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As part of the Days of Armenian Culture in Russia, the second Russian-Armenian scientific and educational forum was held in Moscow at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, on the joint initiative of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the Armenian Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport.
The forum was attended by Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan and Russian Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov.
The university’s rector, Ivan Lobanov, delivered the opening remarks, highlighting effective Russian-Armenian cooperation in various areas of science and education.
He welcomed the forum being held at Plekhanov University and emphasized the successful operation of its branch in Yerevan, which implements numerous educational programs.
The rector also spoke about Armenian graduates of the university over the years who later became prominent scientists, adding that many Armenian students are currently studying at the university.
“We have excellent experience working with our partners from the Republic of Armenia, and we hope that this cooperation will continue. Today, our platform has brought together more than 100 experts from the two countries. This demonstrates that cooperation maintains its momentum and is based on mutual interests,” Ivan Lobanov said, thanking Zhanna Andreasyan and Valery Falkov for the successful initiative.
Russian Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov, in turn, noted that the forum had already become a significant event, bringing together representatives of 43 leading universities, as well as academic and scientific institutions from the two countries. According to him, this is an important indication of their mutual interest in strengthening cooperation between Russia and Armenia.
“We attach great importance to the student and lecturer exchange program, which involved more than 1,000 people from the two countries during the previous academic year. There is also a solid foundation for inter-university cooperation. A total of 443 agreements are in place between universities and scientific institutions, under which 159 programs are being implemented. The Russian-Armenian University, with more than 6,000 students, is a symbol of our cooperation and an intellectual bridge between our countries. Armenian intellectual capital is a key resource for our cooperation,” the minister said, expressing hope that Andreasyan’s visit would be another step toward launching new joint initiatives.
Andreasyan thanked her Russian counterpart for the substantive dialogue and for providing a platform to discuss current issues aimed at developing education and science.
“We really attach great importance to this format of cooperation, which allows us to assess the results achieved, identify common priorities and outline promising areas for further cooperation. Our education systems face largely common challenges: improving the quality of education, developing research potential, introducing modern educational approaches, training specialists who are in demand, and creating conditions for everyone to discover their abilities,” the minister said.
Andreasyan said that the development of education and science in Armenia is viewed as an important prerequisite for the country's development and the strengthening of its human potential, while the development of international scientific and educational cooperation is an integral part of this process.
She emphasized that the exchange of experience, joint studies and expansion of professional contacts make it possible to align approaches, find effective solutions and create new opportunities for universities, scientific institutions, faculty members and students.
According to the minister, joint programs, including initiatives to support young scientists and establish international research groups, open up new opportunities for the practical application of research findings. Special attention should also be paid to training specialists for the digital economy.
Andreasyan also highlighted the importance of cooperation in the fields of language and culture, noting that encouraging the study of the two countries' languages, preserving cultural diversity and expanding interaction contribute to deepening mutual understanding between the Armenian and Russian peoples.
The Armenian minister emphasized the importance of continuing initiatives aimed at introducing young people to the cultural heritage, traditions and contemporary achievements of the two countries, thereby establishing a solid foundation for long-term cooperation.
“In this context, I would like to highlight the importance of the annual youth forum. Universities have great potential in this regard, and we must develop and make use of it,” Andreasyan concluded.
In response to a question from an Armenpress correspondent about the Days of Armenian Culture in Russia, Andreasyan said that the events were proving highly successful.
“We have already held several events. They have indeed been very successful and show that our culture is welcomed,” the minister emphasized.
At the conclusion of the forum, Andreasyan and Falkov signed the Charter of the Governing Board of the Russian-Armenian University. The ministers also exchanged gifts.