- Հայ
- Рус
- Eng
‘Technology as a subject had its unique place in the curriculum of Soviet schools. Interest in the subject declined over time and only in recent years people have started to emphasize its role in society,” Artak Sahradyan, Head of the Department of Engineering Science, Technical Disciplines and Teaching Methods, said in his opening remarks during a two-day conference that started at Armenian State Pedagogical University on November 25. He stressed that the subject has become so important in the most advanced countries that it has been included in the final certification exams along with other subjects.
“High-quality education is first of determined by good educational system and teaching staff. The aim of the conference is to discuss, analyze and evaluate the current situation of the academic discipline and prospects for its development, determine achievements and problems that will contribute to the education reforms. The development of industry, without which we cannot have a developed country, is also conditioned by development of technical subjects and polytechnic education,” said Mr Sahradyan.
Pointing out the problems existing in the sphere, ASPU Vice-Rector for Educational and Scientific Affairs Srbuhi Gevorgyan stressed that it would be impossible to imagine the development of engineering and technology in the entire world outside the boundaries of science. Addressing the participants of the conference entitled “Technology: Educational Challenges” the Vice-Rector said in recent years the University has had major achievement in the review and updating of educational programs which are aimed at introducing new teaching new methods and techniques at schools and solving the problems in the education sector.
Vice-Rector Mher Melik-Bakhshyan, Head of the Department of Coordination of Academic and Scientific-Methodological Activities, confirmed that the University is doing everything to keep up with developments and innovations in IT industry. In this context, he called attention to the opening of “Nairi” engineering laboratory at the ASPU. “The lab will become a modern centre where new programs and methodological manuals will be developed. It will also promote the process of training teachers, arming them with new, technological knowledge and skills,” he said.
Hayk Chobanyan, Deputy Executive Director of the Union of Information Technology Enterprises (UITE), stressed the importance of cooperation with the ASPU and said the collaboration would be enhanced in the future: the establishment of engineering labs at schools has become part of a national program. “Engineering labs will open in all schools in Armenia in 2018. The main staff of these labs will be trained at the ASPU. Technologists are in great demand in the world today. It is time we lowered the age limit for those who are interested in the profession.”
The artworks of the graduate students specializing in Technology and Entrepreneurship were exhibited during the conference. The event was attended by specialists of state agencies, educational institutions, civic and social organizations.
Heated discussions and presentations took place during the conference, with the participants discussing the role and importance of modern technologies in staff training, problems of the sector, different teaching styles, characteristics of teaching the subject ,,Technology,, in elementary schools.
The conference will continue on Wednesday, November 26.
