83-YEAR-OLD TEACHER TRAINING UNIVERSITY STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN RELATIONS AND TRADITIONS IN THE SPHERE OF EDUCATION
By Gohar Gevorgian

AZG Armenian Daily #179
06/10/2005

Education

Study and development of the Russian philology always was in the
limelight of the State Teacher Training University of Armenia. The
Armenian-Russian educational, scientific and cultural relations
that have seen periods of trials are gradually cementing today. The
Year of Russia in Armenia this year did not escape the university’s
attention either. Prof. Artush Ghukasian, rector of the university,
gave an interview to daily Azg on the prerequisites for development
of Russian philology in Armenia.

Demand for teachers of Russian language and literature in Armenian
schools made the administration of the university open a department of
Russian Philology and Romano-German Languages in 2001-2002. The four
departments of the university teach Russian language and literature
and foreign languages and literature. The department that currently
has 480 students is rapidly growing. It prepares Russian language
specialists not only for Yerevan but also for different schools of
the republic and the Diaspora. Approach to Russian studies sticks
out vividly from among other studies in the university. The rector
says that special attitude to Russian comes from old Armenia-Russian
traditions that the university preserves and develops. “Most of the
Armenian intellectuals were educated and got qualification in Russia.

Those relations need revision, reform and development”, Mr. Ghukasian
said.

Armenia has agreements of international cooperation with such states
as Sweden, Holland, Spain, Italy, Syria but “our relations with Russia
are special”.

Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov’s present of computers and equipment
for language laboratory that will open on 8 October was another
step towards fostering Armenian-Russian relations in the sphere
of education. Moscow mayor and representatives of Moscow’s
Teacher Training University will take part in the opening of the
laboratory. The rector said that they have decided together with
mayor Luzhkov to grant annual scholarship to 10-15 students of the
university. The sides look to signing an agreement between Yerevan
and Moscow universities once the Russian delegation arrives in
Armenia. The agreement will open a project of exchange of students,
lecturers and scientific literature as well as will enable joint
researches recognition of each other’s diplomas, scientific meetings
and cultural gatherings.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress