KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

The results of the Better Teaching for a Better Future (BTBF) project were summarized at Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU). The project was implemented in close cooperation with Zurich University of Teacher Education (PH Zurich). ASPU was one of the coordinators of the project.

Within the framework of the project, educational materials [for training teachers, lecturers, and students] that meet the modern requirements of educational reforms were developed. Also, training courses aimed at improving pedagogical and teaching approaches were conducted for school principals and teachers.

Welcoming the attendees ASPU Rector Srbuhi Gevorgyan hailed the idea of the workshop at the end of the important project. “ASPU is obliged to always be by the side of teachers and learners, emphasizing the University’s mission, preparedness and development of the teaching staff," the rector said adding that the project was successful in terms of introducing new experience and working in a new format.

The rector stated that ASPU had the opportunity to introduce new program methods, new approaches and opportunities into the educational system; the Swiss partners, emphasizing ASPU’s experience and investing in the Armenian academic circles, revealed the existing problems during the training courses within the framework of regional visits and proposed a new package of methods, which proved to be successful, taking into account the feedback from schools and partners.

“The efforts aimed at introducing new standards in Armenia aim to not only impart deep and comprehensive knowledge, but also to boost collaboration skills, critical thinking, and creative work. We had numerous goals which proved that methodology approaches and packages have enabled [us] to have new approaches in terms of creating a learning environment where each learner will have the opportunity to create their own learning trajectory and learning path in line with their cognitive needs,” Srbuhi Gevorgyan said. She emphasized the need to continue the project in the new environment with the aim of achieving universal education with the support of Swiss partners.

Marianna Harutyunyan, Vice-Rector for Human Resources Management and International Affairs at ASPU, spoke about the effectiveness of joint work and emphasized the importance of such initiatives for strengthening educational ties. She assured the attendees that teachers are already applying the experience gained during the four-year project, and they can say that the project was successful.

Susanna Azatyan, Head of the Division of Development and Implementation of General and Extracurricular Programs at the RA MoESCS, said in turn that such projects considerably assist in achieving the results of today's standards. In addition, the objectives and characteristics of the project are in line with current reforms in the general education system. She added that they already have educators, education leaders, and administrators who have been trained within the framework of the project. “To be able to implement those standards the teacher-training institution (ASPU) should be ready to train such teachers,” Susanna Azatyan stressed. She believes that if the project continues in the future, we will achieve great success and achievements in the Armenian education sector.

The attendees were also welcomed by Dr. Corinna Borer, the project coordinator from PH Zurich, who stated that one of our main strategic programs is international experience, which can provide educational programs. She emphasized the importance of work and collaboration with partners, which provides exchange of experience, and added that the project, which ensures future prosperity, was drafted in 2020; it was an opportunity to exchange new ideas. Dr. Borer particularly emphasized the enthusiasm and dedication of the Armenian partners and added that the project aimed to introduce the experience of the Swiss university into the educational reforms in Armenia, Georgia, and Moldova. “We are giving you these materials so that you can paint them in the colours of your countries," she added.

Corinna Borer considered her first visit to Armenia to be important and spoke about the challenges encountered during the visit, which, she said, were overcome ‘through joint efforts for the sake of a better future.’

ASPU Vice-Rector Marianna Harutyunyan summed up the results of the four-year project and noted that the project is an important step towards modernization of Armenia's education system; not only did it strengthen international cooperation, but also set high standards for training a new generation of teachers.

“The Swiss education system is very flexible. We took their manuals and "coloured" them with our own colours. In fact, we created what Armenian teachers needed. The project implemented with the three post-Soviet countries and based on practical knowledge and experience, was coordinated by Zurich,” Marianna Harutyunyan said. She added that seven manuals have been compiled and translated as a result of the project launched in 2020. Also, training courses have been conducted. The ASPU vice-rector assured everyone that thanks to the efforts of a group of lecturers from ASPU, they already have the best end results.

Representatives of the partner countries also made speeches at the workshop. Marin Dolinta from Moldova presented the experience of the State Pedagogical University of Chisinau, which emphasizes teachers’ qualities based on their skills and practical knowledge, while Natia Natsvlishvili from Georgia said that they had done everything considering the needs of the nation. The latter spoke about the components of the Georgian experience and presented the results - creation of manuals in Georgian, etc. Within the framework of the project, they used their potential to reform the country’s education system.

The trainers from ASPU - Tigran Mikaelyan, Satenik Sargsyan, and Kristina Tanajyan, also made speeches during the meeting. Tigran Mikaelyan said the project has tangible outcomes and emphasized that it enabled the sides to enrich their knowledge.

Swiss specialst Rolf Golob held a master class on the topic "Critical Assessment of Students’ Functions and Goals," which aroused great interest among the participants. Also, the manuals and handbooks created within the framework of the four-year project and already used in the learning process were introduced during the workshop.

At the end of the meeting, the participants of the project received corticates.