YURI AVETISIAN: YSU DIASPORA STUDIES CHAIR MAY BECOME CENTER OF DIASPORA STUDIES

Noyan Tapan
Oct 27, 2009

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 27, NOYAN TAPAN. The Chair of Diaspora Studies was
founded at the Philological Department of Yerevan State University
(YSU) last academic year. This year 11 graduates of various departments
of YSU and other universities are enrolled in the program leading
to the degree of Master in "Diaspora Studies". During a talk with
Noyan Tapan correspondent, Professor Yuri Avetisian, the head of YSU
Diaspora Studies Chair, Doctor of Philology said that the impression
is that "the process comes up to expectations". According to him,
Diaspora studies are still specialization in the system of the
Phylological Department, but "there are ambitious plans to form a
separate speciality", which may be fulfilled this year. "The Chair of
Diaspora Studies is a novelty in Armenia’s educational system: there
is an intention to open a unit on its basis and then to turn it into
a center of Diaspora studies, most likely, an inter-university center,
but this will take time," Y. Avetisian noted.

The newly-established Chair has its problems in need of solution, first
of all, the problem of specialists: it is necessary to replenish the
teaching staff with Diaspora experts. "Our programs are quite diverse
and include literature, language, history, culture, and psychology,"
the head of the Chair explained, adding: "For example, we offer a
special course on psychological peculiarities of the preservation of
national identity in Diaspora communities. To teach this subject, we
have managed to find a good expert who deals with this problem". Yuri
Avetisian said they have already reached preliminary agreements to
invite lecturers from the Diaspora for at least 2-3 months in the next
half of the year. In particular, there is an agreement to invite Karo
Arakelian, an expert on Western Armenian, from Beirut. "There is hope
that next year he will be able to come for at least one-two months and
teach our students of the Master’s degree program," Y. Avetisian said,
attaching special importance to the establishment of closer links with
the Diaspora and the organization of mutual visits. In his opinion, a
specialist with a Master’s degree should visit, at least once or twice,
the Diaspora and stay in touch with Diaspora Armenian communities.

Y. Avetisian described the Diaspora as "multilayer", stressing
the need to study the psychology, lifestyle, and mentality of the
Diaspora Armenians. "We do not resemble each other very much and for
that reason we take different views on many issues," he said.

He also told about a project envisaging a bit more advanced study of
Western Armenian at comprehensive schools in Armenia. Work in this
direction is also being done at YSU Philological Department where a
group specialized in Western Armenian has been set up. The group’s
students study Western Armenian and literature in Western Armenian
in greater depth. "We think that later we will have an opportunity to
turn this group into a section of Diaspora studies, which will offer
Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Thus the continuity of education will
be ensured: school, a Bachelor’s degree program (for those willing to
study the history of Diaspora colonies, Armenian literature, Western
Armenian language and culture), and a Master’s degree program to
prepare strictly specialized experts. Now we have to just introduce
students from other universities to Western Armenian," the head of
the Chair noted.

As regards the development of contacts with foreign educational
institutions, Y. Avetisian said: "Our greatest hope is the RA Ministry
of Diaspora and Minister Hranush Hakobian, who played a significant
role in opening of our Chair and who will serve as a bridge between our
specialists and those from the Diaspora. Certain steps have already
been taken in this respect, with meetings held". It was mentioned
that the RA Ministry of Diaspora pays for education of 6 students,
and it is expected that in the future, the ministry will help them
find jobs both in Homeland and Diaspora Armenian colonies.