KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

“I swear, Great Teacher, to listen to the call of centuries and become custodian of the Armenian writing before stepping into the institution that bears your name. Today we, the great singers of the Armenian wound and its fair uprising, have come to say that we we are born again and live anew.”

According to tradition, first-year students of Armenian State Pedagogical University after Khachatur Abovyan were sworn in at the House-Museum named after the Great Illuminator in Kanaker. They swore to remain faithful to the title they voluntarily accredited to.

This year, over 1200 students have joined the great ‘army’ whose first teacher was Mesrop Mashtots whose noble ideas guided our forebears in their struggle against ignorance and obscurantism for building a brighter future.

Chairman of the ASPU Student Council Nersik Margaryan announced the start of the solemn ceremony, giving the floor to His Grace Bishop Anushavan Jamkochyan, Dean of the Faculty of Theology at Yerevan State University.

The swearing-in ceremony started with the Lord's Prayer. Then His Grace Bishop Anushavan Jamkochyan conveyed the attendees the blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

The Bishop said it was a great joy for him to participate in the ceremony and assured everyone that the prayer would give students religious and national force. “May your zeal and enthusiasm never leave you in peace and be transmitted to the teaching, administrative and support staff of the University,” he said.

ASPU Rector Ruben Mirzakhanyan, wished good luck to future educators, recalling the well-known idea of Otto von Bismarck that ‘it was the teacher who won the Franco-Prussian war.’ “All professions are equally necessary for a society, but there is one profession that determines the fate of others; that of an educator,” he said. 

For the first time, the traditional ceremony was attended by Defence Minister Seyran Ohanyan. In his congratulatory remarks, Mr Ohanyan did not conceal his enthusiasm. “I have participated in many swearing-in ceremonies but this one was unique. It was a novelty. This is the first time I am participating in the swearing-in of future teachers, rather than servicemen - teachers who train soldiers, different specialists and experts in different fields, preparing them for life's journey,” he said. 

The Defence Minister emphasized the role teachers have in the country’s future, noting that it is professional perfection that ensures progress in each person's life, as well as dignity and respect in the society.

Seyran Ohanyan also considered the choice of the ceremony location (at Abovyan House-Museum in Kanaker) to be symbolic.  

“The prominent and worthy people of our society were born and lived in such simple huts, but Armenia has progressed and prospered thanks to these people.

Taking an oath in this small museum implies that you swear to ensure a safe and advanced future for a bigger museum -Armenia.”

Along with his congratulations and best wishes, the minister also had a beautiful surprise.

Three students of the Pedagogical University, who are now serving in the Armenian army, were granted leave to visit their homes and families as a sign of appreciation and encouragement.