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About the Academic Research Activities of the ASPU Students
“Within the scope of today’s higher education reforms great attention is paid to the research component; learners are getting familiarized with the practical principles of science at the undergraduate level, while at the MA level it acquires a practical application in relation to writing the MA thesis”, mentioned the Vice –Rector of Academic Affairs Ms. SrbouhiGevorgyan during the regular ASPPU Academic Board Session.
The Vice-Rector also highlighted that during the previous years activities were carried out to improve the research process granting great role and significance particularly to the selection of subjects, deadlines, selection of research supervisors; while today, major progress has been observed.
“In order to improve research activities, changes regarding the measurement and quality have been made; a procedure of research activities for MA students in accordance with the educational programme has been generated, special forms have been developed and submitted for the evaluation and assessment of graduate theses, together with theses defense guarantee feedback forms, a database of the MA theses’ headings has been established at the faculties, which is being regularly updated; it has also been decided to hold the attestation of the MA research papers every semester in accordance to the above-mentioned procedure, etc.”, added Ms. SrbouhiGevorgyan.
Likewise, the latter emphasized that in the process of drafting and defending the MA thesis, graduate students demonstrate skills of individual creative thinking, awareness of researches, methods and methodologies during the work and providing individual justifications, as well as ability to evaluate the possibilities of using the results in practical and theoretical activities, etc.
“Cooperation agreements between the ASPU and various international leading universities are growing and enjoying qualitative improvements annually. Today, we already have 29 such agreements; moreover, students’ exchange programmes are also paid attention in the light of creating joint MA research courses, mutual visits of scientists, which will give the students research activities a new quality and meaning”.
Similarly, Ms. SrbouhiGevorgyan made a thorough presentation of activities performed by ten faculties of the University in the sphere of education.
In his turn the ASPU Rector Rouben Mirzakhanyan outlined the meaning of research institutes, after which he noticed that research activities of the University have acquired a new quality but they should not remain satisfied with the current results. He urged to cooperate with the graduate students, to motivate and to support them in their future activities.
About the Internationalization of the University
Next in turn, Mr. AraYeremyan-the Vice-Rector for Personnel and International Cooperation of the University reported about the programmes aimed at international cooperation and internationalization of the ASPU.
The latter highlighted that the aim of the ASPU internationalization is to improve the education services and research quality, to foster University’s competitiveness on national and international levels, create a favourable environment for intercultural discourse, ensure the demand and competitiveness of the University’s graduates on national and international platforms.
What is more, the Vice Rector for Personnel and International Cooperation introduced the legal and strategic basis for the internationalization of the ASPU, membership, scope of collaboration, cooperation agreements with various countries, the amount of the lecturers’ mobility within the framework of the TEMPUS projects, the number of the ASPU students who participated in international events, activities already performed in the current year and those still in the pipeline for the future.
The Academic Board adopted the suggested international cooperation programmes and directions of internationalizationof the university; the Deans of Faculties were assigned to submit to the Rector an educational programme of internationalization activities for 2015-2016 in a fortnight.
Rector Rouben Mirzakhanyan noticed that making the ASPU an international educational institution is complicated but possible due to common efforts and students’ high academic progress.
Current issues
In addition, the Academic Board discussed the “National Songs and Dances” course. The teaching- professorial team of the ASPU welcomed the RA MES initiative to pilot the course “National Songs and Dances” firstly in in 13 secondary schools, and afterwards, its mandatory inclusion into the learning process.
Moreover, in addition to the mandatory academic hours of the course “National Songs and Dances”, it was suggested to offer it as extracurricular course, by dividing it into two phases- “National Dances” and “National Songs”.
Nevertheless, it was decided to include the course “National Songs and Dances” in secondary schools curriculum only as a result of continuous monitoring and narrow professional discussions involving pedagogues,psychologists, doctors, physiologists and hygienistswith professional education, experience and knowledge of specifications of schools and the age of learners into the group of specialist developing the course.
Further on, the Head of the Department of Ecology and Sustainable Development Ms. KarineiDanielyan delivered her report to the Academic Board members on the importance of including the subject of “Ecology and Sustainable Development Principles” as a component of the curriculum of high-schools.
The latter also noticed that the development of today’s global crisis was explained by the unsatisfactory ecological culture of civilization and absence of necessary close educational and scientific insurance.
The Academic Board decided that the above-mentioned question shall be submitted for the discussion of the RA Ministry of ES.
Later during the session, the Vice-Rector for Research Activities Ms. SrbouhiGevorgyan presented and the Academic Board approved the topics of four Candidate theses and recommended the publication of three training manuals.
And last but not least, the nominated candidates NorikDavtyan and HasmikLeyloyan were elected by a secret vote as the professors at the Department of Music, and GayaneiAghuzumtsyan, HakobTadevosyan, ArusyakHovhannisyan, LucineiPoghosyan and SousannaSisyan were re-assigned on the positions of Associate Professors at the Department of Applied Pedagogy.
