the Head of the Armenian section of the USA Congress Library, Lecturer of the Columbia University Department of the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa Studies Khachik Muradyan mentioned that he was visiting Armenia for the first time after war. He was optimistic that the current generation would make his dreams vision come true.

“Our University has a defined direction – it is pedagogy, and the future of Armenia also vastly depends on the professionals we prepare. We need to do our best for our students to know the history very well. This University has a huge potential, and its Faculty of History and Sociology also has great traditions and ties, which will bring various cooperation opportunities for the benefit of the Pedagogical University”, mentioned Ashot Khoyetsyan and once again expressed his acknowledgements in regards with the visit.