This year, the international autumn school includes 5 lecturers from Austrian universities, as well as 5 students from the University of Salzburg and 7 students from the Ijevan branch of YSU. The ceremonial opening was attended by Mher Otaryan, Director of YSU Ijevan Branch; Anushavan Makaryan, Advisor to the Director; Natella Grigoryan, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities; Dr. Jasmine Dum-Tragut, Professor, Head of the Armenian Studies Department, and Director of the Institute for the Study of the Christian East at the University of Salzburg; Haykuhi Muradyan, Co-head of the "Interdisciplinary Studies of Armenian Cultural Heritage" remote laboratory; Lilit Ghalumyan, Head of the Department of Education, Culture, Sports, and Youth Affairs at the Ijevan Municipality; as well as students.

Opening speech was delivered by M. Otaryan (Director of the YSU Ijevan Branch), H. Muradyan, J. Dum-Tragut, and L. Ghalumyan. They welcomed the attendees, highlighted the significance of holding the International Autumn School at YSU Ijevan Branch (YSU IB) for the third consecutive year, and outlined its goals and objectives. "It is gratifying that our university continues to expand the geography of its international cooperation, serving as a platform for students and lecturers from various countries to meet and exchange knowledge and experience. I am confident that this period will mark the beginning of new knowledge, fascinating discoveries, and lasting friendships for the participants. International cooperation is a key priority for the development of our university," emphasized Mr. Otaryan.

This year, as well, the International Autumn School consists of both lectures and field research. The lectures will take place at the university, while the field work will be conducted at the Arakelots Monastery and the surrounding settlement. It was announced that, as part of the autumn school, students will explore specific episodes from the region's history and the activities of religious institutions. They will also learn methodologies for researching historical events through the study of archival documents and participate in a hiking expedition, during which they will conduct field research.

The autumn school is coordinated by Professor Jasmine Dum-Tragut of the University of Salzburg and Haykuhi Muradyan, co-head of the "Interdisciplinary Studies of Armenian Cultural Heritage" remote laboratory at the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography.

The autumn school will last five days, and participants will receive certificates upon completion