KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Summer School 2016 international programme implemented by the Student Council of Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU) in collaboration with the Youth Foundation of Armenia (YFA) got underway at the Aghavnadzor-based training centre of the ASPU. A number of students from ASPU’s partner universities are participating in the programme which is held for the fourth year in a row.

Multilingual participants of the programme will get acquainted with the amazing nature, picturesque places and natural wonders, ancient churches and temples in Armenia, visit museums and galleries and enjoy the view of its modern capital.

On the first day of the programme, ASPU Vice-Rector Ara Yeremyan and Head of International Cooperation Unit Kristina Tsaturyan made welcome speeches. Addressing the participants Mr. Yeremyan stressed that the programme will not only enable them to recognize Armenia but will also strengthen cultural and friendly ties between different peoples and help them make new friends.

“In the 21st century, it is important that students have intercultural communication skills. Summer schools provide such an opportunity for students to know representatives of other cultures, improve their language skills and acquire new friends,” said Kristina Tsaturyan. She added that this year the programme is more interactive: it includes team-building games and activities that will contribute to the perception of information about Armenia in an informal way.

In the next three days, the participants will visit Garni, Geghard, Etchmiadzin, Matenadaran and Cafesjian Center for the Arts. Also, a game will be organized in Yerevan which will familiarize the guests with the history of the Armenian capital.

During the 10-day programme the participants will be introduced to the higher education system in Armenia, specifically to the pedagogical activities of the ASPU. The programme will be enriched with numerous sporting, cultural and entertainment events.

Over 84 students from the University of Oulu (Finland), Pázmány Péter Catholic University (Hungary), Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences, Saint Petersburg University of Economics, Belarusian State Pedagogical University named after Maxim Tank, Moscow City Psychological-Pedagogical University, Moscow State Pedagogical University, Artsakh State University and Armemnian State Pedagogical University are participating in the Summer School 2016.