Khachatur Abovian

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KHACHATUR ABOVIAN

ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY KHACHATUR ABOVIAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

KHACHATUR ABOVIAN

ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the foundation of the Pedagogical University

“Mankavarzh” Publishing House Yerevan 2012 Concert of the Armenian State Chamber Orchestra at the diploma awarding ceremony at the Armenian Pedagogical University, graduation celebrations of 2011

À 283 Kh. Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University. - Yerevan. Kh. Abovian ASPU, 2012, p. 108

Compiled by Aelita Dolukhanyan, Ara Yeremyan, Mher Karapetyan Editor of the original version (in Armenian) Artashes Martirosyan Translators and editors of the version in English Shushanik Yavuryan, Tigran Mikayelyan Artistic design and layout by Aram Urutyan

The compilation comprises materials from the archives of the Museum of Kh. Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University.

ISBN 978-99941-69-31-3 © Kh. Abovian ASPU, 2012 CONTENTS

President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan’s congratulation message on the 90th anniversary of the foundation of Khachatur Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University ...... 6

Supreme Patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos H.H. Garegin II’s congratulation message on the 90th anniversary of the foundation of Khachatur Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University ...... 9

Invention of the Armenian Alphabet. Foundation of Illustrious Schools and Monastic Universities in Armenia in Middle Ages ...... 13

Education from the end of the 19th to the beginning of the 20th century in the Eastern and Western Parts of Armenia ...... 25

Foundation of the Pedagogical University and the early activities developed (1922 1940) ...... 31

Participation of the Pedagogical University in the Great Patriotic War (1941 1945) ...... 47

Pedagogical University between the postwar period and the declaration of Independence (1945 1990) ...... 55

Pedagogical University’s participation in the Heroic War for Artsakh (1991 1994) ...... 73

Pedagogical University since the 1990s till nowadays ...... 81

Distinguished Alumni of the Pedagogical University ...... 104

5 President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan’s

message on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of foundation of Kh. Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University

6 President of the Republic of Armenia

Yerevan, August 28, 2012

ON THE OCCASION OF THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDATION OF KHACHATUR ABOVIAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the foundation of the Armenian State Pedagogical University after Khachatur Abovian I extend my warmest wishes to the Administration, Professors, Students, graduates and the whole Staff of the University. For decades the Pedagogical University has been one of the most significant centres of higher education in our Country, as the formation and progress of the Educational System of the Republic is unthinkable without this University. Together with its irreplaceable mission of the major teacher training cradle, the University has also proved to be a dais for pedagogical and psychological sciences and keeps maintaining its traditions alive. Reiterating my congratulations on the occasion of this delightful anniversary, I wish the University could promptly and efficiently accom- plish the ongoing reforms. At the same time I wish everlasting achievements as the new attainments will motivate as well the upsurge of the scientific and educational level in the Republic of Armenia, which is the final imperative and priority that we all share.

SERZH SARGSYAN

7 8 Congratulation Message by the Supreme Patriarch, Catholicos of All Armenians, H. H. Garegin II

9 THE BENEDICTION MESSAGE OF THE SUPREME PATRIARCH, CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS, H. H. GAREGIN II ADDRESSED ON THE OCCASION OF THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDATION OF KH. ABOVIAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY (Yerevan, 2012)

Honourable Mr. Ruben Mirzakhanyan, Respectable Professors, dear Colleagues and Students, We convey our greetings and benediction from the Mother See Holy Echmiadzin on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the foundation of Kh. Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University. This memorable anniversary is a beautiful opportunity to value the considerable merit of this education centre in the lives of our people and country, as well as to memorize with appreciation those sons of our Nation who have invested their efforts and devotion in the foundation, development and long-time effective activities of the University. The establishment of the Pedagogical University proceeded under extremely rough historical circumstances. Our Nation that had survived the Genocide was obliged to strive in order to rebuild their Motherland in a small territory of the Eastern part of Armenia already ruined because of

10 long-lasting wars and exhausted due to numerous economic and social problems. Despite all the privations, as it had been in the course of the whole history, in that period as well the devotion of Armenians to science and education did not fade. In 1922, though with limited possibilities, however with great visions the Pedagogical University was founded bringing about new hope to the resuscitating Armenian life. Among the professors who founded the Pedagogical University there were graduates of Gevorgian Theological Seminary Professors Mr.Arshavir Shavarshyan and Mr. Arakel Arakelyan. Further on, in the course of decades among numerous eminent specialists who delivered lectures at the University there were Academicians Mr. Ararat Gharibyan, Gurgen Sevak, scholars Ashot Abrahamyan, Vagharshak Kosyan, Petros Bediryan and others. They educated various generations of tal- ented pedagogues who endowed their lives with sup- portive spirit on the consecrated mission of teaching and educating the Sons of their Nation. Our Nation has always expressed a deep reverence towards the Teacher, and that esteem actually is also an express evaluation of the decades of the thankworthy activities developed at the Pedagogical University.

Our Dear Sons and Daughters, On the occasion of the anniversary we extend from our cherished sanc- torium Mother See Holy Echmiadzin our congratulations and best wishes to Rector Mr. Ruben Mirzakhanyan, the honourable teaching staff, as well as to the administration, graduates and students of the academia. We wish you to be bestowed by Omnipresent God and let all your efforts be under His daily blessings granting you with the same vigour, the same affectionate spirit towards your Motherland and Church for the sake of further consolidation and prosperity of your prominent academe. Let Supreme God uphold under his blessing the Armenian State Pedagogical University after Kh. Abovian in order to provide our Country and Armenians dispersed all over the World with copious and upright yields!

Let you be under the support of God, be granted with strength by Holy Spirit and be eternally blessed by Lord and by Us!

With blessings, GAREGIN II CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS

INVENTION OF THE ARMENIAN ALPHABET

FOUNDATION OF ILLUSTRIOUS SCHOOLS AND MONASTIC UNIVERSITIES IN ARMENIA IN MIDDLE AGES KHACHATUR ABOVIAN INVENTION OF THE ARMENIAN ALPHABET ASPU

he new Armenian vigour revived due to the redeeming ambit of the invention of the Armenian Alphabet. Both the religious and secular authorities were looking for modes to enliven the national spiritsT and morale, as they did believe that only the national language and faith could impede the assimilation policy imposed by the Persians and Byzantines. Thus, among the major vocations brought about were as follows: to invent a new alphabet, to translate the primary Christian Scriptures, specifically the Old and New Testaments, preaching the New Religion to the Armenian Christians in their national language, making the humanistic essence of that religion much more explicit and eventually heading for a new unity. The invention of the Armenian alphabet brought together three brilliant figures Mesrop Mashtots, Sahak Partev and King Vramshapuh. The idea was achievable only due to the devoted cooperation between the Armenian State and the Armenian Church. Though the event was detailed by a considerable number of Historians, the genuinely initial source is “Life and Deeds of Mashtots” by Archimandrite, highly educated scholar Koryun. Koryun was among Mashtots’ disciples, so he was well aware of the circumstance of the invention of the Armenian alphabet. In the Preface of his manuscript he refers to the Armenian letters as a divine gift and produces a narra- tive of utter inspiration on his Teacher’s life, deeds and the very fact of the invention of the Armenian alphabet. Mesrop Mashtots was born in 361 in Hatsekats village in the Province of Taron. The course of time has preserved only his father’s name - Vardan. He was educated at a Hellenic school where he showed an outstanding academic progress from the very beginning which gained for the young Student the career of Secretary at the Court of Armenian King Khosrov. He mastered the Greek, Persian, Assyrian, Georgian and Alanian languages. As Archimandrite Koryun witnesses, Mashtots began his career as a military man and only after retirement he could be received into the rank of clergy, become an Archimandrite and leave for Goghtan Province to preach Christianity. He chose Goghtan as the first target of his spiritual mission, as that Armenian province had developed relatively more feeble Inventor of the Armenian Alphabet St. Mesrop Mashtots (361440). Christian bases showing still certain dependability from the traditions of the pagan rite. Mesrop Mashots sermonized in Armenian using his own oral translation of the Holy Scriptures. The reaction of the locals surpassed his expectations, as people who attended the Church began to do that with the authentic sense of love and understanding of the sacred dogma. Precisely in Goghtan Mashots conceives the idea to create a new alphabet and finds ardent supporters of the idea, namely, Sahak Partev and Armenian King Vramshapuh. The Armenian Sovereign learns that in Assyria lived Bishop Daniel who still had the Armenian letters, so he sends a messenger to fetch them. During the following two years Mesrop Mashots teaches using the letters obtained but without any success. Therefore together with a group of his students he sets off to visit the Mesopotamian cities of Amid, Samsat and Edessa, which back then were the cultural and scientific centres of the

14 FOUNDATION OF ILLUSTRIOUS SCHOOLS AND ASPU MONASTIC UNIVERSITIES IN ARMENIA IN MIDDLE AGES AFTER KHACHATUR ABOVYAN

Civilized World. As Koryun beholds, it was in Mesopotamia where Mesrop Mashots invented the Armenian alphabet. §Ö³Ý³ã»É ½ÇÙ³ëïáõÃÇõÝ »õ ½Ëñ³ï, ÇÙ³Ý³É ½μ³Ýë Ñ³Ý×³ñáÛ¦:

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” (Proverbs, 3:13) The first biblical statement translated using the letters invented by Mesrop Mashtots

The golden bejeweled Armenian alphabet created in 1967 by order of Catholicos of All Armenians, H.H. Vazgen I and kept at Mother See Holy Echmiadzin Treasury Museum. Designed and created by B. Arzumanyan and Zh. Chuloyan

15 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN INVENTION OF THE ARMENIAN ALPHABET ASPU

The Armenian alphabet inspired by blessed Mashtots decked the golden gates to the wide and luminous route leading to the immediate contact of the Armenian People with the achievements of the Civilized World, eluci- dating their past and promoting their traditions throughout the centuries to persist. Stirred with deep awareness of the bravery of his spirit, Mashtots brings the Armenian alphabet to Motherland, elated just like Biblical Prophet Moses while going down Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments. King Vramshapuh in Vagharshapat celebrates the invention of the alphabet with a great festivity. The celebration fervour was followed by practical enlightening activities. The major goal pursued was to edify as many people as it was possible from both civilians and militaries. In Vagharshapat the first Higher Education School was founded in order to prepare highly educated Archimandrites for all the Armenian territories. After some nego- tiations Mashtots could also convince the Byzantine Emperor to open schools in the Western Territories of Armenia. After the completion of the task with the Armenian alphabet Mashtots creates alphabets also for the neighbouring Georgian and Alanis to strengthen the Christian Alliance in the area. Mashtots died in 440 in Vagharshapat and, by the request of Armenian Hazarapet (Earl, Chieftain) Vahan Amatuni, Mashtots was buried in the King Vramshapuh Nobleman’s realm, more precisely, in Oshakan village. Nowadays the tomb of Mesrop Mashtots is sacredly preserved and worshiped among the most venerated pilgrimage sites of spiritual awakening. The invention of the Armenian alphabet marked the beginning of the flourishing period of Christian History in Armenia with exceptional cultural and literary advancement. The Literature of the 5th century progressed in two directions - national and translation-based.

The 5th century is marked in the History of the Armenian People as Golden Age highlighted due to the unprecedented spiritual ascendance. The Golden Age of the Armenian National Literature and Art of Illuminated Manuscripts kept developing in a variety of branches. First of all the Armenian Bibliography excelled in Historiography, Philosophy and Theology. The local enhancement was instigated by progressive formation of the traditions of translated literature. Therefore, the cultural heritage eternized by the Medieval Armenian Translation School is not just of national but also of global significance. The spiritual outburst of Golden Age inspired the foundation of schools next to the most prominent Monastic Complexes, where students received education either to serve for the Christian Rite or continue their worldly lives. The majority of the students, who received education for further activities beyond the religious context, belonged, of course, to the noble layer of the Armenian society. In his “Kanonagirk” (Code of Rules and Regulations) Sahak Partev Mesrop Mashtots and assumes considerable responsibilities for Teachers. He requires sound knowl- Sahak Partev edge, as well as proficient command and passion to transmit the knowledge Manuscript from Matenadaran, to their pupils. Sahak Partev, among other demands, laid emphasis on the dat.1533, 51a, Haymavurk, importance of absolute sense of patriotism to be educated from early child- 17251730, Echmiadzin. hood. Thus, these directives have served as guidelines for educational success- Manuscript illustrators Hakob and ful missions carried out by the most progressive educators - from Mashtots to Harutyun Hovnatanyan. Khachatur Abovian and till the representatives of the educational vanguard Sahak Partev (358439) nowadays.

16 FOUNDATION OF ILLUSTRIOUS SCHOOLS AND KHACHATUR ABOVIAN MONASTIC UNIVERSITIES IN ARMENIA IN MIDDLE AGES ASPU

The map of Historical Armenia according to Ananias of Shirak’s “World’s Cartography” (VII century):

Among the academic frontline of the 7th century was eminent Scholar Anania Shirakatsi (Ananias of Shirak). Ananias referred to the school he established and the disciples he gathered in his “Autobiography”, which is a unique literary-historical testimonial not only from the viewpoint of the Medieval Armenian Bibliography, but also from the perspectives of the studies on the Byzantine Educational System. In the Middle Ages in Armenia Anania Shirakatsi was famous as an Arithmetician (Mathematician), Calendar Calculator, Astronomer and Author. He studied Maths and Natural Sciences at Tukikos of Trabzon’s School and the considerable knowledge he returned allowed him to open his own school where the students, together with Theology, would study worldly sciences, and first of all - Maths. Ananias of Shirak considered maths to be the mother of all sciences, through the foundation of that school factually contributed to the efforts to develop that field of knowledge in Armenia. Renowned Armenian Historian, specialist of Byzantine and Armenian Studies Nikoghayos Adonts comments that Ananias of Shirak had the objec- tive to increase the level of the education in Armenia stepping up to the level of the education centres of the Byzantine Empire. Anania Shirakatsi (VII century)

17 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN INVENTION OF THE ARMENIAN ALPHABET ASPU

Monastic Complex of Narek (Province of Rshtuni Noble Family, Narek village): In the 10th century the fame of the monastic school of Narek was spreading quickly. Ananias of Narek was the Schoolmaster. The fame of this school grew even Gregory of Narek more due to the genius of Grigor (9511003) Narekatsi (Gregory of Narek), author of the famous poem “Book of Lamentations” and other outstanding creations. Ananias of Narek was an unequalled theologian, philosopher and author. His students studied not only the Armenian Christian Rite and Traditions through the Armenian manuscripts but also the literary, theological, scientific, philosophical heritage and achievements of the Ancient World. Book of Lamentations by The next figure of a prominent par- Gregory of Narek ticipation in the education system of Armenia is Grigor Magistros (Gregory Magister). This outstanding Armenian scholar and public activist of the 11th century could simultaneously be com- mitted to both the spiritual and worldly sciences. Famous French palaeogra- pher, Armenologist Victor Langlois claims that Gregory Magister was a distinctive scholar with extensive knowledge for his epoch. In the sphere of sciences and instruction Gregory Magister trained his students for further promotion of the Armenian sciences and art of manuscripts. He was the first head teacher to develop exemplary curricula for teaching Arithmetic, Geometry, Cosmology, Music, Philosophy and Art of Manuscripts and Palaeography at the Armenian schools. Gregory Magister (XI century)

18 FOUNDATION OF ILLUSTRIOUS SCHOOLS AND KHACHATUR ABOVIAN MONASTIC UNIVERSITIES IN ARMENIA IN MIDDLE AGES ASPU

Haghpat Monastic Complex (XI century)

The Armenian educational centre that marked a particular flourishing during the last quarter of the 11th century was Haghpat Monastic School, Haghpat Monastic Complex (XI century) The course outline at the school also contained a considerable number of subjects on Natural Sciences and encouraged detailed and sound knowledge.

From the manuscripts with the miniatures by From the miniatures by Toros Roslin (second half of the 13th century) Sargis Pitsak (XIV century) That educational centre as well prepared teachers and miniaturists and manuscript writers. Besides, the school took on the complicated mission of restor- ing and copying ancient manuscripts. One of the renowned Armenian scholars of that time Deacon Hovhannes Imastaser (John Philosopher) was the Head of that school. The period between the 12th and 14th centuries was marked with the flourishing of the Armenian Monastic Schools in Cilicia which hosted the peak of the development of the Armenian Art of Miniatures and Manuscripts, among the representatives of which were Toros Roslin. The manuscripts with the miniatures by Toros Roslin (second half of the 13th century) and Sargis Pitsak keep astonishing till now. Mekhitar Gosh (1120 1213)

19 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN INVENTION OF THE ARMENIAN ALPHABET ASPU

Goshavank (XII XIII cc.)

The fame of the “Congregations of the Black Mount” gained ground and became so popular in the territory of the Armenian Kingdome - famous as Mets Hayk (Greater Armenia) - that many Archimandrites left for Cilicia to get double degrees there. One of those scholars who went to Cilicia in search of deeper knowledge was Mekhitar Gosh, the famous author of Nerses Shnorhali “Datastanagirk” (“Code of Justice”) (Nerses Gifted) The Monarchs of the Armenian Kingdome of Cilicia Leo II Accomplisher (around 1100 1173) (Meritorious), as well as the elder heir of King Hethum I and his successor Leo III supported the flourishing of the schools next to the monasteries. The latter granted the education and Art of manuscripts with a special patronage. He sponsored such eminent scholars as Vardan Areveltsi, Stepanos Orbelian, Hovhannes Erznkatsi (John of Yerznka) and Vahram Deacon. Greatest Armenian poet Nerses Shnorhali (Nerses Gifted) played a crucial role in the educational life in the Armenian Kingdome of Cilicia. Nerses proved himself not only as an educator by vocation but also by his creative activities. It suffices quoting his educational-instructive vers- es introduced in alphabetical order. The lines read as follows: (written in Middle Armenian)

¶ÇÙÁ ·³ÝÓ¿ ù»½ μÇõñ μ³ñÇ, ¶ñ»Éáí ½ÇÙ³ëïë Ç ï³Ëï³ÏÇ, ¼Ý³ ³ñÏ Ç ùáÛ¹ å³ñ³ÝáóÇ, àñ å³ïáõ³Ï³Ý ¿ ù³Ý ½áëÏÇ:

G (§¶ÇÙ¦) stands for innumerable gems. So, once the meaning is on the plank, On your neck you may hang, As it is more precious than gold.

20 FOUNDATION OF ILLUSTRIOUS SCHOOLS AND KHACHATUR ABOVIAN MONASTIC UNIVERSITIES IN ARMENIA IN MIDDLE AGES ASPU

Gladzor University (XIII century)

The two most famous Armenian Universities - Gladzor and Tetev - had a special partaking in the educational life of Greater Armenia. The University of Gladzor is first mentioned in the Armenian manuscripts in 1291. It was founded next to the Tanadeh Monastery in the Province of Vayots Dzor by the initiative of Armenian Nobleman Prosh Khaghbakian and due to the support of Orbelyan Noble Family and the religious Patriarchate of the Province of Syunik. Over 20 deacon-teachers conducted their courses at this University. The studies lasted for 7 - 8 years. Among the University Headmasters were Nerses

Tatev University (XIV century)

21 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN INVENTION OF THE ARMENIAN ALPHABET ASPU

Mushetsi, Isaiah Nshetsi, Hovhan (John) Vorotnetsi. The major specializa- tions of the University were the Arts and Sciences which made it possible to include this University among the European educational centres. The University students were cultured and knowledgeable, they were well aware of the theses and tracts by Aristotle, Porphyry of Tyre, Philo of Alexandria, Eznik Koghbatsi, Davit Anhaght (David the Invincible) and Dionysus the Ariopagite and the relevant commentaries of their works. The Gladzor University was of national significance for whole Armenia, as disciples of different parts of the world - Armenian Cilicia and different Armenian communities spread elsewhere - were coming to study there. The University at Tatev Monastery was also a famed educational centre established and initially run by Hovhan Vorotnetsi. The first documented indication of its existence dates back to 1390. This Academy worked till 1435. The number of the members of monastic staff was once 1000. Right before his death Hovhan Vorotnetsi proclaimed one of his pupils Grigor Tatevatsi (Gregory of Tatev) as his successor to head the University. Grigor Tatevatsi assumed a progressive curriculum development and complet- ed the task successfully. He created series of instructive manuals and educational volumes on arts, theology and Armenian Church Dogma and Regulations which are still valuable. The University had remarkable library with impressive collection of over 140 tomes of manuscripts which are actually kept at the depository, museum and institute of ancient manuscripts Matenadaran (Yerevan, Armenia). The University was a cradle of teachers, preachers, unique artists of manuscripts and miniatures and musicians. Another centre of Medieval Armenian Higher Education was established Grigor Tatevatsi at Amrdol Monastery of Baghesh. The resurgence of the glory of this school is linked to exceptional Armenian Barsegh Gavaretsi who was inspired to (13461409) reinstate the ancient traditions of the Armenian school practice and to start off a nationwide enlightenment mission through his students. In his apprais- al of the university and the mission assumed famous Armenian historian, writer and professor Leo (Arakel Babakhanyan) refers to it as “an utterly precious memorial to the Armenian cultural genius” . The regain of the fame of this school is claimed to be connected with Vardan Baghishetsi who left a considerable academic heritage of a list of records of the manuscripts and printed books of the famous repository of books of Amrdol and chronicles briefly covering the most prominent events of the Armenian History period between 1170 and 1657, as well as references and bibliographic lists and references of the most famed Armenian historians and the Armenian translations of foreign historians (between 5th and 17th centuries). The list contains names and works of historians whose works, though well- known, have not survived till nowadays. In 1610 the School of Great Desert in the Province of Syunik is founded. The establishment and further formation of the school was notably due to the efforts made by Archimandrite Poghos Mokatsi (Paul of Mokkh) and the notorious Armenian general of Shah Abbas of Persia Melik Haykazn who was later on, in 1629 inaugurated as Catholicos, Archimandrite Movses Syunetsi (Moses of Syunik). He became famous due to a considerable number of religious constructions ordered. The number of the members of the The ruins of the Amrdol Monastic Congregation of the Great Desert was over 300. The school was distin- School in Baghesh guished thanks to the works of the local artists of manuscripts, miniaturists and copyists.

22 FOUNDATION OF ILLUSTRIOUS SCHOOLS AND KHACHATUR ABOVIAN MONASTIC UNIVERSITIES IN ARMENIA IN MIDDLE AGES ASPU

Yeremiah (Jeremiah) Kyomurchean left the following lines describing the school: ¸åñ³ïáõÝù μ³ó»³É, Schools were established, Ø³ñ½³ñ³Ýù μ³Ý»³É, Seminaries were founded, ²ß³Ï»ñïù í³ñÅ»³É, Pupils were trained, ¸³ë³ïáõÝù Ñ³ëï»³É, Classes opened, ì³ñÅ³å»ïù Û³ñ·»³É, Teachers were respected, î¿É¿ïù ×áË³ó»³É, So flourishing was everything The Great Desert School in Syunik (XVII century) ÆÙ³ëïù Û³é³ç»³É, That the knowledge grew ¶ÇïáõÃÇõÝù ³×»³É, And the sciences progressed, À½ ßÝáñÑëÝ áñ ÓÁñ»³É... As a gift it was granted... Such prominent Armenian scholars as philologist Manuk Abeghyan and historian Leo, with the highest appreciation of the Great Desert School, refer to it as to a prototype of the Armenian Mekhitarist Congregation Academy in Venice. In the domain of the Armenian Academic System, Pedagogical Thought and Educational Philosophy a unique position is undoubtedly attributed to Khachatur Abovian.

Khachatur Abovian (1809-1848) spent six years (1830-1836) to complete his education at the University of Dorpat - back then one of the European universities of high recognition. The young man gained that unique opportunity to study there due to the founder of scientific mountaineering, explorer, Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Dorpat Friedrich Parrot, who, accompanied by Abovian, in September, 1829 was the first western explorer to climb the Biblical Mount Ararat. Once Abovian is back to Caucasus he opens an exemplary private boarding school in Tbilisi (Georgia). Afterwards he was nominated as assessor of the Armenian Schools of the province of Yerevan (Armenia). Abovian’s honour-role mission attained a real turnaround effect in the history of the Armenian School. Both Armenian and foreign contemporaries of Abovian asserted him to be a highly educated, indisputable humanist, erudite, broad-mind- ed person irrefutably dedicated to patriotic mission. Due to his prior education at Gevorgian Seminary in Echmiadzin and Nersisan School in Tbilisi Abovian possessed complete command of the Armenian History, Ancient and Medieval Armenian Literature, thus being aware of the unique contribution that his Nation had in the Human Civilization. He had a strong believe that Armenian People would be liberated from the outer yoke and would regain their national identity. For him that major aim of national prospect had one way of absolute priority - the national system of Khachatur Abovian education, particularly of higher level. His prospects assumed a higher edu- (1809 1848) cation centre for training educated and devoted teachers. Khachatur Abovian made all the possible efforts to harmonize the Armenian School with the advanced European standard level. The most important thing to be stated is that Abovian’s mission is still alive and it has perpetuated in the devotees of his vocation making his ideas and perspectives as tangible and novel as they used to be.

EDUCATION FROM THE END OF THE 19TH TO THE BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURY IN THE EASTERN AND WESTERN PARTS OF ARMENIA KHACHATUR ABOVIAN EDUCATION FROM THE END OF THE 19TH TO THE BEGINNING OF THE ASPU 20TH CENTURY IN THE EASTERN AND WESTERN PARTS OF ARMENIA

etween the second half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century the Armenian culture marked an unprecedented ascendance under the currently settled and sufficiently favourable circumstances.B That cultural increase was immediately connected with the rise of Nation identity spirit of the Armenian People, the recently occurred changes in the social and economic life, the decline and eventual dissolution of feudalism, gradual development of bourgeoisie, amplification and intensi- fication of economic, political and cultural links between Armenians and Russia, as well as European countries and nations, and, above all, with the growth of the Armenian national liberty movements. Neither the tyranny of the Turkish Sultan’s rule nor the oppressions of the Russian Tsar’s regime - both of them aimed at the coercion and persecution of colonized Nations - could impede the advancement of the creativity of the Armenian thought, which in due course resulted in substantial achievements in sciences, literature and arts, as well as in the sphere of enlightenment and education. At that time the major role in the Armenian culture was undoubtedly endorsed in favour of the School which under the conditions of the increase of general welfare and overpowering national self-consciousness made a considerable step forward starting from the 1870s in both Western and Eastern Parts of Armenia. One of the evident characteristics of the schooling of that period was that, unlike the previous experience of the development of school networks and educational systems focused at the most copious and sizeable Armenian colonies as Venice, Constantinople, Smyrna, Tbilisi, New Nakhijevan and elsewhere, the new phase shifted the concentration of attention towards Armenia. The Schooling in Eastern Armenia. In the 1860s and 1870s, as in the rest of the territory of the Russian Empire, in South Caucasus as well as the education system underwent certain reforms. The spirit of improvement in 1867 inspired Supreme Patriarch of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos of All Armenians, H.H. Georg IV to institute an instructive commission which prepared a special edict on opening schools in every village. In 1868 the Commission publicly stated the General Rules and Regulations for the Armenian parish and Church schools which imposed the responsibility of school administration on the elec- tive school board of trustees. On July 19, 1874 the administration of Russian Tsar announced additional regulations for the Armenian schools, according to which the Armenian schools were left under the patronage of the Church while the state inspection services were Gevorgyan Theological Seminary (1874): supposed merely the control of implementation of such obligatory curricular courses as those of the Russian language for every school and for higher levels of schooling - Geography and History of Russia in Russian. The parochial schools were beyond the control of that service. In order to regulate the activities at the Armenian schools in 1873 in every eparchy Catholicos Georg IV creates the position of college assessor. Eventually in 1874 under the initiative of Georg IV at Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin a theological seminary is founded, named in honour of

26 EDUCATION FROM THE END OF THE 19TH TO THE BEGINNING OF THE KHACHATUR ABOVIAN 20TH CENTURY IN THE EASTERN AND WESTERN PARTS OF ARMENIA ASPU

Catholicos himself and delivering their courses at both levels: as a eparchial school and higher lecturing levels, more precisely, as a three-year course of higher education. In 1880 the Eparchial School of New Nakhijevan is established. In 1881 the Teacher Training Seminary and Gymnasium (high school) was founded in Yerevan. One of the blocks of Yerevan State University (former building of the seminary-high school after renovations) According to the statistics in 1880 in Caucasus there were 830 state and private schools with 8092 Armenian students.

The building of Gevorgyan Seminary after the renovation works.

The East Armenian education progress reached its climax in August, 1882, more specifically, when in Tbilisi the first congress of Armenian teachers (First general forum of teachers) was assembled. The event was attended by 200 Armenian teachers from all over Caucasus, as well as by almost all the eminent educators of the time.

The schooling in Western Armenia. From the 1860s to 1870s was a crucial turnover period for the educational realm not only for the Western part of Armenia, surviving under the Turkish yoke, but also by the whole Ottoman Empire. Under the influence of Europe the regressive Turkish Empire was making attempts to regulate the enlightenment affairs, particularly, taking into consideration the fact that the national minorities, that had historically gained their autonomy in national school administration, were already marking incomparably more advanced results in education than Turks. The educational process in West Armenia had already recorded considerable progressions much earlier than it happens in the state sector. After the ratification of the National Constitution, the Education Council, elected in 1863 in Constantinople, a year later endorses the General Regulations for the

27 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN EDUCATION FROM THE END OF THE 19TH TO THE BEGINNING OF THE ASPU 20TH CENTURY IN THE EASTERN AND WESTERN PARTS OF ARMENIA

improvement of national schools developed by S. Papazian. The regulations comprised two level schools: preschool (elementary) and secondary. There were two types of lectorum (classes) at preschool level: the one-year-long first level for teaching writing, reading, arithmetic and religion and the four-year- long second level for the main elementary curricula. The school administration was performed by the Board of Trustees elected by the district councils.

In 1876 in Constantinople National Kedronakan School was established. In 1878 in Van the Yeremian school was founded and in 1881 in Erzrum - the Sanasarian school.

A series of Armenian schools were instituted also in the Armenian communities in France, Bulgaria, Romania, Egypt, America and elsewhere. One of the curious facts is that in 1855 in such distant corners of the world as Batavia (nowadays Jakarta) in Indonesia also the local Armenian community founded a school. The Murad-Rafaelian School established in Paris (France) in 1882 becomes noticeably renowned. Sanasarian School in Erzrum (1881)

The National Kedronakan School in The National Kedronakan School in Constantinople (1876) Constantinople today

In the second half of the 19th century series of such eminent Armenian pedagogues-theoreticians as Petros Shanshian, Ghazaros Aghayan, Rafael Patkanian, Perch Proshian, Sargis Beknazarian, Khoren Stepaneh, Matteos Mamurian, Sedrak Mandinian, Arakel Bahatrian, Retheos Perperian, Minas Cheraz, Isahak Haurtyunian, Hovhannes Ter-Mirakian, Hovhannes Hindlian, Anton Garagashian, Tigran Ralmatchian, Gurgen Edilian, Stepan Lisitsian, as well as the Armenian precursors of preschool education Sofya Babayan, Gayaneh Hovhannisyan and others appear on the horizon. The Armenian pedagogical thought was prominently instigated due to the sequence of publications on education and teaching. Among the periodicals published back then were “Dprots” (“School”), “Mankavarzhakan Tert” (“Pedagogical Paper”), “Varzharan” (“Training school”), “Mankavarzhanots” (“Teacher Training”), “Tsaghik Mankants” (“Children’s Flower”), “Haykakan Ashkharh” (“The Armenian World”), “Masis”. The development of the Armenian school and the cultural advancement of Armenians in general always and everywhere provoked a fierce confrontation of the Sultan’s administration in the Turkish Empire and Tsar’s government in the Russian Empire. There were also Armenian elementary schools in the eparchies of the Armenian Church in Georgia and Imeretia, Karabagh, Shamakh, Atropatene (Iran), Crimea, New Nakhijevan.

28 EDUCATION FROM THE END OF THE 19TH TO THE BEGINNING OF THE KHACHATUR ABOVIAN 20TH CENTURY IN THE EASTERN AND WESTERN PARTS OF ARMENIA ASPU

Nikoghayos Marr Hakob Manandian Nikoghayos Adonts Yervand Lalayan (1865 1934). (1873 1952). (1871 1942). ( 1864 1931).

Hovsep Orbeli Hrachya Acharian Manuk Abeghyan Leo (1887 1961). (1876 1953). (1865 1944). (1860 1932).

At the beginning of the 20th century a considerable number of scholars, armenologists Hrachya Acharian, Manuk Abeghian, Leo, Hakob Manandian, Nikoghayos Adonts, Yervand Lalayan, Nikoghayos Marr, Hovsep Orbeli, Stepan Malkhasiants, Arsen Terterian and others began developing scientific and pedagogical activities. The beginning of the 20th century also marked obvious rise of liveliness in the life of the Armenian school causing considerable changes in the sphere of general pedagogy. In 1907 the teaching staff of East Armenia brought together the most progressive part of educators to constitute the “Association of the Armenian Male and Female Teachers in Caucasus”, which made their ideas circulate through the special periodical “Nor Dprots” (“New School”) The teacher training which was published between 1908 and 1914. seminaryhigh school The periodicals publishing on the major educational issues in West in Yerevan Armenia were “Usumnaran” (“College”), “Hay Usanogh” (“Armenian Student”), “Luys” (“Light”) and “Hay Dprots” (“Armenian School”). The World War I causes numerous losses to the Armenian school system, however it could not make the Armenians refuse to maintain the School. A typical episode that might be of obvious evidence for the determination of Armenians as for the significance of education was the resistance of the Armenian refugees of Musa Dagh (Moses Mount), while who defending themselves from the massacres and persecutions of the Turkish government, once in safety in Port Said (Egypt) put up tents not only for temporary res- idence at the refugee camp but also for teaching literacy to children.

29 This statue of Khachatur Abovian was created by Andreas TerMarukyan in 1913. In 1924 while being transported to Yerevan it got lost and later on was installed at the central square of Batumi (Georgia) as a statue of an unknown revolutionary. In 1925 the statue was finally transported to Yerevan and installed at the square next to Moscow cinema house, after which the square was renamed after Khachatur Abovian. During the following 14 years the statue was constantly being transported from place to place. Eventually, in 1950 because of the reconstruction of Abovian street the statue was removed from the square next to the cinema house and appeared in the neighbourhood of Tsitsernakaberd stony hills. Finally, in 1964 a decision was made to install the statue in the yard of Khachatur Abovian’s House Museum.

30 FOUNDATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY AND THE EARLY ACTIVITIES DEVELOPED

(between 1922 and 1940) KHACHATUR ABOVIAN FOUNDATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY ASPU AND THE EARLY ACTIVITIES DEVELOPED

September 30, 1922 the Council of the Popular Committee for Enlightenment of the Soviet Socialist n Republic of Armenia made the decision of founding the OPedagogical Institute on the bases of the Faculty of Pedagogy of the Yerevan State University. Experienced educator Arshavir Shavarshian was named the first Rector of the newly-established educational centre.

Head of the Chair of General On October 15, 1922 Council of the Popular Committee for Pedagogy, Professor Arshavir Enlightenment of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Armenia approved the th Shavarshian (first row, 4 from budgets and the time table of the Pedagogical University for both terms. the left) and Dean of the Faculty of On November 7, 1922 the inaugural ceremony of Armenian State Geography Babken Mitarjian Pedagogical Institute was held in Yerevan. In 20 days in the building of for- (first row, 3rd from the left) with a mer Hripsimean Gymnasium-school the lessons of the new higher education group of graduates. centre began.

The announcement about the beginning of the first term of the academic year at the Pedagogical University on November 27, 1922 in the former Hripsimean School.

32 FOUNDATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY KHACHATUR ABOVIAN AND THE EARLY ACTIVITIES DEVELOPED ASPU

The building of Hripsimean School

From the very beginning, more precisely starting from November 1, 1922, various scholars and educators of nationwide credit and fame were invited to teach at the Armenian State Pedagogical University, and among them were Arsen Terterian, Drastamat Ter-Simonian, Tigran Musheghian, Hayk Azatian, Grigor Chubarian, Stepan Nersisian, Karapet Melik-Ohanjanian, Bahatur Bahatrian, Romanos Melikian, Vahan Rshtuni and others. By October 1, 1923 the Pedagogical University had already recruited 24 professors.

Arsen Terterian (1882 - 1953) - Specialist in Literary Theory and Criticism, Doctor of Philological Sciences, Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Armenian SSR (1943), Scholar of merit (1940), Professor, Member of Association of Writers of the USSR (1934). Arsen Terterian

33 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN FOUNDATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY ASPU AND THE EARLY ACTIVITIES DEVELOPED

Drastamat Ter-Simonyan (1895 - 1937) - member of political party, state activist, journalist, publicist, victim of wrongful conviction and repres- sion, amnestied posthumously. In December, 1920 named Head of the People’s Commission for Enlightenment. In summer 1921 he was delegated as Commissioner for Emergency Situations in Zangezur (Armenia), later in 1928 - as Editor of the Armenian newspaper “Yerevan” (Paris, France), first President of the Armenian Union of Writers, Editor of “Nor Ughi” (“New Way”) journal, Head of the Municipal Council of Yerevan, etc. In 1932 he was named Editor-in-Chief of the Armenian Soviet Encyclopaedia.

Tigran Musheghyan (1886 - 1935) - Between 1933 and 1935 he was the Rector of Yerevan State University carrying out at the same time the responsibilities of the Chair of the Department of Natural Sciences of the Institute of Marxism and Leninism of the Socialist Soviet Republic of Armenia. Musheghyan played a significant role in the development of academic curricula, syllabi and textbooks, as well as in teachers’ training.

Drastamat TerSimonyan Tigran Musheghyan Grigor Chubaryan Hayk Azatian

Grigor Chubaryan (1888 - 1962) Lawyer, publicist, outstanding scholar of the Socialist Soviet Republic of Armenia (1961). He guided the creation of a number of legal acts and codes, more particularly, the first Constitution of Soviet Armenia (1922), the Criminal Code and Land Code, formation of courts and juridical bodies, as well as other juridical, legal acts, coordinating also and publishing series of projects of laws. Between 1920 and 1937 taught at Yerevan State University: He was victim of persecutions and eventually was exiled and only after the amnesty he was back to work at Yerevan State University between 1957 and 1962.

Hayk Azatian (1881 - 1964) - First President of Trade Unions in the USSR, Vice President of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of USSR (Moscow, 1930-1931), Associate member of Academy of the Republic of Armenia.

Stepan Nersisian (1892 - 1965) - Skilful educator, person of firm principles, encyclopaedic knowledge, sound scientific perspectives and logic, extreme modesty and care. He had a considerable contribution in preparing and developing historians.

Karapet Melik-Ohanjanian (1893 - 1970) - Graduate of Lazarian Institute of Eastern Languages in Moscow (1911 - 1914), as a free student

34 FOUNDATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY KHACHATUR ABOVIAN AND THE EARLY ACTIVITIES DEVELOPED ASPU

Stepan Nersisian Karapet Bahatur Bahatrian MelikOhanjanian he attended courses and lectures at Berlin University (1915 - 1917), Honorary Doctor of Philological Sciences (1942), Professor (1935), Academician (1965). Honoured Man of Science of Armenian SSR (1962):

Bahatur Bahatrian (1872 - 1934) - began his educational activities in 1914. He worked at Echmiadzin Seminary as teacher of Physics and Mathematics (1914-1918), then moved to Yerevan and worked at different schools. In 1923 he was invited to work at Yerevan State University teaching first at Workers’ and Technical Faculties, then at the Section of Physics and Mathematics of Pedagogical Department. He taught Further Algebra, Romanos Melikian Theory of Numbers and Mathematical Analysis.

Romanos Melikian (1883 - 1935) - Between 1910 and 1914 he studied at Saint Petersburg Conservatoire. He created series of romances “Autumn lines”, “The Ballad”, the famous song of “Murik’s grieve”, elaborated and arranged six Armenian folklore songs. In 1920 in Tbilisi his first concert took place. In 1921 the Armenian Government invites him to Yerevan to found a music studio which eventually in 1923 grew into a conservatoire. He was first to promote the idea about concentrating the whole musical heritage of Komitas in Armenia. In 1928 he gives a final touch to and publishes the series of songs titled “Of Emerald”, as well as completes the set of songs “Zar-var” and two sets of musical compositions for youngsters (“Songs Romanos Melikian with renowned for Children” and “Pioneer Songs”). Armenian Poet Avetik Isahakian and Artist Martiros Sarian Vahan Rshtuni (1903-1970) - Author of major works on the modern and contemporary pages of the Armenian History, as well as on the history of the Armenian social movements and peasant movements and uprising in the 19th century. Doctor in History, Professor (1944), Associate Member of Academy of Science of the Republic of Armenia Vahan Rshtuni (1956).

35 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN FOUNDATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY ASPU AND THE EARLY ACTIVITIES DEVELOPED

32 students entered the University - 17 girls and 15 boys.

The list of the first academic records of attendance and scores. It contains the scores of the first year students of the academic year 1922 1923.

36 FOUNDATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY KHACHATUR ABOVIAN AND THE EARLY ACTIVITIES DEVELOPED ASPU

The Curriculum Board with the List of Subjects taught at Yerevan Pedagogical Institute in 1923.

The newly created Institute had only one Faculty, the Faculty of Philology with sections of preschool education, school education and extracurricular education. It had been predetermined that the Institute was going to provide only one year courses. However, the beginning of the courses proved that the duration predefined was not enough in order to cover and assimilate the whole curriculum.

In January, 1923 a decision was made to prolong the education for a year more due to amplification and completion of the academic programme. At the end of the term even the previously determined two-year long course did not suffice to complete the whole degree outcomes. On September 22, 1923 the collegial session of the People’s Commissariat for Education (chaired by Askanaz Mravian and attended by Head of the Pedagogical Institute Arshavir Shavarshian), taking into consid-

37 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN FOUNDATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY ASPU AND THE EARLY ACTIVITIES DEVELOPED

eration the Russian experience, made a decision to design the syllabus of pedagogical studies for three years. The first two years provided general or background knowledge and the last year was aimed at the speciality subjects, comprising school methodology and internship.

The first graduates of the History Section of the Pedagogical Faculty From 1925 the independent educational activities of the Pedagogical (1925). Institute were stopped temporarily. By the decision of state authorities the Institute merged with Yerevan State University becoming a section of the Faculty of Social Sciences. At that time the Faculty hosted 51 students from the Pedagogical Institute, as well as newly recruited students. The teaching staff of the Pedagogical Institute continued their activities within the Yerevan State University.

By another decision made by the collegial meeting of the Commissariat of Education held on September 21, 1927 the “Pedagogical” section was re- established as a separate faculty at Yerevan State University with a new head of the Department for academic and methodological affairs and deputy head of the Commissariat of Education Mushegh Santrosian.

In 1930 in the context of the reforms initiated in the sphere of education in the USSR and Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic

38 FOUNDATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY KHACHATUR ABOVIAN AND THE EARLY ACTIVITIES DEVELOPED ASPU

The first graduates of “Biology” Section of the Pedagogical Faculty (1928).

Yerevan State University as well underwent certain restructuring which caused the separation of the Pedagogical Institute and its reformation into the Pedagogical Institute. The decision was in fact serious and derived immediately from public interests.

The first graduates of the Section of Physics and Mathematics of the Pedagogical Faculty (1929).

39 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN FOUNDATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY ASPU AND THE EARLY ACTIVITIES DEVELOPED

The directive issued on July 3, 1930 determined the administrative and economic staff of the Institute which involved 30 people. Mushegh Santrosian was named Director of the Institute (between 1930 and 1931, between 1934 and 1937). Later on the direction of the Institute was assumed by Sahak Sairapetian (1931 - 1933), Saribek Budumian (1937 - 1938), Samvel Petrosian (1938 - 1941), and Aslan Melkonian (1941 - 1944).

Mushegh Santrosian was the Director of the Pedagogical Institute twice (between 1930 and1931 and between 1934 and 1937).

According to the collegial decision made by the Commissariat of Education on July 5, 1930 the Pedagogical Institute should have Faculties of “Language and Literature”, “History and Economics”, “Geography”, “Physics and Technologies”, “Infants’ Studies”, “Pedagogy” and “Biology and Chemistry”. Between 1930 and 1933 the faculties, sections, as well as the professional specialties underwent a great variety of changes. In the academic year 1930/1931 the Institute already had 5 faculties with 659 students. Within the Faculties new Mushegh Santrosian Sahak Hairapetian chairs were created. The number of the chairs of specialisa- tions in the same academic year was 16.

Sahak Hairapetian was the Director of the Pedagogical Institute between 1931 and 1933.

The academic year 1931/1932 marked the reformation of the Institute into the Industrial- Agrarian Pedagogical Institute. Due to the new specialities the faculties were restructured as well and new education units and sections were eventually opened. The year 1933 was another year of overall reforms in the USSR, particularly, in the sphere of higher education. All the higher education centres which once restructured into Institutes (1930) regained their university status. The Armenian Pedagogical Institute again became the Pedagogical faculty of Yerevan State University. In one year by the decision made by the Central Committee of the Central Communist Labour Party of Armenia on July 13, 1934 the Faculty of Pedagogy was separated and reopened as autonomous Pedagogical Institute. To serve the needs and provide the newly created Institute with appropriate space to work a new building was granted at Khanjyan street, number 5.

Thus, after a short pause Yerevan State Pedagogical Institute restarted its independent The new building of the activities which have been maintained autonomous Pedagogical Institute, since then. Khanjyan street 5 (1934):

40 FOUNDATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY KHACHATUR ABOVIAN AND THE EARLY ACTIVITIES DEVELOPED ASPU

Mushegh Santrosian was again named director of the Institute. The oldest faculty of the Institute - the Faculty of Pedagogy - began its academic activities from the very beginning of the foundation of the Institute and cov- ered a prolific route of development. In the 1930s Professors Araxia Hunanian and A. Mazmanian assumed the responsibilities of the Dean of the Faculty. The Faculty of Pedagogy and the Chairs within it established strong bonds with the schools providing the school teaching staff with a considerable assistance. Great number of scientists, Doctors of science, Professors

Gurgen Edilian

The Diploma of Doctor of Philosophy granted to Gurgen Edilian in 1909 in Berlin. and renowned teachers worked at the Faculty of Pedagogy. The Chair of Pedagogy as well is the oldest chair of the University. Professors Gurgen Edilian, Arshavir Shavarshian, Hrachia Shavarshian, Mushegh Santrosian, who headed the Chair of Pedagogy in different periods of time, played a significant role in the professional development, enhancement and progress of professionals, experts and scholars of the sphere.

41 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN FOUNDATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY ASPU AND THE EARLY ACTIVITIES DEVELOPED

One of the oldest and leading Faculties of the University is the Faculty of History. The faculty has changed and altered its names and structures sev- eral times obtaining a variety of statuses as an educational and administra-

Head of the Chair of Pedagogy tive unit: as a separate Faculty of the Pedagogical Institute, as a subdivision H. Karamian with a group of of the pedagogical section of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities professors. In the first row: Telemak of Yerevan State University, as a section of the Faculty of Pedagogy of Vardumian, Astghik Mazmanian, Yerevan State University, etc. Consequently, the Faculties of History of the Hrachik Karamian, Araxia Pedagogical University and Yerevan State University have shared periods of Hunanian, Seda Mirzoyan. In the evolution and professional growth. Exactly that is why such prominent schol- second row: Artavazd Ignatian, ars of Armenian Studies as Hakob Manandian, Manuk Abeghian, Hrachia Roza Matinian, Boris Anzhelov and Acharian, Leo, Arsen Terterian and others are equally mentioned among the Nerses Sargsian. names of the founders and pillars of both Yerevan State University and Armenian State Pedagogical University.

Students at an archaeological site Dean of the Faculty of History of the Pedagogical Institute Suren Hakobian (the first one from the left) testing a student.

42 FOUNDATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY KHACHATUR ABOVIAN AND THE EARLY ACTIVITIES DEVELOPED ASPU

A group of professors of the Chair of the History of Armenian People (from the left to the right (first line, seated) Hmayak Avetisian, Suren Hakobian, Shmavon Harutiunian, Suren Shlepchian, (second line, standing) Mher Karapetian, Frunzik Poghosian, Lida Petrosian, Rima Boyajian, Misha Hovsepian, Tachat Sahakian, Levon Shahinian, Ashot Arakelian.

The Faculty comprised the Chair of the USSR History, which also was one of the oldest chairs of the Institute. Until 1937 Professor V. Rshtuni was the head of the Chair followed by Professor Z. Grigorian who headed the Chair from 1938 to 1943.

The Chair of the History of Armenian People was founded in 1936. Hakob Zorian was first to chair it. In that period such famous scholars as Mkrtich Nersisian, Morus Hasratian, Haikaz Zhamkochian, Vardan Parsamian, Suren Yeremian and Karo Ghafadarian worked at the Chair.

The Chair of General History was founded in 1936, first as Chair of Middle Age History and later, from 1936 to 1938 as Chair of General History with Suren Nersisyan as the first Head of the Chair:

A group of students with Aghasi Nalbandyan in Zangezur.

43 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN FOUNDATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY ASPU AND THE EARLY ACTIVITIES DEVELOPED

In the academic year between 1935 and 1936 the fifth Faculty of the University was established - the Faculty of Geography which comprised the Chair of Geography - eventually, starting from 1938, separated into two different chairs - of Economic Geography (the first head of the chair was B.Charchyan (1938 - 1941)) and Physical Geography (with Aghasi Nalbandyan as the first head of the chair between 1938 and 1943).

At a session of the Scientific Council of the Pedagogical Institute (from the left to the right) Sahak Karapetyan, Mnatsakan Badalyan, Vacheh Partizuni, Vagharshak Parsamyan, Aram Tovmasyan, Vardan Vardanyan, Artashes Poghosyan, Mkrtich Mazmanyan).

The Philological Faculty (initially Faculty of Languages) is one of the leading departments of the Institute, which was finally formed in 1934 and has always been properly represented in the Scientific Council of the University.

In 1931 due to the efforts of eminent and outstanding scholar, eventually Academician Ararat Gharibyan the Chairs of the Armenian language and An exam at the Faculty of Russian Language were founded. In 1932 the Chair of Foreign Languages Mathematics (from the right was established. The first Head of the Chair of Armenian was Ararat we can see Professor Gharibyan himself. In the course of time the chair began offering gradually Vahan Yeghiazaryan).

State graduation exam at the Faculty of Biology and Chemistry.

44 FOUNDATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY KHACHATUR ABOVIAN AND THE EARLY ACTIVITIES DEVELOPED ASPU more subjects including “Modern Armenian”, “Old Armenian/Grabar”, “History of Armenian”, “Armenian Dialectology”, “Methodology of Teaching Armenian”, etc. By the mid 1930s on the basis of the mixed chair of Literature the chairs of the Armenian Literature and Foreign and Russian Literature were founded. In 1939 renowned expert of the Theory of Literature Arshaluys Babayan became head of the Chair of the Armenian Literature. As for the chair of Foreign Literature it was headed by such celebrated scholars as Simon Hakobyan and Soghomon Soghomonyan (in 1936). Russet Hovhannisyan head the Chair of the History of Russian Literature. The chairs of the Russian Language and Foreign Languages were correspondingly headed by N. Khojanetyan (between 1934 and 1942) and Hovsep Gedoyan (1936-1953). The Faculty of Physics and Mathematics as well was finally formed in 1934 with Levon Semyonov as the first dean of the Faculty who in 1936 was succeeded by Levon Berberyan (till 1952):

Director of the Pedagogical Institute Saribek Budumyan (1937 - 1938).

Director of the Pedagogical Institute Samvel Petrosyan (1938 - 1941).

In the academic year between 1939 and 1940 next to the Philological Faculty the Department of Preschool education was established with first 28 students.

Saribek Budumyan The Faculty of Biology and Chemistry was Samvel Petrosyan established in the academic year between 1938 and 1939, but still incomplete was unfortunately closed in 1941 and was reopened again only after the Great Patriotic War.

On the threshold of the Great Patriotic War, more precisely in 1940, the Armenian State Pedagogical Institute of Yerevan was one of the major educational centres in Armenia.

The first professors of the Chair of Preschool Pedagogy.

PARTICIPATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY IN THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR

(1941 - 1945) KHACHATUR ABOVIAN PARTICIPATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY ASPU IN THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR

uring the years of the Great Patriotic War the Armenian Pedagogical Institute faced new problems. At the beginning of the War the recruitment of students proceeded under grave andD tense circumstances, as both the industry and army were in need of specialists, and the school needed new teaching staff to substitute all those who had gone to the war.

Director of the Pedagogical Institute Aslan Melkonyan (1941 - 1944).

In the academic year between 1940 and 1941 the Faculties of Preschool Education and Natural Sciences were closed. Because of the considerable number of people who joined the army the number of students reduced dras- tically. The same academic year (1940-1941) 210 students were supposed to graduate but, due to the current needs, 304 third-year students went to work with certificates about incomplete higher education. During the next 5 years the number of students ranged between 70 and 80. The academic plans, curricula and syllabi were revised in accordance Aslan Melkonyan with the current needs of the war time, particularly requiring more intensive courses for training specialists of different specialties. The working regime of the education centres was altered as well. The revision of the curricula caused also the reduction of academic workload and

Professor of the Institute Arsen Minasyan (the second one form the left) before the battle (1943):

48 PARTICIPATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY KHACHATUR ABOVIAN IN THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR ASPU contact lessons. The students’ weekly workload at the Institute was reduced to 42-48 hours. The duration of the studies was reduced from 4 to 3 years. Correspondingly, the number of the exams and summer vacations were reduced as well. In the course of the toughest years of the war in the academic year between 1941 and 1942 the Chair Military Studies was founded in the Institute. The laboratories of Physics began to be used for the military objectives.

During the same academic year the schools of nurses and experts in radio communication were established locally. The Institute provided group train- ings for artillery and other military specialties for students.

Between 1941 and 1945 hundreds of students of the Institute, including the graduates, took part in the Great Patriotic War, mainly within the offi- cers.

From the very first year many professors and teachers of the Institute Academician went to the battle front. Among them were Soghomon Soghomonyan, Aram Sergey Hambardzumyan Ghazaryan, Hakob Vardanyan, Hamazasp Khushoyan, Aghasi Chilingaryan, Levon Berberyan, Levon Vatyan, Samvel Petrosyan, Levon Varduni and others. The future Rectors of the Institutes Musayel Kocharyan and Haykaz Poghosyan also took part in the Great Patriotic War.

Professor of the Institute Ashot Telunts (the third one from the left) with his military friends.

Professor of the Institute Suren Hakobyan (seated, the fifth one from the left), 1945.

Among the graduates who distinguished during the War by their heroic courage and valour were majors Hrant Simonyan and Aramayis Sahakyan,

49 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN PARTICIPATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY ASPU IN THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR

captains Gurgen Hovhannisyan and Martiros Gharagyozyan, Anik Kharatyan, Ashot Belubekyan, Hamazasp Khushoyan, Babken Nahapetyan, Yeghisheh Mkhitaryan and others.

Professor of the Philological Faculty Vacheh Partizuni (third row, the fourth one from the left).

Many of them survived to share the joy of the victory while others passed away for the sake of the Motherland.

Institute graduate, Hero of the Soviet Union, General Ashot Amatuni before the next tank attack, 1944 (first from the left)

50 PARTICIPATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY KHACHATUR ABOVIAN IN THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR ASPU

Those who sacrificed their lives as Heroes:

Aghajanyan Vagharshak (1915 - 1942)

Avetisyan Davit (1913 - 1941)

Avetisyan Napoleon (1923 - 1944)

Apyan Samson (1924 - 1942)

Baghdasaryan Artashes (1905 - 1942)

Gyulumyan Gurgen (1912 - 1945)

Daghbalyan Sergo (1920 - 1942)

Davtyan Vacheh (1913 - 1942)

Tsatryan Harutyun (1923 - 1942)

Karapetyan Vardges (1908 - 1943)

Hakobyan Sos (1908 - 1945)

Hayrapetyan Khachik (1910 - 1942)

Hovhannisyan Avetik (1919 - 1942)

Hovhannisyan Grigor (1908 - 1943)

Hovhannisyan Aram (1919 - 1942)

Ghazaryan Aram (1910 - 1944)

Madatyan Mushegh (1923 - 1941)

Manucharyan Grigor (1911 - 1943)

Mariamjanyan Vahram (1906 - 1942)

Machkalyan Sirush (1919 - 1943)

Mkrtchyan Gaspar (1920 - 1943)

Mkrtchyan Mkrtich (1924 - 1943)

Patvakanyan Rashid (1923 - 1943)

Petrosyan Hovhannes ( - 1942)

Poghosyan Papin (1916 - 1943)

Poghosyan Onik (1918 - 1943)

Sargsyan Kerovbeh (1911 - 1943)

Simonyan Movses (1916 - 1943)

Ordyan Rafik (1910 - 1944)

51 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN PARTICIPATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY ASPU IN THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR

Davit G. Avetisyan Artashes G. Baghdasaryan

Vache S. Davtyan Vardges M. Karapetyan

Sos K. Hakobyan Avetik V. Hovhannisyan

Aram H. Ghazaryan Mushegh V. Madatyan

52 PARTICIPATION OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY KHACHATUR ABOVIAN IN THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR ASPU

Sirush Sh. Machkalyan Vahram K. Mariamjanyan

Mkrtich S. Mkrtchyan Movses M. Simonyan

Starting from 1943 when a radical turning-point occurred in the course of Great Patriotic War the number of students and professors in the institute began to increase. Senior students weren’t called up for military service any longer. At the same time there appeared front-line soldiers in the first courses of the institute who were discharged from the army for being wounded or for the other reasons. After 1943 the previous duration of the study was restored.

In 1944 a new department of Physical Education was founded which separated in the autumn of 1945 as an autonomous institute.

During the Great Patriotic War, 1941 - 1945, the Institute had 380 graduates providing great service in the development of national education, science and culture.

53 The Statue of Khachatur Abovian in Abovian square ( sculptor Suren Stepanyan, architect Gevorg Tamanyan, 1950). PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY IN THE POSTWAR PERIOD AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

(1945 - 1990) KHACHATUR ABOVIAN PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD ASPU AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

September 23, 1948 according to the decision ¹ 1126 of the Council of Ministers of Armenian Soviet On Socialist Republic in connection with the 100th anniversary of the death of the great Armenian Enlightener and Educator, father of Armenian modern literature Khachatur Abovian the Institute was named Armenian State Pedagogical Institute.

September 23, 1948 decision № 1126 of the Council of Ministers of Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic

56 “Khachatur Abovian” Medal

Supreme Award of the Pedagogical University

57 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD ASPU AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

The history of the Pedagogical University is full of substantial changes which often brought to structural rearrangements. Each historical period imposed its specific problems. However all the efforts were aimed at providing qualified education for future teachers in the psychological, pedagogical and philosophical fields, humanities, exact and natural sciences, in the socio-cultural domain.

Vazgen Aghuzumtsyan - Director of the Pedagogical Institute (1944 - 1951)

During the post war years all the spheres of social life including pedagogical paid particular attention to the knowledge of psychology. It’s not acci- dental that in 1948- 1949 academic year the department of Psychology and Logic was founded in the Institute. Time dictated the need to prepare multi profile specialists. In 1951 after the unification of the faculty of History and Philology the linguistics faculty was established. The same year the faculty of

Vazgen Aghuzumtsyan

Martiros Saryan (1st from the left) and Rector Vardges Hamazaspyan in Pedagogical Institute

Prominent art workers during the meeting with Rector in Pedagogical Institute

58 PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD KHACHATUR ABOVIAN AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ASPU geography unifies with the department of natural sciences. In the academic year between 1956 -1957 the faculty prepared specialists in biology, chemistry, agriculture and geography. Prominent scholars Sahak Karapetyan, Kamsar Avetisyan,Vova Babayan, Vardan Sahakyan, Shavarsh and Vladislav Aghababyan and many others worked there.

Vardges Hamazaspyan - Director of the Pedagogical Institute (1951 - 1964)

In 1954-1955 the following faculties operated in the Institute:

Academician 1. History Sahak Karapetyan 2. Language and Literature 3. Physics and Mathematics 4. Geography 5. Natural Sciences 6. Preschool 7. Psychology and Logic

Ashot Abrahamyan testing a student

During that years 23 chairs operated in the Pedagogical Institute where 125 professors worked, 7 of them were Doctors of Sciences, 54-candidates of sciences. Nine of them had the academic rank of a professor, 36 were associate professors and 35 senior lecturers. In 1954-1955 academic year the Philology faculty was again reopened having 2 departments- language and literature. At the end of 1950s the bodies of governance of the Institute begin to pay great attention to the staff’s scientific works and their publication. At the same time the Institute starts to publish methodical manuals and textbooks.

59 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD ASPU AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

In 1958 - 1960 the works of such prominent scientists teaching at Pedagogical Institute as “A New group of Armenian dialects” by Ararat Gharibyan, “Grabar (Old Armenian) manual” by Ashot Abrahamyan, “Psychology manual “ by Mkrtich Mazmanyan etc. (38 pieces of work) were published. In 1959 - 1960 a new building was allocated to the Institute

In 1960 the Institute took part in the all- union exhibition presenting 18 scientific works, textbooks. Ten professors participated in the all- union exhibition.

Kamo Udumyan - Rector of the Pedagogical Institute (1964 - 1968)

During the tenure of Kamo Udumyan the Institute activities in the field of science acquired new quality. At that period serious attention was paid to the preparation of qualified specialists in History, Philology, Psychology, Pedagogy and Special Methodology. The Institute was granted the right of dissertations defense.

Kamo Udumyan’s address to the UN General Assembly

Mkrtich Mazmanyan with the group of professors of the chair

In 1966 a publishing and a printing house was established in the Institute

At the end of 1960 the Institute started to publish the large-circulation jounal ‘Mankavarzh’. At the same time the Institute worked out a teacher training plan and events agenda for the teachers of the Republic.

During those years new faculties were founded.

60 PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD KHACHATUR ABOVIAN AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ASPU

Academician Viktor Hambardzumyan speech to the Academician Academician astronomy teachers of rural schools Sergey Mergelyan Artashes Shahinyan

In 1967 on the basis of Physics and Mathematics faculty the faculties of Physics” and “Mathematics were founded which reunited in 1985 including new departments of Astrology, Theoretical Physics, Computer Science, Computational Technique in line with the requirements of that period.

Eminent and outstanding scholars Viktor Hambrdzumyan, Artashes Shahinyan, Sergey Mergelyan, Vanik Zakaryan, Norayr Arakelyan, professors Norayr Engibaryan, Hayk Ghazaryan and many others worked at the faculty.

Ashot Paremuzyan - Rector of the Pedagogical Institute (1968 - 1970).

Ashot Paremuzyan

Rector of the Pedagogical Institute Ashot Paremuzyan (2nd from the left) and professor Arshaluys Babayan (forth from the left) with the professors and students at the HouseMuseum of Khachatur Abovian

61 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD ASPU AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

In 1969 - 1970 the 9 storied building was handed over for exploitation.

In 1971 the faculty of Education and Arts was founded on the basis of former departments of Music and Fine Arts, the founder dean of which became experienced pedagogue, Honorary Worker of Culture of the Republic of Armenia, Professor Karlen Mirzakhanyan. Between 1960 and 1970 distinguished artists were invited to teach at the Institute: People’s Painters of the Republic of At the Trade Union Committee of the Pedagogical University

The dean of the faculty of Education and Arts Karlen Mirzakhanyan with a group of lecturers and students (2nd raw, third from the left)

62 PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD KHACHATUR ABOVIAN AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ASPU

Armenia Hovhannes Zardaryan, Eduard Issabekyan, Ghukas Chubaryan, Suren Stepanyan, Honorary Painters of the Republic of Armenia Levon Kojoyan, Ashot Melkonyan, Zakhar Khachatryan and others. The faculty of Arts and Cultural Studies was founded during the same period. The faculty of Education and Arts and faculty of Arts and Cultural Studies merged.

Hovhannes Zardaryan Ghukas Chubaryan and (first from the left) in the studio (1981) Artashes Qeshishyan

The statue of Mesrop Mashtots in front of Yerevan Matenadaran (author Ghukas Chubaryan)

63 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD ASPU AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

The building of the faculty of Philology

Musayel Kocharyan - Rector of the Pedagogical Institute (1970 - 1975)

In 1972 the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Institute was celebrated with great solem- nity. According to the decree of the Supreme Council of the USSR on that occasion the Pedagogical Institute was awarded an Order of the Red Banner of Labor. From 204 Pedagogical Institutes of the Musayel Kocharyan Soviet Union the Pedagogical Institute was the 7th to be honored with such a high government award.

In 1970-1980 renowned scholars Ashot Abrahamyan,Vache Partizuni, Arshaluys Babayan, Suren Hakobyan, Zaven Grigoryan, Mkrtich Mazmanyan, Emma Aleksandryan, Sahak Karapetyan, Levon Babayan, Vladislav Aghababyan, Levon Shahinyan and many others continued working at the Institute.

64 PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD KHACHATUR ABOVIAN AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ASPU

In 1974 scientific research works at the Institute were mainly carried out in the following fields:

1. Social Sciences 2. Pedagogy 3. General Psychology, Psychology of Elementary Education, History and Theory of Psychology 4. Mathematics Teaching Methodology 5. The Armenian , Russian and Foreign Languages Grammar 6. The History of the Armenian, Russian and Foreign Literature 7. Physics and Mathematical The Decree of the Supreme Council of the USSR Awarding Sciences Pedagogical Institute with an Order 8. Chemistry, Botany, Biology and of the Red Banner of Labor. (1972) Physiology 9. Fine Arts and Library Science

Between 1970 and 1980 an unprecedented rise of qualified specialists training in the sphere of arts was due to the presence of highly merited and respected teaching staff of the Institute.

From left to right Arman Manaryan, Frunze Dovlatyan, Yuri Yerznkyan and Henrik Malyan with the Students of Pedagogical Institute during the Parade

65 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD ASPU AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

Prominent masters worked at the Arts and Cultural Studies faculty: USSR and RA People’s Artists Henrik Malyan, Frunze Dovlatyan, Laert Vagharshyan, Sergey Israyelyan, Yuri Yerznkyan, Albert Yavuryan, Grigor Melik-Avagyan, Marat Marinosyan and many others. No other Institute had such a constellation of artists. The result was predictable. From that time and further on the students-graduates of these masters have been actively participating in a number of newly created films and theater performances.

Henrik Malyan (1934 - 1988) directed: “ Guys from the Army Band” (1960), “Triangle” (1967), “ We and our Mountains” (1969),” Father” (1972),”Nahapet” (1977),”A Piece of Sky” (1980), “A Drop of Honey” (1982)” feature films, Hovhannes Tumanyan’s “Fairy Tales” (1981), “Tribe Physiology” by Aghasi Ayvazyan short stories (2004), “ Train Stories “ by William Saroyan short stories, “Marriage” by Nikolay Gogol and many other performances that are admired by the audience.

Frunze Dovlatyan (1927 - 1997) is the director of such films as “Dima Gorin’s Career”, “Morning Trains”, “ Hello, that’s me”, “Saroyan broth- ers”, “Chronicle of Yerevan Days”, “Delivery” and many other feature films.

Students of the Directing department of Pedagogical Institute in Henrik Malyan’s Studio

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Albert Yavuryan (1934 - 2007) acted as a director of photography in more than thirty films including “Hello, that’s Me” (State Award 1965), “The Mechanics of Happiness” (State Award 1983), “Ashik Kerib” (Nika Award 1984), “ Chronicle of Yerevan Days”, “Delivery”,” Live Long”,” A Lonely Nut-tree” and many others. He worked with many prominent directors: Frunze Dovlatyan, Grigor Melik-Avagyan, Nerses Hovhannisyan, and Dmitri Kesayants. Starting from 1977 Albert Yavuryan began to work at Khachatur Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical Institute . Since 1977 and up to the last days of his life professor Albert Yavuryan was the head of the Film Photography and Camera Operating Chair at the faculty of Arts and Cultural Studies. Albert Yavuryan was awarded numerous state awards and orders: “Movses Khorenatsi” medal (1997), the highest award of the Tekeyan Albert Yavuryan Cultural Center the order “Brilliant Ararat”. The 60s and 70s are marked as the period of rapid development of Armenian cinematography and television. In this respect People’s Artist of the Republic of Armenia Yuri Yerznkyan created everlasting values. More than two decades he was the head of the Chair of Cinema and Television at the faculty of Arts and Cultural Studies in Pedagogical Institute.

In 1954 Yuri Yerznkyan directed his first independent film “Looking for the addressee”. Later on he directed the films “Captives of Hovazadzor”, “The song of the first love”, “About my friend”, “Rings of glory”, “Khatabalada”,”The green, red world”, “Snow in black”, “Encounter”. As a director Yerznkyan shoot more than 100 feature and documentary films. Yuri Yerznkyan was an artist with a unique creative style, who was able to create high artistic values which found their deserved place in the golden collection of national cinematography.

The Institute’s honored teacher of the musical education Tsitsilia Brutyan with students

67 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD ASPU AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

One of the key points in the musical education of the young generation is training the choir leaders for school . For that purpose in 1971 the chair of Conducting and Vocal training was founded and was headed for about eight years by the People’s Artist of the Republic of Armenia, Professor Emma Tsaturyan. Under the supervision of Emma Tsaturyan mixed Choir was organized in the Institute and became the laureate of the all-union and republican festi- vals.

Emma Tsaturyan and the conductor Aram TerHovhannisyan working with the choir

People’s Artists of the Republic of Armenia conductors Aram Katanyan and Hakob Voskanyan and composer Tigran Mansuryan left their unique trace in the life of the Institute. Music had become an inseparable part of our life, there was an urgent necessity to bind the students from the very beginning to classical and national instruments such as piano, violin, flute, harp, kanon, oud, kaman- cha, etc., train them for mastering the art of playing the musical instruments - a thing that was not only necessary but obligatory in school during the pedagogical activity. This problem was faced by the chair of musical instruments.

The Chair of Pedagogy of Choreography was founded in 1976. The first head of the department was People’s Artist of the Republic of Armenia Azat

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Gharibyan (1923 - 1977) and the first head of the Chair was People’s Artist of the Republic of Armenia Frunze Yelanyan (1928 - 2007). During the period of their education the students of the department mastered the art of Armenian folk, classical and modern dancing obtaining the qualification of a dancing teacher. Owing to the intensive work of dancing teachers many students acquired professional skills and were enrolled in the Opera and Ballet State Theater dancing groups, took the responsibility to participate in the main performances. The prestige of the specialized depart- Frunze Yelanyan ment was due to the fact that even a number of (1928 2007) state dancing ensembles from foreign countries like China, Korea, Greece and Syria were received guests of the section of Teaching the Art of Dance and conducted joint dancing classes.

Haykaz Poghosyan - Rector of the Pedagogical Institute (1975-1979)

Lemvel Valesyan - Rector of the Pedagogical Institute (1979-1987)

In 1980 approximately 5000 students were receiving their education in the Institute. Hykaz Poghosyan

Lemvel Valesyan

69 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD ASPU AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

In 1982 the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the Pedagogical Institute was celebrated.

Karen Demirchyan presenting a diploma to the Geography doctor, professor, corresponding member of the academy of the pedagogical sciences of USSR Lemvel Valesyan on the occasion of the foundation of the 60th Anniversary of Khachatur Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical Institute (1982) .

Opening of the ceremonial sitting dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the foundation of Khachatur Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical Institute (1982) .

70 PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD KHACHATUR ABOVIAN AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ASPU

Khachatur Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical Institute during the parade

Eduard Ghazaryan - Rector of the Pedagogical Institute (1987 - 1988).

Academician Eduard Ghazaryan

The Head of the Armenian Language and Elementary Education Teaching Methods Chair, professor Ashot Ter Grigoryan and Rector Eduard Ghazaryan (from left to right)

PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY’S PARTICIPATION IN THE HEROIC WAR FOR ARTSAKH

(1991 - 1994) KHACHATUR ABOVIAN PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY’S PARTICIPATION ASPU IN THE HEROIC WAR FOR ARTSAKH

the end of 1980s and the beginning of 1990s the center of attention of the Republic was Nagorno - Karabakh conflict n apart from which the Pedagogical University certainly could- n’t Istay. There have been preserved documents adopted by the University staff during the Soviet period according to which Pedagogical Institute supported the Artsakh liberation struggle. Thus in the spring of 1988 during the general meeting eight thousand representatives of Khachatur Abovian Pedagogical Institute adopted a decision due to which expressed their gratitude to the American people and the US Senate for the amicable step aimed at supporting the right to self-determination of the Armenian population in Artsakh . On May 22,1989 the governing bodies of the Institute in a letter addressed to the Supreme Council Presidium Chairman of Armenian SSR condemned the arrest of “ Karabakh Committee” members and demanded to convene a session of the Supreme Council of the Republic for the equitable solution of Nagorno- Karabakh conflict. In 1990-1991 on the initiative of students who fought in Afghanistan and students who served in the soviet army before receiving their education sev- eral self-defense detachments were formed. However it should be noted that Pedagogical Institute with its team detachment didn’t participate in Artsakh struggle for existence, instead the Institute’s alumni considerably reinforced the Volunteer Homeland Defenders Union detachments formed in the Republic and actively participated in the Artsakh war. In 2004 on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Artsakh liberation the former graduates of the Institute Movses G. Gorgisyan, Gevorg L. Hambardzumyan, Mekhak V. Mekhakyan, Gevorg Zh. Avagyan, Karen K. Harutyunyan were also Aghvan Mkhitaryan’s posthumously awarded the gilded medal of Khachatur Abovian. list of the wounded

74 PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY’S PARTICIPATION KHACHATUR ABOVIAN IN THE HEROIC WAR FOR ARTSAKH ASPU

The commander of “Tigran Mets” home guardsman regiment “Nork” detachment, professor of Pedagogical Institute Aghvan Mkhitaryan with his combatants (second raw, fifth from the left, Artsakh, Shahumyan region,1992).

Mekhak Mekhakyan receives the Aghvan Mkhitaryan’s blessing from the Holy Father before military maps leaving for the battle(Hadrut, 1992)

75 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY’S PARTICIPATION ASPU IN THE HEROIC WAR FOR ARTSAKH

Many people from Pedagogical Institute participated in the Artsakh War, Many of them perished:

Movses G. Gorgisyan 1961 - 1990

(RA national hero)

Kamo E. Abrahamyan 1964 - 1993

Gevorg Zh. Avagyan 1972 - 1993

Ashot B. Barseghyan 1956 - 1992

Vahram E. Barseghyan 1968 - 1992

Gagik G. Danielyan 1966 - 1994

Valeri G. Ghulyan 1953 - 1993

Mekhak V. Mekhakyan 1961 - 1994

Gevorg L. Hambardzumyan 1958 - 1994

Karen K. Harutyunyan 1960 - 1994

Artsvik D. Petrosyan 1967 - 1992

Arno M. Mkrtchyan 1953 - 1991

Slavik G. Musaelyan 1960 - 1993

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Movses G. Gorgisyan Movses Gorgisyan’s examination paper

Kamo E. Abrahamyan Gevorg Zh. Avagyan

Ashot B. Barseghyan Vahram E. Barseghyan

Valeri G. Ghulyan Gagik G. Danielyan

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Gevorg L. Hambardzumyan Gevorg Hambardzumyan’s curriculum vitae

Karen K. Harutyunyan Slavik G. Musaelyan

Mekhak V. Mekhakyan Mekhak Mekhakyan’s examination paper

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The Memorial to the perished alumni and professors of the Pedagogical University

PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY SINCE THE 1990s TILL NOWDAYS KHACHATUR ABOVIAN PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY ASPU SINCE THE 1990s TILL NOWDAYS

Gevorg Baghdasaryn - Rector of the Pedagogical Institute (1990 -1999).

Full member of the RA National Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Sciences in Physics and Mathematics, Professor. During his tenure as rector complicated and hard process of educational reforms and integration to the European educational system launched in Armenia. During that period some of the 15 operating faculties at the Institute were united for the optimization reason and in 1993 the Institute had 9 faculties:

1. History and Geography

2. Culture Academician Gevorg Baghdasaryn 3. Industrial - Pedagogy 4. Preschool pedagogy and psychology

5. Chemistry and Biology

6. Pedagogy and Elementary Education

7. Physics and Mathematics

8. Art Education

9. The Armenian Language and Literature

Misak Davtyan - Rector of the Pedagogical Institute (1999 - 2002).

The process of the further rearrangement of the Institute’s faculties was conducted in accordance with the contemporary educational demands; the educational sciences’ achievements as well as the tendencies of school building development were taken into consideration. Scientific and Educational approaches concerning Special and Preschool Education were considerably changed and modernized. Major changes launched in psychology teaching methodology. A new meaning was given to the role and the significance of education and science in the field of foreign language teaching. In 2000 instead of all-university two Chairs Russian philology and Romance-Germanic faculty was founded. Academician The University “Diaspora” center for researches begins to operate. Misak Davtyan The department of correspondence courses was founded.

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On April 3, 2000 Khachatur Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical Institute Receives the status of University and is renamed into Khachatur Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University

83 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY ASPU SINCE THE 1990s TILL NOWDAYS

THE OFFICIAL ANTHEM OF KHACHATUR ABOVIAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Lyrics by Martin Gilavyan Music by Arkadi Shekunts

You enlighten our path With Mashtots’ fair light And fill our hearts With faith and bright hope

Chorus

You’re our mother temple of schooling You’re new beacon of our march. You’re our brightest way From Abovian until today

Thy glorious way Let it go forever. Be green and bright Our dear University

Chorus

You’re our mother temple of schooling You’re new beacon of our march. You’re our brightest way From Abovian until today

Thy glorious way Let it go forever. Be green and bright Our dear University

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Artush Ghukasyan - Rector of the Pedagogical University (2002-2010).

During the tenure of Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences , professor Artush Ghukasyan Pedagogical Universities Consortium was formed, the Chair of Law was founded at the University which was later rearranged into the Chair of Law and its Teaching Methods. In 2006 Physics and Mathematics faculty was rearranged as well. In 2007 the Chair of the World History and its Teaching Methods was founded on the bases of The History of Russia and General History Chairs. The Chair of Politics and Law History was founded on the bases of Political Science and Political History. New centers, study rooms, laboratories were founded or rearranged: Social research laboratory (2008), Center for Introduction of New Technologies and Quality Evaluation (2009), Cultural center (2009), recur- rent courses of enhancement of teachers were carried out. Artush Ghukasyan

ASPU Students at Tatev Monastery Complex

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PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITIES CONSORTIUM

ased on the peculiarities of pedagogical education the Ministry of Education and Science of RA found it expedient to introduce and apply the basic theses of Bologna process in a systematizedB way by establishing the educational and methodological coordination council. The members of the Council are the corresponding representatives of Khachatur Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University , Mikael Nalbandyan Gyumri State Pedagogical Institute, Hovhannes Tumanyan Vanadzor State Pedagogical Institute , Armenian State Physical Culture Institute, Gavar State University, Goris State University and the National Institute of Education who should guide the educational reforms in the Pedagogical Universities of RA. One of the key objectives of the coordination council is the unified and smooth transition towards the new educational system. In the beginning the association of Pedagogical Universities was founded and was aimed at implementation of reforms within the general educational field. The above mentioned universities signed a memorandum to establish the intercollegiate consortium in 2007. Seven Pedagogical Universities became full members of the Consortium and later the Artsakh State University was also affiliated.

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The Armenian State Pedagogical University on the treshold of its 90th anniversary is declared as Alma Mater engaged in preparing professional educating staff for the RA. The Supreme Body of the University governance is the University Council headed by Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan. In December 2010 Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan was elected as Chairman of the ASPU Council.

The symbolic challenge medal of the University Council Chairman

Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Chairman of the ASPU Council Tigran Sargsyan

The governing bodies of the University:

 The University Council

 The University Scientific Council

 Rector’s Board

 University Rector

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In 2010 Doctor of History, Professor, Honorary Worker of Culture of the Republic of Armenia Ruben K. Mirzakhanyan was elected president of Khachatur Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University .

His Holliness Garegin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians awarding MA diplomas to ten degree holders (2011), Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia Armen Ashotyan (first from the right) Rector of the Pedagogical University Ruben Mirzakhanyan (first from the left)

According to the appropriate academic syllabus and curricula the number of students of BA, MA and Doctorate Studies is over 14000. The course for Bachelor’s Degree lasts 4 years. The duration of the Master’s major courses ranges from 1 to 2 years.

There are 25 Nominal Scholarships funded by the University.

Self-Administrated Bodies within the University  Trade Union Organization  Student Council

The University’s main divisions are the Faculties, Chairs, and Centers for Scientific Research and Education, the Scientific Library, the University Museum, Khachatur Abovian House-Museum, the Administrative Units and Departments, Services, Management Departments, High School-College. Specialized Scientific Council 020 “For Awarding Degrees in Pedagogy” and Specialized Scientific Council 064 “For Awarding Degrees in Psychology and Philosophy” also fulfills its obligations within the University.

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Within the University operate the following faculties:  Philology History and Law  Biology, Chemistry and Geography  Foreign languages  Art Education  Arts and Cultural Studies  Special Education  Preschool Education  Education Psychology and Sociology  Mathematics, Physics and Informatics

Admission Process For Bachelor’s Degree For Resident Courses: 52 qualifications available For Correspondence Courses: 41 qualifications available For Master’s Degree For Resident Courses: 47 qualifications available For Correspondence Courses: 3 qualifications available

13 MA degree holders in 2011

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The Monument of Khachatur Abovian (Khachatur Abovian House Museum,Yerevan )

The Pedagogue’s Oath taken by future teacher at Kh. Abovian House Museum (2011)

90 PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY KHACHATUR ABOVIAN SINCE THE 1990s TILL NOWDAYS ASPU

List of qualifications granted 1. Mathematics

2. Physics

3. Chemistry

4. Biology

5. Geography

6. Ecological Chemistry (Nature Protection and Ecology and Use of Natural Resources)

7. Nature Protection and Ecology

Students are granted the with the possibility At the Chemistry laboratory to observe the stars through the observatory installed on the roof of the University 8. History

9. Law (Pedagogical perspectives)

10. Journalism (TV journalism)

11. Journalism (Radio journalism)

12. The Armenian Language and Literature

13. The English Language and Literature

14. The German Language and Literature

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15. The French Language and Literature

16. The Spanish Language and Literature

17. Cultural Studies

18. The Russian Language and Literature

19. Social Work

20. Informatics

21. Natural Sciences

22. Technology and Entrepreneurship

23. Musical Education

24. History and Theory of Fine Arts

25. Fine Arts and Drawing

26. Pedagogy and Psychology

27. Pedagogy and Psychology (for preschool service)

28. Military Pedagogy and Psychology

29. Pedagogy and Methodology (for elementary education)

30. Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary Education (for elementary education, with Russian language as a minor)

31. Pedagogy and Methodology (for preschool service)

32. Social Pedagogy

33. Typhlopedagogy

34. Surdopedagogy

35. Oligophrenopedagogy

36. Speech and Language Pathology

37. Special Psychology

38. Corrective Psychological Service and Special Psychology (Ergotherapy)

39. Corrective Psychological Service and Special Psychology (for preschool service)

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40. Pedagogy and Sociology

41. Applied Arts

42. Directing (Directing Massive Events, TV film and TV Program Directing)

43. Dancing Art (Popular, Folklore and Classical Dance, Modern Ballroom dances)

During the informatics lesson In the painting studio

44. Library and Information Sources

45. Socio-cultural activities (Museum Studies and Monument Preservation)

46. Socio-cultural activities (Directing Concert (wind) Band and Variety Orchestra)

47. Socio-cultural activities (Directing Folk Instrument Orchestra)

48. Socio-cultural activities (Fine-Art Photography)

49. Socio-cultural activities (Management and Administration)

50. Socio-cultural activities (Film photography and Camera Operating)

51. Fashion Design

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The scientific library of the University operates since 1922. Its stock is approximately 630 thousand pieces of literature. Virtual reading hall is available via Internet. The library has about 18 thousand current users. Since 1923, 24 samples of Armenian typography from 1669 -1788 have found their place in the library of Pedagogical University, including Russian books published in Saint Petersburg in 1795.

In the reading hall

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The scientific museum of the University represents the course of development of Armenian pedagogical thought and its distinctive features. The aim of the library is to make the legacy of Pedagogical University the prop- erty of generations, to introduce all the historical periods of the University, the establishment, formation and the development as well as the present period and the prospects. The scientific museum presents the exhibits of the publishing activity of its merited and honored employees. The University houses the “Diaspora” center which carries out a succes- sive course of enhancement of Teachers from the Armenian Communities and Armenia. By doing this the University actively fulfills the mission of pre- serving the Armenian national identity in the Diaspora. The center recur- rently organizes courses of enhancement of Teachers from the Armenian Communities of America, Europe, Middle East, as well as CIS countries. The courses are carried out by the prominent scientists and professors of the Republic, including specialists from the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia.

ASPU students getting acquainted with the basics of the theory and practical skills of dolphin therapy (2011)

The University involves also a laboratory for psychological researches, the National Center for Speech and Language Pathology, as well as “Mankavarzh” Publishing House.

95 KHACHATUR ABOVIAN PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY ASPU SINCE THE 1990s TILL NOWDAYS

The Armenian State Pedagogical University publishes its official periodical “Mankavarzhakan Hamalsaran”(“Pedagogical University”),”Apaga Mankavarzh”(“Future Pedagogue”) students’ monthly. The list of Universities publications is large including University textbooks and methodological manuals, scientific monographs, scientific journals and bulletins like “Armenian Studies Review”, “Scientific Bulletin”, “Main Issues of Pedagogy and Psychology”, “Special Pedagogy and Rehabilitation Psychology”. One of the most important publications of the University is the scientific conferences collection where the best scientific papers of the teaching staff, post graduate students and researchers are presented. The official website of the University: www.armspu.am

The range of international collaboration is constantly widening. It provides real opportunities to achieve the University’s predetermined outcomes in education and science. At present the University has established mutually beneficial collaboration with the institutions of Russian Federation, Belarus, Ukraine, USA, France, Italy, Bulgaria, Finland, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Scotland, Syria and with the other international educational establishments.

In order to provide quality to the University education year after year new technologies are implemented in educational system.

Signing the collaboration agreement, 2012 From left to right The Head of the ASPU Theoretical Physics Chair Edward Kokanyan, President of the Research Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of RA Aram Papoyan, ASPU Rector Ruben Mirzhakhanyan, Professor Michel Aillerie, from the University of Lorraine, France

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In cooperation and with joint effort with the Institute of Physical Researches of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia the Laboratory for the growth of synthetic crystals for teaching and research of non-linear optical effects, laser and photonic crystal has been established.

Physical Laboratory of the Pedagogical University equipped with the latest technological devices

The University departments are replenished with the research laboratories, computer rooms as well as language laboratories. Theoretical and Practical The University reforms provide new quality to the University scientific life. Issues of Transforming Society Development (philosophical and psychological aspects) plenary On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the foundation of Khachatur session of the international con Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University an exceptional conference ference (2012). Prime Minister of devoted to the contemporary developments of philosophy was organized. the Republic of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan addressing the partici pants of the conference.

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Steering committee of the plenary session: from left to right: Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia Armen Ashotyan, the Chairman of the ASPU Council, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Tigran Sargsyan, Academician Gevorg Brutyan, International Academy of Philosophy Academician Peter Kemp, Copresident of the International Academy of Philosophy Academician Hans Kohler

Internationally outstanding academicians, prominent scientists from Great Britain, France, Austria, Denmark, Belgium, Finland, Argentina, Czech Republic, Greece, Russia, Georgia participated in the two day conference. In the frameworks of Francophonie Kh. Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University organized the international conference headed “Intercultural Communication by Teaching Foreign Languages”. Among those present at the opening of the international conference were Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Victoria Safonova, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Edward Nalbandyan, French Ambassador to Armenia Henri Reynaud.

ASPU students participating in the blood donation campaign (2011)

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At the International Exhibition “Education in Armenia” (2011)

The Pedagogical University is engaged in various state educational programs of social importance.

In 2012 the University carried out the government-initiated pilot program. Teaching staff of the University evaluated the needs of the military servicemen and in accordance to it organized the enhancement courses of soldiers. The aim of the program was to prepare the military servicemen for the continuation of their education in the Universities of the Republic or other primary and vocational educational institutions. The program proved to be a success and will be continued.

Students of Pedagogical University at the Military Units. (2012)

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The Pedagogical University organizes programs aimed at professional quality improvement and enhancement in the frameworks of professional capacity as well as within various educational spheres where pedagogical and psychological knowledge is needed.

During the courses of quality improvement and enhancement of teachers (2012)

Today the University has a theater group, ensemble of violinists and vocal - instrumental ensemble, brass band, as well as individual performers Maestro Hovhannes Chekijyan (singers, dancers, pianists, violin players , kanon players, reciters ) who conducting the mixed Choir of the received wide recognition in the Republic. Armenian State Pedagogical University (2011)

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Gary Kyosayan jazz quartet

Since 2011 Gary Kyosayan’s world famous jazz quartet performs at the Armenian State Pedagogical University International Song ContestFestival “ Nrneni” (“ Pomgranate Tree “)

Every year under the initiative of ASPU Student’s Council the International Song Contest-Festival “Nrneni” (“Pomegranate Tree “) is celebrated

Final graduation performance of the student’s of the Chair of Teaching the Art of Dance (2011)

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VISTAS OF ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

(Extract from the University’s Strategic Plan)

The Armenian State Pedagogical University will become an Institution:

. which through its progressive programs and pedagogical education services provided will be competitive in the foreign educational field, being the carrier of the new pedagogical thought and will dynamically respond to the needs of the society

. providing training of the future educators by considering national, moral and human values

. providing pedagogical education on the solid bases of general professional education bringing theory in line with practice , providing maximum opportunity for the communication between educational institutions ,teachers and students

. becoming accessible to the representatives of all the layers of the society, being affordable and preferable educational establishment with beneficial educational opportunities

. the educational programs of which will be in line with the main principles of the European area of higher education but will be distinguished by the specific pedagogical approaches on solving the educational problems of the younger generation

. having all the necessary educational infrastructures for providing pedagogical education : preparatory classes, schools, col- leges, contemporary technologies and educational new devices for delivering high quality and proper education and carrying out scientific researches

. providing systematized strategy development for the stimula- tion of education and research

. using its own capacities that will constantly develop and improve the educational domain

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. providing a better understanding and the continuous quality improvement through proper management and administration

. where education internationalization and competition will be a priority

. where the students’ social, cultural and professional life will be appraised, highlighted and prioritized

. which by distinct measures undertaken in line with its pan- Armenian University status will increase the international recognition and reputation of the Institution

. providing high-quality specialists for the Diaspora schools, providing preparatory and enhancement courses on the high educational level

On the occasion of Student’s Day organized by ASPU at the National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet after A. Spendiaryan (2011)

ASPU MAs bidding farewell

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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI OF THE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

mong the renowned graduates of the Pedagogical University are prominent writers Hovhannes Shiraz, Hrant Matevosyan, Sero Khanzatyan, Razmik Davoyan, statesmen Vache Zakaryan,A Hrachya Margaryan, Gevorg Ghanesoghlyan, Hrant Voskanyan, Armen Khachatryan and many others. The University graduate Movses Gorgisyan was awarded the highest title of “National Hero of Armenia”, Ashot Amatuni was awarded the highest title of “National Hero of USSR”, four graduates, teachers Samson Daghbashyan, Araksya Gasparyan, writer Sero Khanzatyan, party worker Darcho Hovhannisyan were awarded Honorary Title “Hero of Socialist Labor”. Mekhak Mekhakyan was awarded the 1st degree Order of the Military Cross, of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh. The scientific investment of the University graduates is significant: Shakro Mhoyan and Manvel Zulalyan are academicians of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, Ashot Abrahamyan, Gurgen Tadevosyan, Simon Krkyasharyan, Aelita Dolukhanyan, Vigen Ghazaryan are the corresponding members of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia . 105 graduates became Doctors of Sciences, Professors. The University graduates have published 2200 books (monographs, textbooks, educational, educational methodological manuals, etc.) Ten graduates of Pedagogical University were awarded state and international prizes. 45 university graduates were honored the title of the Honored School Teacher of Armenia: Patvakan Khachatryan, Yuri Amirjanyan, Vera Amirkhanyan, Arsen Minasyan, Hambardzum Voskanyan, Artavazd Ashotyan, Darcho Arakelyan, Egor Babayan, Eleonora Dallakyan, Serzh

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Sakanyan, Ashot Belubekyan,Vachik Darbinyan, Artashes Khakhanyan, Tsolak Margaryan, Anushavan Martirosyan, Erjanik Hoveyan, Geim Nikoghosyan, Aramayis Nalbandyan, Mkrtich Mkrtchyan, Saghatel Mneyan, Hayk Melkumyan, Mkhitar Mkhitaryan, Araksya Gasparyan, Samson Daghbashyan, Khachik Ghazaryan, Seda Movsisyan, Vardges Kalantaryan and many others. The graduates of the Pedagogical University have their significant investment in the cultural life of the country. Numerous writers, journalists, library workers, artists, film directors, actors are known as the Pedagogical University Alumni. The 1977 graduates of the department of History, international sports masters, tennis player Elmira Antonyan ( silver medalist of 1973 world championship) and Bagrat Burnazyan ( bronze medalist of the 1973 world championship) brought fame to the University in the field of sport.

13 MA degree holders in 2012

At present the Physical Education Chair of ASPU has been rearranged into the Chair of Sports and Chess which is headed by a well-known chess player, international grandmaster Smbat Lputyan.

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