The process of The process of internationalization at internationalization at

YSUYSU

Brief introduction to intenationalization policy and process at Armenia’s leading

institution of higher educationDr. Alexander Markarov

Deputy Vice Rector, Head of International Cooperation Office,

Yerevan State University

www.ysu.am

The content of the internationalization. Academic mobility, (students, staff, and

researchersDevelopment 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

1Positive 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.

2Multi-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

2003-2004

2004-2005

20052006

20062007

20072008

20082009

20092010

Europe 116 112 134 98 135 174 220

Africa 1 2 2 - - 1 1

North America

28 32 19 13 9 18 27

South America

2 - - 1 - 2 2

Asia 9 7 10 10 8 25 14

Total 156 153 165 122 152 220 264

Table 2. Student mobility at YSU 2004/05 – 2009/10 ac.years

Outgoing YSU’s student mobility

2004-2005

20052006

2006-2007

2007-2008

20082009

20092010

Europe 29 35 38 22 53 110

Africa 22 19 5 5 7

North America 5 4 5 8 2 13

Asia 12 15 4 3 14 39

Total 68 73 52 38 76 162

Key directions and priorities in the process of internationalization at YSU4Increased number of signed agreements

on cooperation, and, more important - increasing numbers in mobility are within the signed international agreements on scientific and educational cooperation.

5Development 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

20042005

20052006

20062007

2007-2008

2008-2009

20092010

Europe 75 76 72 93 101 123

Africa 1 2 2 2 2 2

North America 21 22 22 23 25 26

South America 3 3 3 3 3 3

Asia 6 7 7 11 11 18

Total 106 110 106 132 142 172

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 internationalizationGraduate 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 internationalizationIn 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 internationalizationArmenian 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 internationalizationStrong 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 experiencePositive 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 risksBrain drainPotential 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 aheadInternational 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 infrastructureYSU 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 policyThe 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 International Cooperation and Internationalization and Internationalization PolicyPolicyCurrently 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 International Cooperation and Internationalization and Internationalization PolicyPolicyAmong 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 MarkarovDr. Alexander MarkarovDeputy Vice rector Deputy Vice rector and Head International Cooperation and Head International Cooperation OfficeOffice

Email: amarkarov@ysu.am Email: amarkarov@ysu.am

Thank you!