Armenian State Pedagogical University hosted an inter-university conference dedicated to the 100th birth anniversary of famous educator and scientist Suren Khudoyan.
The conference entitled “History of Armenian Pedagogy and Problems at School” started with the exhibition of diplomas, medals, orders, certificates, methodical manuals, archival documents and photographs of Suren Khudoyan, a prominent researcher who studied the history of Armenian pedagogy and school. The exhibition opened at the University’s museum.
Highlighting the importance of the event and the fact that it was held at the ASPU, Rector Rouben Mirzakhanyan said, “Suren Khudoyan’s contribution to the development of Armenian pedagogy is invaluable. This conference is another opportunity to appreciate the rich path of life and creative work he has passed. As one of the major educational institutions in Armenia that provides pedagogical education, Armenian State Pedagogical University must continue to promote the development of Pedagogy as a science complying with the present-day requirements.”
The rector stressed that scientists should be properly appreciated and said it was not accidental that ‘the conference was held in a place that houses the works of different years.’
Ara Yeremyan, Vice-Rector for Personnel and International Cooperation and chairman of the conference, and Srbouhi Gevorgyan, Vice-Rector for Educational and Scientific Affairs, also welcomed the participants of the conference.
Srbouhi Gevorgyan expressed the hope that the conference would contribute to the development of the pedagogical thought and would serve as precedent for assessing the other devotees of the sphere.
The son of the scholar, Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Associate Professor Samvel Khudoyan, who heads the Chair of Development and Applied Psychology, ASPU, spoke about the scientific importance and peculiarities of about 350 works authored by his father. “In fact, it is thanks to Suren Khudoyan that today we have information about the history of the Armenian school in Eastern Armenia and Armenian communities in XIX-XX centuries. It was thanks to him that thousands of Armenian schools, many of which operated in the territory of a country called Azerbaijan, have survived. The information about them has reached us in the form of historical works, as well as archives and photocopies,” he said.
Samvel Khudoyan noted with pleasure that the material will hereinafter be kept in the shelters of the University’s library.
Julieta Gyulamiryan, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, and Asya Grigoryan, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences,
Associate Professor, also spoke about the sccholar’s educational and pedagogical background.
“Suren Khudoyan’s reflections about the great Armenian pedagogue, writer and Illuminator Khachatur Abovyan deserve special attention. Abovyan’s approaches, viewpoints and analyses are felt in Khudoyan’s pedagogical outlook,” said Asya Grigoryan.
She stressed that the scientist put emphasis on the process of education and upbringing at school, considering it as urgent and imperative as it was in the days of Abovyan.
Later on, the leading specialists of Armenian State Pedagogical University, Yerevan State University, Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture, International Scientific-Educational Center of the National Academy of Sciences, dwelt [in their reports] on the contemporary problems of schools.
Professor Laura Asatryan, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, spoke about the formation of key competencies as an important prerequisite for pedagogical education.
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She believes that today graduates should be prepared for innovations, and the primary task of educational institutions should be increasing the level of preparedness of graduates.
Then Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor Hayk Petrosyan, delivered a report on “The Problems of Higher Pedagogical Education and Prospects for Development.” He emphasized the need for urgent reforms in higher education and introduction of an educational program for training general education managers in the sphere of higher education.
The professor is convinced that the existence of education and management-oriented components will endow graduates with pedagogical and management competency.
The participants of the conference also discussed a wide range of issues, including the replacement of Pedagogical Science with upbringing; development opportunities and promotion of active communication at school; HIV/AIDS as a challenge to maintain the health of healthy generation; Armenian pedagogical thought as basis of family upbringing; peculiarities of influence of physical education; mastery of reading skills as a factor of learning efficiency and psychological impacts of inspiration in the educational process.
During the roundtable discussion organized at the end of the conference the participants referred to the current issues of pedagogy and its development prospects and summarized the results of the conference.
Suren Khudoyan also had great contribution to the development of sciences. For 20 years, he headed the Scientific-Research Institute of Pedagogical Sciences and held different high positions in the education sector.
He was awarded the title of Honored Teacher of Armenia and received numerous state awards, orders, medals and commendations, including the order of “Red Flag,” one of the highest awards of the Soviet area.
