KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

“It is not me who is to highlight the role of a pedagogue in the history of our nation. Pedagogy is a calling and I think that we shall become the state where pedagogy will become the most in-demand and elite profession. I think that pedagogy is really the most prestigious profession because it is primarily conditioned by the fact in which spiritual and value system a RA citizen – soldier, officer or a public servant, lives,” Eduard Sharmazanov, Vice-Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly and a member of the ASPU Board, said during the swearing-in ceremony of ASPU freshmen at the House-Museum named after Grigor Lusavorich in Kanaker district.

Mr. Sharmazanov says it is a great honor for him to be part of the ASPU family which has been enriched with new pedagogues. “I wish you success, health and willingness to serve our Homeland," he said.

According to tradition, over 1000 new students of the University were ‘recruited to the army’ of the first teacher Mesrop Mashtots. They swore to remain faithful to the title they had voluntarily accredited to.

The solemn event was attended by ASPU Rector Ruben Mirzakhanyan, members of the ASPU teaching and academic staff and guests.

Congratulating the first-year students on the important day [in their lives] and wishing them success in studies, Mr. Mirzakhanyan said that the 95-year-old University has had many graduates who have enriched the country's educational and cultural smithies. “We are proud of our graduates. They have taught hundreds of thousands of people to become literate, opened a door to a great life and taught [them] to live,” he said.
Ruben Mirzakhanyan urged them to be worthy successors and be fit to be called ‘teachers of the 21st century.’

The ceremony was also attended by His Grace Bishop Vardan Navasardyan, Director of the Christian Education Center in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin.

The latter said that the swearing-in ceremonies are always held in a spiritual atmosphere which is of great importance. “You have made a decision to become part of a human-shaping mission and have your contribution to our Homeland. If a person does not believe in changes of a child, he will never succeed in educating the soul.”

The eminent priest gave spiritual advice to the students, urging them to use the hours and minutes of life in a wise way, value the colorful days of youth and enrich them with spiritual values.

Professor Aida Topuzyan, Head of the Chair of Professional Education and Pedagogy at ASPU, considered the day to be a real celebration: the family of pedagogues had been enriched with new, young and promising people.

The professor added that the swearing-in of freshmen is one of the many traditions of the University, but it differs from others as it remains in the life of each person as an unforgettable and unique day. “Equal conditions and opportunities are created in our University. You also have the opportunity to build your life, participate in decision-making processes, create, disclose yourselves and improve. Everything is in your hands. You are the creator of your personality and your reality, we only help, support and guide you in the process.” Aida Topuzyan asked everyone to remember those people who have important functions and missions in the near future.

Professor Karen Gevorgyan, Head of the Choreography Chair at ASPU, stressed in his speech that the Pedagogical University is one of the leading universities in Armenia, and every student must be proud and exalted to study there. "You will continue the way of the Great Enlightener (Grigor Lusavorich), who fought against ignorance throughout his life.”

Nersik Margaryan, Chairman of the ASPU Student Council, also congratulated the first-year students, wishing them success at the University.
Karlen Nazaryan, a student of the Faculty of Philology, has always dreamed to become a literary critic. He is convinced that he will be able to realize his cherished dream at the Pedagogical University. He has already understood that lecturers at ASPU are their senior friends who teach them the mission of a pedagogue in educating generations.

Together with his friends, the first-year student who has entered the Department of Armenian Language and Literature promised to be a worthy educator who will educate many generations and dignified Armenians.

The ceremony was followed by a concert.