“In addition to their educational goals, summer schools and other forms of non-formal education are also aimed at self-fulfillment, self-reliance and self-discovery. They help participants make new acquaintances, interact with their peers from other countries, develop new skills necessary for entering into society, and form a new platform for human relations,” Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan said during the closing ceremony of the International Summer School 2015 at the Aghavnadzor training base. The minister then handed over the programme attendees certificates of participation.
Minister Ashotyan, who has participated in numerous Summer Schools, assured everyone that ‘the programme as a pedagogical method is one of the most effective programmes.’
He also noted that Armenian State Pedagogical University has been intensively improving and effecting reforms in recent years, trying to better itself with every passing day. The minister then urged the University to continue cooperation with international institutions and implement joint programmes.
In his speech, ASPU Rector Ruben Mirzakhanyan welcomed the programme participants and thanked the rectors of partner universities and programme supporters. He assured everyone that the unprecedented project which unites the youth of different countries will be continued in the future.
The participants had also prepared a pleasant surprise for the audience: at the end of the event they performed folk songs and dances, showed their paintings depicting Armenia and its nature, shared their impressions and then expressed their gratitude to the University for organizing their leisure time, good rest and study tours in Armenia.
“We were able to fall in love with Armenia and its people, who are well known for their warmth and hospitality. This is another opportunity for young people [like us] to love life and it will remain in our memories for a long time,” said Natasha Payevskaya, a student of Moscow City Psychological-Pedagogical University. She promised to take away with her and spread everywhere the belief that ‘Armenia is one of the best corners of the world.’
The best entertainment, various contests, unforgettable rides, delicious food and full safety… Students state that they often felt at home and therefore they think that this is the beginning of a great and lasting friendship and cooperation.
Gilberto Oliver, who arrived in Armenia from Brazil, is studying at the University of Oulu in Finland. He says half-jokingly, half seriously that Armenians pronounce his name in their own way - Zhorik Oliveryan. In his interview with old.aspu.am, Gilberto also enumerated with pride the Armenian words he learnt during his stay in the country.
The Brazilan participant is fascinated by the variety and richness of the Summer School programme, the warm hospitality of Armenian people and their willingness to help others in everything, starting from teaching the Armenian language to teaching folk music and dances.
Gilberto Oliver assured his Armenian friends that he would return to Armenia some day because he liked the country and its people. Besides, he is going to do research in Armenia in cooperation with ASPU lecturers.
The Summer School programme which has united several nations has proved yet again that this successful programme is one of the best ways of strengthening not only educational and cultural ties, but also friendship and collaboration between peoples of different countries.
During the ten days of the programme, the participants only had positive impressions and opinions and expressed hope that next summer schools would be even better and more impressive.
At the end of the event, Suren Barseghyan, Deputy Head of the ASPU Department of Chess and Sports, handed over certificates and prizes to the students who had won in chess, volleyball, backgammon and tennis tournaments. Also, the foreign participants of the programme gave souvenirs to ASPU Rector Ruben Mirzakhanyan, Vice-Rector for Personnel and International Cooperation Ara Yeremyan, Head of International Cooperation Unit Kristina Tsaturyan and Chairman of the ASPU Student Council Nersik Margaryan.
The “Summer School” programme implemented jointly by Armenian State Pedagogical University, Youth Foundation of Armenia and ASPU Student Council has been run for the third year in a row.
This year, the programme brought together about 85 students from ASPU, Artsakh State University, Moscow City Psychological-Pedagogical University, St. Petersburg State University of Economics, Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences, the University of Oulu (Finland) and Belarusian State Pedagogical University named after Maxim Tank.
