A group of Finnish experts from the Oulu University are visiting the Armenian State Pedagogical University after Khachatur Abovyan within the framework of cooperation. Below you may find the interview with the Dean of the Faculty of Pedagogical Education Ms. Rita-Liza Korkiamakei form the Oulu University.
“Our aim is not install our educational system here, but to cooperate in the sector of education” Ms. Rita-Liza Korkiamakei says.
- Dear Ms. Rita-Liza Korkiamakei, is the cooperation between the two Universities developing in the way you preferred?
-From the early beginning it was rather difficult to achieve mutual understanding, but gradually all issues were solved, and today our cooperation is mutually judged as positive. I am highly estimating the fact that you have properly trained and devoted employees on a high professional level.
I would like to add that any sort of cooperation with the representatives of other culture surely requires some time to put the mutual relationship on a fluent flow. On this occasion our aim is not to import our educational system but to cooperate in the sector of education. And I think that this cooperation is producing very good results.
- What interesting similarities and differences would you highlight between the educational systems of our countries?
-The first difference is the application of English language; our students are using English more frequently than Armenian students.
As a matter of fact, our educational system is European and it strongly varies from that of yours; in the beginning we were trying to bring the two educational systems closer. I must add that the Bachelor’s and the Master’s levels are already clearly defined.
-Would You outline anything that does not please?
-Yes, the long flights for only a few days together with short working meetings are really unpleasing, because there are a lot of things to be done; we need at least a whole month to properly arrange the work.
We love Armenia a lot, I might even say we are deeply in love with your country; that is the reason that we are willing to organize a seminar in the end of December; and we are sure to still have a long-term cooperation.
- What do You think, two years are enough to register feasible results?
-Well, of course it is a very short period and it requires a great amount of work. In fact, we have basically fulfilled the aims we are short of time, there are still some gaps and room for development.
- What do You anticipate as a result of this cooperation and what achievements have you reached so far?
- Our main objectives are fixed in the bilateral contract. The most important thing is the exchange of students and the employees. Besides, joint research activities may also be possible in future.
We have updated all our programmes that involve both content and literature together with educational methods; we have implemented contextual amendments. At the same time we have drafted a school internship programme, created a quality assurance manual which includes already implemented and upcoming activities.
Moreover, we worked with the administrative staff; we have already generated the management and transparency document that will describe the administrative structure and the changes in that part. We created a student center and a training center for teachers, where the employees may also undertake trainings.
-What else would you like to speak about?
-I would like to mention that in the whole course of this cooperation we not only provided, but also gained. I would state that we had a mutually beneficial collaboration. We are extremely grateful for the implementation of this project.
-And did You manage to learn some Armenian?
-Ohh, it is rather difficult to learn Armenian. But some expressions I was still able to acquire, for example “Bari luys”…
-What would you like to wish to the Armenian students?
- I would wish them to work hard, to study well, to love and build their country; and not to leave their Armenia.
You have a wonderful country and a wonderful culture. Stay here…
Interviewed by Silva Asryan
