On January 21, 2019, we had an interview with YSU Ijevan Branch graduate, vice-dean of YSUIB Faculty of Humanities, Associate Professor of the Department of Armenian Language and Literature, Ph.D. Vahan A. Aghababyan

– We would like to know your birth date and place.

– I was born on December 8, 1982 in one of the wonderful corners of Tavush in the village of Koghb.

– Tell us a little bit about your family (parents, wife, children).

– I am a son of a traditionist and worthy Armenian farmer. My parents are mainly engaged in agriculture. I got married in 2009. My wife, Hasmik, is from Javakhk, with roots of Vahan Teryan’s family. Together we have studied at YSUIB Faculty of Armenian Philology. My son Narek was born in 2010.

– What was your childhood dream?

– I had many dreams. Sometimes I wanted to become a military officer, sometimes a doctor. Later, I learned these two specialties, but I realized that my profession was the world of books.

– What education did you receive?

– After graduating from school, I could not choose for a long time what profession to study. In 2003, I found my “great” love after trying to study in different educational institutions. Bachelor of “Armenian Language and Literature”, Faculty of Humanities, YSU Ijevan Branch, in 2009 received Master’s degree in the same specialty. 2010-13 I studied at the post-graduate course of the Institute of Literature after Manuk Abeghyan of NAS RA. In 2013, I defended a thesis on “Sero Khanzadyan’s stories and novelists”, receiving a degree of candidate of philological sciences. In 2017, I received the academic title of Associate Professor by RA Qualification Commission.

What role did YSUIB education have in your life?

– Almost half of my youth ife is connected with the Branch. There I spend more time than at home. I had wonderful lecturers with whom I have the honor to work today. I remember every lesson trying to “steal” the most successful methods. In the years to come, I’ve never found it difficult to study in other universities, because I recieved excellent Bachelor’s education at YSUIB.

– What work experience do you have?

– I have worked in different departments. I was a senior specialist of YSUIB Education Quality Assurance and Evaluation Department, Head of Alumni and Career Center, Head of Professional Orientation and Internship Department, Vice Dean. But the most important thing is the lecturer work. Today’s young people are very intelligent, very advanced, and for me every class is pleasant and responsible. I mainly teach Modern Armenian Literature and History of Armenian Literature.

– What is your favorite book?

“The book is an indispensable component of my life. I have many favourite books, or rather, many favourite authors. I love H. Tumanyan, V. Teryan, E. Charents, Hr. Matevosyan. In general, I read all the books with pleasure. Each one is a new world, a new life and a philosophy.

– What is the last book you read?

– M. Saakashvili’s “Awakening of Forces” book.

– What music do you prefer and what is your favorite song?

– Depending on mood, I listen to music of different styles. I love national, folk songs. The most beloved song is the song “Now is my Peaceful Evening” based on V. Teryan’s words.

– What is your favorite movie?

– “We are our mountains”

– Do you have a favorite sport?

– I have been a successful football player for many years. Now I play not very often, but already in the team of veterans.

– What is your favorite place in Armenia and abroad?

-My birthplace: Everything is so beautiful there that you sometimes marvel at God’s creation. Above all, I like to rest in Gandza, on the shores of Parvana. There is probably no other place in the world where the earth and sky are so close, it seems like you are in heaven.

– What qualities do you value in people?

– You will be surprised, but in human being I appreciate the attribute of being a Person. I respect people who are responsible for their words and actions.

– Do you have a favourite quote?

– I am guided by a simple lifestyle. I am a man of action. I inherited diligence from my parents. I like to work … to work hard. Perhaps this is my slogan of life. And there are no slogans as such.

– What will you never do?

“I’ll never fly with a balloon”.

“What are you afraid of?”

– From height.

“Why are you sorry?”

– I regret that our time is finite and world literature is infinite.

– What helps you to make up your mind in difficult situations?

– The voice of conscience. If your inner “judge”is satisfied after making a decision, then the decision you made was right.

– What do you think is the biggest achievement of your life?

– My son’s birth.

– What is your formula for success?

– Hard-work, the ability to survive in difficult situations. Sometimes it seems that there are no variants, but as a rule, the best options are born at that time.

– What is the most expensive advice you have received?

– Each of us gets a lot of advice. It is difficult to imagine what the adviser would say if he had appeared in the same situation in which you were.

– What is the main message that you would give to young people (in particular, YSUIB students)?

– I would advise our students to use every moment. Continuously learn. Today the world is developing rapidly. Only the diploma is not a sufficient condition to have a successful life. You should try to develop practical skills and meet the requirements of the labor market.

– Thank you very much for an interesting interview.

Interviewed by YSUIB  Public Relations and Media responsible Hasmik Vanyan.

 On January 17^th,2019, YSU Ijevan branch hosted a class-discussion entitled “Combining theory and practice in the Educational Process”, organized by Transferring advanced teaching experience and Young Lecturers Support Center,  conducted by YSUIB lecturer of the Department of Armenian Language and Literature, associate professor, PhD, Aida Sarhatyan.

The discussion was attended by both young and experienced lecturers.

Mrs. A. Sarhatyan first presented to the participants the purpose of the discussion: to analyze, compare and evaluate theoretical and practical lessons with their advantages and disadvantages and clarify the scope of issues to be discussed.

Particularly, it was mentioned that almost all subject courses have theoretical lectures, and practical hours. The lecture is followed by practice hours that have the primary goal of bringing the students from the passive, often indifferent attitudes to motivating, speaking, activating, and engaging in the classroom. Theoretical and practical classes are mutually interwoven: the theory becomes practically understandable, meaningful and reinforced in the memory of the student.

“There are no Chinese walls between the theory and the practice” and there should not be”- said Aida Sarhatyan. – Their elements can be used together, by applying practical means at the lecture hour, by applying practical clasess for explaining theory issue that is not understood and and vice versa.

It was pointed out that at the time of practice:

• the perception of the topic becomes more interesting

• increases the student’s attention and engagement in the classroom

• develops the student’s own and creative abilities, his horizons, world outlook, connection with arts and literature, culture of speech, logic

• student-student and student-lecturer interpersonal relations are highlighted

• interdisciplinary and interconnected links are activated

• students use modern information and technology tools

• Discussions, free and unconditional debates without anxiety to be assessed or to be reprimanded

• Thematic material is enriched by new information from students’ research studies

• The acquired knowledge is not quickly forgotten, possibilities for memorization and plagiarism are excluded.

During the discussion, A. Sarhatyan and the participants of the discussion presented examples of a number of lessons, highlighted theory and practice comparison, as well as its wide and multifunctional capabilities.