The process of internationalization at YSU Brief introduction to intenationalization policy and process at Armenia’s leading institution of higher education Dr. Alexander Markarov Deputy Vice Rector, Head of International Cooperation Office, Yerevan State University

The content of the internationalization. Academic mobility, (students, staff, and researchers Development and implementation of joint educational programs Education integration, unifying programs, courses, and educational standards Joint research projects, Unification of skills, abilities, competence More intensive international cooperation Participation in associations, networks. Creating other branches and campuses General intercultural understanding Etc

Key directions and priorities in the process of internationalization at YSU 1 Positive impact on improving the quality of the educational process, professional training and quality assurance of education in general. Bringing educational standards into conformity with existing international standards (in particular with the requirements of ENQA) today is a priority at YSU and in Armenia, in general.

2 Multi-faceted and multi-directional international scientific cooperation, bilateral contacts with partners, and participation in multinational consortia and projects. Collaborative research programs enabling the development of fundamental science and potentially - commercialization of research results. 3. Professional and student mobility. Key directions and priorities in the process of internationalization at YSU

Table 1. Staff mobility at YSU 2003/04 – 2009/10 ac.years Outgoing YSU ’ s staff mobility Europe Africa North America South America Asia Total

Table 2. Student mobility at YSU 2004/05 – 2009/10 ac.years Outgoing YSU ’ s student mobility Europe Africa North America Asia Total

Key directions and priorities in the process of internationalization at YSU 4 Increased number of signed agreements on cooperation, and, more important - increasing numbers in mobility are within the signed international agreements on scientific and educational cooperation. 5 Development of intercultural communication and intercultural understanding.

Table 3. YSU international partners 2004/05 – 2009/10 ac.years (according to signed agreements and MOUs) YSU ’ s international university partnerships Europe Africa North America South America Asia Total

Internationalization includes: YSU is actively involved in many grant programs and also in several international projects such as Tempus, OSI, DAAD, USAID, ISTC, CRDF, FP7, etc., and numerous research projects. It also must be emphasized that YSU is involved in several international networks, such as Erasmus Mundus, CIS Network University.

Examples of internationalization Graduate Program in Visual Computing, with the financial support of the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD and jointly with the University of Rostock (Germany) started to operate. Second joint program with the German partners in the specialty Computational Sciences and Engineering.

Examples of internationalization In 2008, the first in the post-Soviet area branch of the Russian Fund "Russian World" was opened at YSU - the "Russian Center", designed to help anyone interested in Russian language, history, culture, and today the Russian Federation. The Center for Distance Learning of Russian Language was inaugurated. On April 5th, 2010 the Center hosted the first lesson of the Russian language, which combines real-time about two hundred participants from Armenia and abroad

Examples of internationalization Armenian Virtual College (AVC) which is supported by YSU. The College is the newest school of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), which due to its advanced techniques, makes new contributions to the education. AVC has three directions - the Armenian language, history, and culture, each of which offers a range of courses that correspond to different levels of knowledge. The program is presented in 6 languages: English, Armenian (Eastern Armenian and Western), French, Russian and Spanish.

Examples of internationalization Strong relationship between Yerevan State University and the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (Russia, Dubna) have been developed. Professionals and students of YSU are involved in major projects carried out at JINR: CMS, COMPASS, ATLAS, Irene, and others.

Positive experience Positive experience at YSU includes development of the educational process, ensuring international standards of education and learning, sharing experiences, improving quality of human resources, joint research projects, the cultural component, the creation of and participation networks or professional associations, and professional activities related to their operation, work towards the establishment of research universities as centers able to perform the synthesis of science and education.

Problems and risks Brain drain Potential loss of national cultural identity, their own national "I" in education Modest financial resources, information limitations, Inadequate human resources in terms of their readiness and availability of the necessary skills, abilities and understanding of the process and its features. Lack of awareness and grassroots structures and lack of interest in participating can delay the process

Steps ahead University must move towards a more proactive involvement on the international front if it is to take full advantage of existing opportunities for rewarding academic partnerships and thus remain at the forefront of European research institutions. YSU best practices in this context cold include extensive links and support of international activities by administration, dedicated staff of International Office, as well as participation in many high profile international projects.

Steps ahead International research became an institutional politics priority, Faculty collaboration should be encouraged in key areas Selective partnerships with universities shall be pursued, based upon the potential for collaboration in research, as well as student, staff, and faculty exchange. More joined master programs.

Internationalization infrastructure YSU division responsible for the implementation of internationalization is the International Cooperation Office The main tasks of the Office include integration of the University into the world's scientific and educational processes, expanding the existing cooperation, organization of exchange programs, promotion of joint research and training activities, workshops, conferences and educational exhibitions. Developing the capacity to establish strong collaborative research initiatives and to stimulate innovative research

Outcomes of internationalization policy The results of the internationalization process at YSU can be noted in various areas related to, teaching and quality education, research and development of scientific and cultural contacts with international partners and, of course, promote international cooperation as such. The essence of internationalization is that it covers all the higher educational structure, combining interdisciplinary, multilevel and cross- cultural values. Implementation strategy for the integration of YSU is aimed at becoming an equal partner in European research and education space

International Cooperation and Internationalization Policy Currently YSU has 187 cooperation agreements with foreign partners – universities, institutes and research centers in 50 countries. Last year outgoing mobility: about 500, including about 160 student mobilities More than 7000 foreign students from 82 countries studied at YSU Yerevan State University is a member of: International Association of Universities, European Universities Association, Eurasian Universities Association, Black Sea Universities Network, AUF.

International Cooperation and Internationalization Policy Among our partners are: Arizona State University, University of California at Berkeley, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, George Mason University, University of Connecticut (USA); University of Rostock, University of Trier, Halle University (Germany); University of Bologna, University of Florence, University of Venice, Ca Foscari, (Italy); University of Warsaw (Poland); Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece); Moscow State University, Saint-Petersburg State University (RF); Donetsk National University (Ukraine); Montpellier I, Paul Valery (Montpellier III), Aix-Marseilles I, National Institute of Eastern Languages and Civilization Paris (France) and others.

Dr. Alexander Markarov Deputy Vice rector and Head International Cooperation Office Thank you!