A discussion workshop on the topic "Cooperation between Faculty of Special Education and Employers" was held at ASPU on the initiative of the Coordination Agency "University-
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Employer" and the Faculty of Special Education.
Present at the workshop held within the framework of the Tempus ARARAT project were representatives of the RA National Assembly, Ministry of Science and Education, National Institute of Education, medical institutions and NGOs, as well as heads of schools and kindergartens implementing inclusive education. The event brought together participants from Yerevan and marzes (provinces).
Head of the Department of Project Development and Monitoring, Rita Gevorgyan, was convinced that the meeting would provide an opportunity for students to present their professional skills in a new light and expand University-Employer ties.
In her speech, Rita Gevorgyan emphasized the development and improvement of teaching skills in the process of training specialists, deepening of knowledge on the subject and mastery of modern technologies. “Today the labor market dictates new requirements. In this context, the role of the Coordination Agency "University-Employer" is very significant for students in the sense of their future career options, development of their personal and professional skills, job search and placement. The Center is doing everything to study employers’ opinion on students’ professional qualities and to develop educational programmes based on the results of the study,” she said.
That an ASPU graduate must comply with the requirements of the time, be a competent and highly qualified specialist, was also stressed by Armenouhi Avagyan, Dean of the Faculty of Special Education.
She says the University education will not be valued in due way as long as graduates encounter employment problems and are not armed with profound knowledge.
Armenouhi Avagyan was glad to say that the demand for professionals studying at the Faculty is continually increasing and such meetings with employers open career opportunities for the best graduates.
Specialists for special inclusive schools, preschool institutions, medical establishments and psychologists… Students of the Faculty of Special Education presented the activities and professional directions of the Faculty in short performances.
Special reference was also made to the sector of special education on the academic level. Artsruni Hakobyan, Chief Child Neurologist of the Ministry of Health, Associate Professor of Neurology at Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratzi, delivered a report entitled “Practical Involvement of Graduates of Faculty of Special Education in Medical Institutions and Prospects for Further Cooperation.”
The chief child neurologist presented the findings of his work in the past ten years and singled out the main ideas that would help expand collaboration and services.
Further on, Arega Ohanyan, Principal of Yerevan’s secondary school â„–100, reported on “Support Group for Children with Special Educational Needs as Important Structure of Schools Implementing Inclusive Education.”
She dwelt on their work experience when dealing with children with special needs and stressed the role of special pedagogues as well as individual professionals, school teachers and
classmates during the work with disabled children.
The principal was glad to say that ASPU alumni and MA students of the Faculty of Special Education make up the majority of the school’s multidisciplinary team; they master professional skills and fulfill their tasks in the best possible way.
During the meeting, Susanna Davtyan, speech therapist at Orphanage after Marie Izmirlyan, and Suzanna Martirosyan, special pedagogue at Mkhitar Sebastatsi Educational Complex, analyzed the work carried out by multidisciplinary teams of institutions that implement inclusive education, and Tereza Azatyan, Vice-Dean for Post-Graduate Studies and Scientific Research clarified the directions of continuous cooperation.
The speeches were followed by discussions. At the end of the meeting, the guests visited ASPU Museum and Library.
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