KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Armenian State Pedagogical University after Khachatur Abovyan and the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on March 22. The document was signed by the rectors of the two educational institutions – Ruben Mirzakhanyan (ASPU) and Margarita Rusetskaya (PSRLI).

The document intends to promote the teaching of the Russian language at ASPU, testing, development and training of specialists, increasing their qualifications and preparation of testers with the application of distance education resources of the Institute. Under the document, methodological and technical support will be provided to the projects related to the teaching and testing of the Russian language, including the use of resources of the “Education in Russian" portal. Also, joint Olympiads and creative writing competitions will be organized to check the knowledge of the Russian language, literature and culture, as well as the knowledge of the national language.

The ASPU rector stressed that the agreement opens up new prospects for the two educational institutions, besides, the newly-opened centre for Russian language training and testing will allow lecturers and students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.

Mr Mirzakhanyan added that during the two-day visit of the Russian delegates, they also reached an agreement [with the Russian side] to cooperate within Summer School courses, and create opportunities for the lecturers of the partner educational institution to teach Russian at ASPU for several semesters.

“We have big plans and huge work to do. We shall also take serious steps to make Russian language teaching accessible for citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Georgia,” Ruben Mirzakhanyan said. He assured on behalf of his colleagues that all projects would be implemented.

Margarita Rusetskaya, Rector of the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute, also thanked the Armenian side for cooperation, stressing that collaboration between the two educational institutions that bear the names of prominent personalities is of great importance and significance for the two countries.

“I am confident that in a short time we shall meet again to discuss the results of cooperation. I wish it [cooperation] to be long-lasting and effective with the aim of promoting education in both countries and preserving the good traditions of the two peoples,” Margarita Rusetskaya said.

At the end of the two-day visit of the Russian colleagues, the ASPU Academic Council conferred an Honorary Degree of Doctor on the rector of the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute.

The professor, who had received numerous awards and honors, thanked for the award and assured everyone that receiving an honorary doctorate from a pedagogical university was precious and honourable for her. “It adds a new responsibility which, first of all, refers to cooperation with ASPU. Activity in the education sector requires courage and competence from each person as in our daily work we shoulder great responsibility to shape the future of students who are the future of our country,” Margarita Rusetskaya said.

At the end of her speech, the Professor expressed words of gratitude for the attitude towards the Russian language and its promotion in Armenia. “Whatever you do for the preservation of the Russian language is worthy of respect. We are ready to support all your initiatives," she said.