According to the educational programs, the results of the YSU IB 2024 admission (full-time and distance learning) and a comparative analysis of the results of the previous three academic years were presented. According to the results, in the 2024-2025 academic year, a certain decrease in the number of applicants who passed the minimum threshold of entrance exams is noticeable (especially in the distance learning system) compared to the previous three academic years (2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024). The gap between the knowledge of school graduates and the requirements for entrance exams continues to deepen, the level of knowledge of applicants is decreasing, and accordingly, a greater number of applicants do not pass the minimum threshold. Unequal and unfair competitive conditions with other universities, which conduct admission without exams, attracting a large number of applicants, are also causing harm.

Compared to the previous academic year, we have an increase in the total number of applicants in the 2024-2025 academic year. This academic year, 255 applicants were admitted (instead of 236 in the previous academic year), of which 182 were admitted to the full-time bachelor's degree (instead of 161 in the previous academic year), 23 to the distance learning bachelor's degree (instead of 32), 26 to the distance learning master's degree (instead of 32), and 24 transferred from SVEI (instead of 11).

Regarding the YSU IB 2025 income and expenditure estimate (budget), it was noted that the indicators of the latter's articles were compiled based on the performance indicators of the 2024 budget, as well as forecasts and planning. The income and expenses of the 2025 budget are balanced.

The new budget provides for a certain increase in the salaries of the teaching staff, the implementation of large-scale renovation works (renovation of the buildings of the Faculties of Natural Sciences and Applied Arts and the courtyard area of ​​the central building of the YSU IB) and financing of other activities.

The 2025 income and expenditure estimate (budget) was approved by the members of the branch's academic council, and it was decided to submit it to Yerevan State University for approval.

Then, the 2023-2024 study of external stakeholders' opinions on YSU IB graduates was presented. It was noted that the study is being carried out by the Department of Internship Organization and Stakeholder Cooperation through an online survey. The surveyed sample includes the heads of regional employer organizations: banks, schools, guesthouses, public organizations, and local self-government bodies.

Overall, the survey results are satisfactory, which proves that YSU IB has fulfilled and continues to develop one of its main strategic objectives, namely to provide competitive specialists to the labor market. According to the survey results, 60 out of 67 stakeholders (89.55%) rated the professional readiness of YSU IB graduates as 4 and 5, and 54 (80.59%) rated their practical skills and professional speech, which is a high indicator.

58 out of 67 employers (86.56%) rated our graduates' communication skills with 4 and 5 marks, and 53 (79.10%) believe that our graduates are able to quickly and correctly navigate various practical situations. 64 out of 67 employers (95.52%) rated our graduates' work discipline with 4 and 5 marks, and 60 (89.55%) believe that our graduates have the ability to work in a team. 56 out of 67 employers (83.58%) rated our graduates IT skills with 4 and 5 marks, etc. 

The survey also examined the reputation of the branch in the organization and in the community. 63 out of 67 employers (94.03%) rated the branch's reputation with 4 and 5 marks. in the organization, and 61 (91.04%) in their place of residence. When asked whether our stakeholders would recommend their relatives and friends to apply to YSU IB, 65 (97.01%) of the survey participants answered positively. This indicator is quite high and indicates that the region has a high opinion of the educational activities of the branch.

In conclusion, the Department of Internship Organization and Stakeholder Engagement presented recommendations for improving graduate education and added that the department will provide the survey results to professional departments and students (SSS and SC) to consider the opinions, assessments, and suggestions of external stakeholders in the current processes aimed at improving educational programs.

Next, the reports of the Faculties of Applied Arts and Natural Sciences for the 2023-2024 academic year were presented, in accordance with the YSU IB 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. The acting deans of the above-mentioned faculties presented the results of the work carried out in the reporting academic year in accordance with the action plans developed by the faculties.

In their reports, the speakers particularly addressed the main successes or achievements recorded, their use for further improving the efficiency of the faculty's activities, the difficulties, the main reasons for their occurrence, and the steps to be taken to overcome them.

According to the YSU IB 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, the activities of the deans of the Faculties of Applied Arts and Natural Sciences for the 2023-2024 academic year were assessed as satisfactory.

The current issue concerned the implementation of structural changes in the YSU Academic Union. At the meeting of the Academic Council, it was proposed to form 2 departments based on the 4 administrative departments of the YSU Academic Union. In particular, it was proposed to:

• Merge the Procurement, Supply and Storage Department with Accounting, forming the Financial Resources Management Department,

• Merge the Professional Education Quality Assurance Department with the Educational Reforms and Lecturer Training Department, forming the Educational Reforms and Quality Assurance Department.

The members of the YSU IB Academic Council approved the proposed structural changes, and it was decided to submit a corresponding proposal to the YSU Rector.