“Armenia’s strength lies in its people, and you, today’s young generation, are a part of it. As best you should understand the greatest responsibility of your calling, that of an education manager, and replace the leaders of the sphere with honour and dignity,” Mary A. Papazian, President of Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), said at Armenian State Pedagogical University at the handover of diplomas to graduates with a specialization in Education Management.
She said that the first graduates specializing in Education Management are in an advantageous position; they know the needs of the country’s education system. To fill the gap with their international experience, Mary Papazian proposed the graduates to complete postgraduate research courses at SCSU.
She also spoke with pride about collaboration between the two universities - SCSU and ASPU, stressing that they believe in the formation of new educational values in the education sector.
Ruben Mirzakhanyan, Rector of Armenian State Pedagogical University, considered the entry of the first graduates [with a specialization in Education Management] into the industry a significant event, at the same time stressing that the courses were conducted in English and some of the graduate students had an opportunity to deepen their knowledge and better their skills at leading universities in Great Britain and Georgia.
The rector added that all shortcomings revealed in the first stage will be addressed in the future and will arouse interest not only in the local market but also in the American educational system, specifically in SCSU, which also offers pedagogical education and prepares graduates for teaching positions.
Congratulating the graduates, Mr Mirzakhanyan once again assured everyone that young people who are armed with the necessary skills and knowledge will always find their place in the labor market.
Margaryan Elvina, one of the graduates with excellent academic performance, did an internship at Middlesex University in London. She is proud with the knowledge she acquired [during the years of the study] and is convinced that her profession, role and skills will be appreciated in the near future and she will be able to apply her knowledge in the education sector of her homeland in the best possible way.
A Master's degree program in Educational Management was introduced at ASPU in 2013. This year, the first eleven education management specialists graduated from the University. All students majoring in this specialty underwent practical training at Middlesex and Bath Spa universities in Great Britain, as well as at Ilia State University (ISU) in Georgia.
The Chair of Education Management, opened at ASPU within the framework of Tempus MAHATMA Project (Master in higher education management: Developing leaders for managing educational transformation), also implemented a capacity development program for the teaching staff which focused on new methods of teaching and learning, multi-component system of knowledge and current research approaches.
ASPU lecturers were trained at the International Center for Pedagogical Studies (CIEP) in Paris and European Center of Studies and Initiatives (CESIE) in Palermo.
The normative duration of degree study for such students is two years. At the end of the course, graduates are granted qualification of education management specialists. Most of the graduates of the current year already work in the field of their specialization, which is very important.
During her visit to Armenia, Mary Papazian was also received by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly, Chairman of the ASPU Council Galust Sahakyan.
