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Organization of research and publishing activities at ASPU
The regular sitting of the Academic Council was held at Armenian State Pedagogical University on Tuesday with a primary focus on the organization of research and publishing activities at the University. In her report, ASPU Vice-Rector for Educational and Scientific Affairs, Srbuhi Gevorgyan, stressed that ‘today, when research universities are considered to be the best educational institutions, ASPU also emphasizes the role and significance of research activities.’
The vice-rector presented in detail the activities of the ASPU Research Centre, those including organization of different academic competitions and involvement of lecturers in these competitions, creating opportunities for scientists to publish their works and papers, effective implementation of scientific activities, etc.
“We plan to contribute to the diversification of postgraduate programs, promote research-oriented professional practice, create favourable conditions for postgraduate studies and research opportunities inside and outside the University,” Srbuhi Gevorgyan said. She added that they also have long-term goals connected with the ASPU Museum of History and plan to make History of Pedagogical Education a scientific research direction and include it in research topics.
Speaking about the printed works of the teaching staff, the vice-rector presented statistical data [for each Department] on articles published in 2013-2014 academic year and stressed that out of the 138 scientific publications, 100 have been included in the Russian Science Citation Index (RISC), 38 have been presented in international journals and conferences and are included in Web of Science, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, British Library and other famous citation databases.
The rector stressed that the quality of an educational institution is determined by the number of educators: scientist is not just a title; it also shows to what extent the person meets the requirements of modern science.
“Naturally, one’s endeavours to have his works published in international journals may be unsuccessful but I cannot understand why the Departments do not make any attempts and only suffice with seemingly random success,” the rector said expressing hope that the encouraging data recorded in the first three months of 2015 will be maintained and developed. He stressed that the University is expanding its international cooperation and the data should be consistent with the rates.
Student Council Chairman presents report on SC activity
Chairman of the ASPU Student Council Nersik Margaryan presented the attendees SC activities for 2014-2015 academic year, as well as programs and events implemented by the self-governing body which are aimed at protecting the rights and interests of students, postgraduate students and degree seekers.
Those include social, sports, environmental, spiritual and cultural events, pan-Armenian, inter-university and international programs. Within the framework of these programs, together with the Youth Foundation of Armenia, the SC has provided scholarships and financial aid to students, organized visits to orphanages, special schools and student holidays in Aghavnadzor and Tsakhkadzor.
Among comprehensive developmental programs, the SC Chairman singled out the activities of the Speaking Club operating [for the second year] within the Faculty of Foreign Language, which organizes free courses of Russian, English, French, German and Spanish. About 200 students are currently involved in the courses and they will receive certificates upon completion.
In his reports, the SC Chairman also spoke about the future activities of the body he heads.
“The Student Council and the teaching staff have serious work to do in order to arouse students’ interest in culture. It is evident that the same people participate in different events, and most students are passive which is unacceptable in 4-6 years of studies,” ASPU Rector Ruben Mirzakhanyan said adding that they would try their best to increase the number of Summer School participants every year.
Current Issues
In line with the well-established tradition, ASPU Rector Ruben Mirzakhanyan first congratulated all those who are celebrating their birthdays in March and then conferred academic ranks of Professor and Associate Professor on two and five candidates, respectively.
Then ASPU Vice-Rector for Educational and Scientific Affairs, Srbuhi Gevorgyan, presented four dissertation topics which were approved by the Academic Council and recommended papers and manuals for printing. By a decision of the Academic Council, the Department of Engineering Science, General Technical Disciplines and Teaching Methods was renamed Department of Technological Education.
By a secret ballot, Associate Professor Ara Hakobyan was re-elected Head of the Department of Theory and History of Art and Culturology, Doctor of Juridical Science, Professor Vladimir Hovhannisyan was elected Head of the Department of Jurisprudence and its Teaching Methods, and Doctor of Historical Sciences Ashot Piliposyan was elected Head of the Department of History of Armenia.
Also, nominees for academic ranks – Doctor of Political Science, Associate Professor Levon Shirinyan and Candidate of Legal Science Lusine Hakobyan were promoted to the rank of Professor and Associate Professor, respectively.
