AUA’s MA TEFL Program Collaborates with Local Universities for the Second Annual Student Research Conference

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YEREVAN – On June 7, 2013, the American University of Armenia (AUA) hosted the Second Annual Student Research Conference. Over 60 students, faculty, and other in-service professionals attended the conference. The program featured 24 papers and posters in the fields of linguistics and applied linguistics presented by graduate students and recent alumni from AUA, the Armenian-Russian (Slavonic) University, and Yerevan State University.

One of the goals of AUA’s MA in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (MA TEFL) program is to engage students in primary research. MA TEFL Program Chair Dr. Irshat Madyarov explains, “The student Research conference provides a space for AUA graduate students to engage in this kind of professional development opportunity with their peers from other universities.”

Student presenters were selected by two Proposal Reviewing Committees, consisting of students from all three participating universities. Each committee presented their selections to AUA’s MA TEFL faculty for final approval.

Conference organizer Gohar Goroyan adds, “This conference is a great stepping stone into the world of academic conferences, allowing students to share their ideas with their peers in a professional setting. Additionally, because the conference is organized by the students themselves, not only do they gain valuable experience in presenting their research, but they also get to experience what happens behind the scenes in the organization of a conference. They get to experience the event from both perspectives.”

Students from the American University of Armenia, the Armenian-Russian (Slavonic) University,and Yerevan State University participated in the conference.

Anna Ayrapetyan, from the Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University, presents her Certificate of Acknowledgement with another conference participant.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.