“It was in 1981 that I entered the Department of Direction of the Faculty of Culture. A number of famed film directors, including Frunze Dovlatyan and Henrik Malyan, were working at
the Faculty in those years.
It was at the request of Henrik Malyan that I returned to this University after demobilization already as a lecturer to join the ranks of the ‘first inhabitants’ of the Faculty,” Director Zhirayr Dadasyan recalls almost three decades later.
It is difficult for Mr Dadasyan to speak about the Pedagogical University where he has spent most of his life.
For 25 years he has taught different generations the secrets of stage direction. He says the changes introduced at the University in recent years are obvious. The teaching staff does not yield in anything to the professorial team of his time, besides, the beautiful and clean environment ‘obliges’ students to purify and beautify their inner world.
Zhirayr Dadasyan says one of the greatest achievements is that many of his students work in his Pantomime Theatre after graduating from the Pedagogical University.
Mr Dadasyan is one of the distinguished lecturers of the Pedagogical University who have been awarded a medal symbolizing the 90th anniversary of the University for their long-term activity.
Honored Art Worker, Professor Suren Hasmikyan, who has been lecturing at the Pedagogical University for 40 years and more, has been working at the Faculty of Culture since its opening in 1971.
He is proud to say that numerous film directors are graduates of this Faculty; moreover, Henrik Malyan Theatre was formed from the Faculty graduates.
The professor says the main problem of today’s youth is apathy, indifference. “After the 90s, our generation has appeared in a complicated situation. We have talented young people but many of them have appeared in a vacuum as they are guided by pragmatism and cynicism,” he says.
Martin Gilavyan, a professor at the Chair of Armenian Literature, agrees with the film critic: the same picture is observed
across the republic.
Speaking about the University’s achievements, Professor Gilavyan added, “The Pedagogical University has developed dynamically over years.
The progress is evident especially today when the University is expanding its international ties. The educational process has become more meaningful and effective.”
Congratulating the teaching and administrative staff of the Pedagogical University, Rector Rouben Mirzakhanyan said, “The future of our national school depends on us: provinciality should not be rooted within us, ‘national’ is the highest and most expensive value.
We should strive to have a qualified University that will play a significant role in the country’s future development.
Addressing the presentees, Mr Mirzakhanyan added, “Dear colleagues, many of you have been engaged in educational activities for half a century.
We have never viewed the age of an educator as a barrier restricting his activity. At my invitation, Artist Zakhar Khachatryan, who is already 88 years old, and Academician Gevorg Brutyan, 86, are working at the University.
The latter also heads the International Research Institute of Metaphilosophy, Transformational Logic and Theory of
Argumentation. A young lecturer may not arouse interest among his students and vice versa; cases are different.”
Award-handing ceremonies continue at the Pedagogical University in connection with the 90th anniversary of the University.
Representatives of the Pedagogical University, who have worked at the institution for at least 25 years, receive awards and medals for their long-term activity.
