On March 21, 2019, YSU Ijevan Branch Delegation was hosted by “France Bleu Drôme Ardèche” radio station, in Valence, France.

Valence Deputy Mayor Frank Doman, who simultaneously runs “Let’s Cook Together” program, offered our university students a live broadcast on Armenian cuisine, also attended by famous confectioner in Valence Armine Ispiryan.

At the beginning of the program A. Mardanyan introduced Ijevan, YSU Ijevan Branch, the changes made in our country after the revolution and thanked for the warm welcome.

Then five students of YSUIB presented the recipes of Harisa, Dolma, Kufta, Pakhlava and traditional Armenian gata.

After the program, the deputy mayor of Valence, Frank Doman, underlined that he was impressed by the French knowledge of the delegation. He introduced members of the delegation the work of various divisions of radio stations.

At the end of the visit, A.Ispiryan made a pleasant surprise with pakhlava prepared by himself and Ijevan delegation with a gata prepared in Armenia.

 On March 20^th, 2019, YSU Ijevan Branch hosted the representatives of YSU Cultural Center, the director of the center, Artistic Director of “Universitarian” (“Hamalsaranakan”) theater-studio Karine Davtyan, headed by center choir and orchestra Artistic Director Karen Sargsyan.

The visit aimed to get acquainted with YSUIB, to involve students in the Center’s cultural initiatives, to deepen cooperation and to implement joint projects.

First, the representatives of YSU Cultural Center met with acting director of the Branch A. V. Tsutsulyan. Mr. Tsutsulyan welcomed the initiative of the center’s representatives, readiness to cooperate, and discussed the terms of cooperation.

Then the guests got acquainted with the daily life of the Branch, donated books to the library, and enjoyed the works of students and graduates of the Faculty of Applied Arts and the walls of the university designed by students.

Then, a meeting was held with YSUIB students, YSU Cultural Center Director Karine Davtyan familiarized the students with the center, briefly introduced the history of the center, the cultural groups functioning in the center and various cultural events, the purpose and objectives of the Cultural Center, the main directions of its activity.

In particular, it was mentioned that in June, 2006, in accordance with YSU Academic Council, YSU Cultural Center was established. The primary objectives were the coordination of cultural events, as well as the consolidation of events organized by YSU structures and ensuring their qualitative standards. To accomplish these tasks, multicultural ensembles were formed owing to professional leaders, creative and gifted students and lecturers were involved.

In the Cultural Center the following cultural groups are operating, with the help of which various cultural events are being implemented.

• Theatre-studio “Universitarian” (“Hamalsaranakan”)- Artistic director  Karine Davtyan
• Ensemble of female dancers –  Aristic director  Ani Haroyan
• Choir –  Artistic director RA honoured Artist Karen Sargsyan, conductor Ruben Karaseferyan
• Studio of Creative work (literature) – Director- Doctor of Philology, professor Samvel Muradyan
• “NIKE” volunteering squad- the coordinator- Arevik Prazyan
• Cinema club –  the coordinator  Maria Grigoryan
• Folk orhcestra – Artistic director – Armen Ayvazyan
• Guitarists group –  Artistic director Norayr Shahbazyan

  Goals and Objectives

• The aims and objectives of the Cultural Center are the following:
• The development of cultural skills of YSU students’ along with  educational processes.
• The provision of communication of University students with students from different countries, including Artsakh and Diaspora, through culture.
• The organization and participation of interuniversity and state competitions, festivals, the discovery of gifted and talented students through the development of interuniversity cultural ties.
• The organization of inter-cultural competitions, festivals among student within and between the Universities.
• The organization of exhibitions, concerts and performances  not only in Armenia, but also abroad.
• The organization of cultural lectures, seminars, round table discussions.
• The development of a good taste by organizing film screenings, performances, discussions, meetings with famous people.

The main activities of the Cultural Center are the following:

• The organization of concerts not only in Yerevan State University, but also in different regions of the Republic of Armenia and in Artsakh.
• The regular organization of meetings with prominent people from the cultural world.
• Visits to the theaters by organizing discussions with the creative stuff of the performance.
• Visits to the performances of National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet after Alexander Spendiaryan.
• The promotion of the participation of large-scale events, television programs, video shootings.

During the meeting, special emphasis was also put to 2019 International Student Competition entitled “The Voice of the Future Generation”, held for the first time in Armenia. Students of Ijevan Branch of Yerevan State University can apply until April 30.

At the end of the meeting, Acting Director of YSUIB A. V.Tsutsulyan, conveying his gratitude to YSU Cultural Center representatives for the visit and cooperation initiative, said: “At the next meeting in Ijevan, we will have a performance by YSU Cultural Center based on Vardges Petrosyan’s” Armenian Sketches “, which will be the beginning to continue the cooperation.”

 From March 18 to April 8, several students of Ijevan Branch of Yerevan State University (the 4th year student of “French Language and Literature” specialty Emma Shahnazaryan, Luara Gevorgyan, Lusya Ghaltakhchyan, “French Language and Literature” 3rd year student Hranush Davtyan and “Service” 3d year student Mariam Meliksetyan), headed by Assistant Professor, PhD, Head of French language and Literature Department Aida Mardanyan take part in trainings to improve their knowledge of French at the Maestris University in Valence, France.

On March 18, at 11:00 , the plane landed at  Lyon Saint-Exupery airport.

YSUIB representatives were warmly welcomed and they went to Valence.

Guests were welcomed at the “Rapido” restaurant by Nubar Keshishyan, President of the Armenian Cultural Heritage Center.

N. Keshishyan introduced the group’s members to the program of the visit, after which they left for host families.

On the next day, on March 11th, the university students received a beautiful reception at the Maestris High School, attended by host families, N. Keshishyan, Deputy Mayor F.Domman, faculty members.

Nubar Keshishyan and the director of the High School Philip Cartien welcomed YSUIB representatives.

Then the group leader A.Mardanyan made a speech and conveyed her gratitude to the whole team for organizing this beautiful linguistic and cultural visit. She handed Mr. Cartier the symbolic gift and message by Acting Director of YSUIB A. Tsutsulyan.

Ms. Mardanyan also put forward new proposals for the student exchange program, which was approved. Afterwards, the trainings start, which will last until April 8

 On March 16^th, 2019, the 1st stage of  School Olympiad was held at YSU and all regions of Armenia.

YSU has been holding the school Olympiad for 11 years. The aim of the contest is to orient pupils in their majors, to enrich their knowledge and abilities, to get necessary skills and to familiarize them with the faculties they prefer.

The Olympiad is held in Tavush by the Department of Professional Orientation and Practice of YSU Ijevan Branch.

YSUIB  Acting Director, Associate Professor, PhD,  Artak Tsutsulyan welcomed the School Olympiad participants. He highlighted the importance of such competitions before the final examinations, wished the participants good luck, touched upon YSU and Ijevan Branch and the problem of choosing relevant profession.

Then, Slavik Alaverdyan, Inspector of the Department of Professional Orientation and Practice of YSUIB, presented the participants’ lists, so the lecturers and students accompanied the Olympiad participants to the classrooms and the School Olympiad started.

This year, 235 pupils from 34 schools participated in the Olympiad from Tavush Region. The students compete in 13 subjects:

• mathematics,
• physics,
• chemistry,
• Informatics,
• biology,
• geography,
• History of Armenia,
• Armenian language and literature,
• Russian language,
• English,
• German,
• French,
• Creative work

The Olympiad Participants received booklets about YSU, its various faculties and Ijevan Branch.

The Olympiad is planned to be held in two stages. 2nd stage of the Olympiad to be held on March 30, at 11:00, at YSU, the winners of the first stage will take part in it.

Closing and awarding ceremony of the Olympiad will take place on April 19, at 15.00 at YSU hall (central building, 3rd floor).

ATTENTION: According to the decision of YSU Academic Council, the winners of the Olympiad ( I, II and III place winners) enrolled in YSU paid system of education, will be awarded with 50, 40 and 30% compensation of tuition fees.

 The photos are available in the gallery.