KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Life in Aghavnadzor-based Teaching and Training Center of Armenian State Pedagogical University is in full swing which is typical of this season of the year. Starting February 2, students from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, who have demonstrated high academic performance and social activity, have been enjoying their winter holidays at the Center according to a good tradition started by the University.

This year, the number of students spending their holidays at the Center totals 100, which is much higher than the number in the previous years. The best readers of the University in 2014 and the University’s female football team have joined the students at the Center. 

Chairman of the ASPU Student Council Nersik Margaryan says they have already managed to get together and discuss with students the agenda of the 4-day holiday.

Competitions in draughts, chess, backgammon and table tennis, cultural and entertainment events, round-table discussions, intellectual games, film screenings, as well as humorous programs presented by different faculties. 

The chairman of the Student Council assured the students that they would have a good time at the Center with hectic days and busy schedule: they would do everything possible to combine business with pleasure and provide positive feelings and emotions. “The problem of communication is already solved. Although the students did not know each other before coming to the Center, they have already become friends and socialize without complexes.”

This was also confirmed by Deputy Head of the Department of Chess and Sports, Lecturer Suren Barseghyan, who will be supervising all sporting events in Aghavnadzor and coordinating students’ routine at the Center.

The specialist who has been tasked with the supervision and management of students’ daily life at the Center for several years says the skepticism and the fear that he will not be able to complete his work in time are already gone. 

The self-discipline of students, the insatiable desire to fully enjoy the holiday season and the positive environment encouraged Mr Barseghyan to assume the responsibilities without hesitation.  

He confesses that occasionally they encounter failures and drawbacks but everything is settled in a matter of seconds with joint efforts. “More people want to join holidaymakers in Aghavnadzor but not everyone is lucky enough to come here. Of course, this has its positive side as well since students come to realize that only through assiduous work, learning and social activity they can appear in the list of holidaymakers.”

Ani Khachatryan, a future historian studying at the Faculty of History and Law, also highlighted this unique method of encouraging students. This is her first visit to the Center. Ani confesses her delight in everything and says this is the best holiday she has ever had.  

Angela Gabrielyan, who studies at the Faculty of Educational Psychology and Sociology and is a member of the Student Council, says during the holiday in the Aghavnadzor-based Center students will have an opportunity to know each other better, understand their needs and organize the activities of the structure more effectively. 

Angela is particularly pleased with the food, which provides the University's catering staff.

The guests have three meals a day – breakfast, dinner and supper. Chef Anush Petrosyan who is in charge of delicious, nutritious and varied diet says the menu is variable and she cooks everything with love and pleasure: she is doing her utmost to please the students and make them feel at home. 

The routine of the students in the ASPU Center in Aghavnadzor becomes even more interested when they have guests from Yerevan. 

ASPU Vice-Rectors Srbuhi Gevorgyan, Armen Tamazyan and Mher Melik-Bakhshyan arrived in Aghavnadzor to get acquainted with the conditions and talk to the students. 

After hearing words of gratitude and positive opinions, the vice-rectors asked the students to talk about the problems in the recreational and educational processes and come up with their proposals.

Some students said there were few lessons in certain disciplines; others suggested organizing students’ internship and opening a sports centre in the Aghavnadzor-based Center. Many focused on career prospects after graduation. 

Students taking distance learning courses at the University emphasized their presence in the Aghavnadzor training base and the importance of equal educational conditions for all students. 

Students will stay in Aghavnadzor till the end of the week.