Faculty Spotlights Archives - AUA Newsroom https://newsroom.aua.am/category/faculty/faculty-spotlights/ News and views from the American University of Armenia Thu, 15 Feb 2024 06:57:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 Faculty Spotlight: Christopher Edling Returns to Armenia as a Fulbright Scholar https://newsroom.aua.am/2024/01/26/faculty-spotlight-christopher-edling-returns-armenia-fulbright-scholar/ Fri, 26 Jan 2024 07:06:59 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=60696 He shares the inspiration behind completing his Fulbright in Armenia, his extracurricular interests, and his meandering professional journey.

The post Faculty Spotlight: Christopher Edling Returns to Armenia as a Fulbright Scholar appeared first on AUA Newsroom.

]]>
6 min read

A professor at New York University, Christopher Edling is embarking on the next phase of his career as a Fulbright Scholar at the American University of Armenia (AUA) for the Spring 2024 semester. We spoke to him about the inspiration behind completing his Fulbright in Armenia, his extracurricular interests, and his meandering professional journey.

1. What inspired you to apply for a Fulbright to Armenia? 

In the United States, I teach in the Expository Writing Program at New York University (NYU). I am excited to be at AUA and in Armenia, for both pedagogical and personal reasons. Pedagogically, the University is doing work that interests me and our program at NYU in terms of teaching writing to students for whom English is not a native language. For example, AUA’s English and Communications department offers a suite of sequential writing classes that somewhat mirrors a sequence of classes offered by NYU’s Expository Writing Program  for International/English Language Learner (ELL) students. The AUA Teaching English as a Foreign Language department’s model of offering a course (TEFL 328) to support graduate students in writing their final master’s paper is of interest, too. At NYU, I also work in our program’s Writing Center, so I look forward to being involved with AUA’s Math and Writing Center, as well. 

On a personal level, I served in Armenia as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer from 2009 to 2012. (Shout out to Khot village and Goris, which I adore and miss very much!) I fell in love with the country during that time, so I am super excited to be back in Hayastan! 

2. What do you hope to accomplish during your time at AUA?

The mission of the Fulbright program is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and those of other countries. Within the scope of my Fulbright project at AUA, that mutual understanding centers on teaching writing, which has multiple dimensions including language, rhetorical conventions, genre awareness, and critical thinking. At AUA, I hope to foster an exchange of ideas about these multiple dimensions of teaching writing via team teaching, class observation, course/curriculum assessment, and collaboration with University colleagues, both inside and outside the classroom. It feels like a lot to do in one semester, but my hope is that this is just the beginning of longer partnerships.

In addition to my activities at AUA, I plan to reach out to organizations like the Peace Corps and American Councils (with which I previously worked in both Armenia and Kyrgyzstan) to see what other projects I can get involved with, including ones outside Yerevan.

3. Will you focus on any research doing your time here?

Technically, I’m at AUA on a “teaching” Fulbright rather than a “research” Fulbright, so my primary role here is teaching. But, as I often tell my students, the research process is never ending, and everything is research on some level. For example, my work here includes faculty, curriculum, and program development, which means engaging with research and best practices in our disciplines. I hope that some collaborative projects or research, like co-authoring articles for peer-reviewed journals, can grow out of my time here. 

4. What do you foresee as potential challenges?

I feel fortunate to have received a tremendous amount of support from AUA, NYU, and the Fulbright program. So far, I’ve seen only green lights, not yellow or red. Within myself, I feel mindful and somewhat circumspect about my position at AUA and in Armenia, especially any assumptions I may carry from my previous years in Armenia (which was at a different time, in a different context) or predispositions I’ve developed over 10+ years of teaching. Remaining cognizant of those internal dynamics while trying to learn from and with people this semester feels important.

5. Can you share more about your journey through academia until the present?

When I talk with undergraduates about pursuing graduate studies, I usually ask if they plan on taking time away from academia before attending graduate school. This question arises from my own meandering journey. By the time I finished college, I’d decided I wanted to pursue writing professionally, so after graduation, I worked various media jobs in Hollywood for four years. That experience taught me a great deal about writing, editing, and professional skills like networking, self-organization, and hustling (if that can be called a professional skill). I eventually decided to leave Hollywood and applied to the Peace Corps, which sent me to Armenia to teach English. My time in Armenia affirmed my passion for teaching, but I still loved writing, so after the Peace Corps, I completed an MFA in Writing with the goal of writing and teaching at the university level. I spent two years in Kyrgyzstan after graduate school, initially as a Fulbright researcher, but returned to full-time teaching in 2017 when I was hired by NYU, where I have been fortunate to teach ever since.

Back to that question I ask undergraduates: in my own experience, taking time away from academia after college to explore myself and the world helped me approach graduate school in a way that felt mature and considered. When I started graduate school (at almost 30 years old!), I truly knew why I was there and what I wanted to accomplish. Some people are ready to dive into their graduate studies right after college, and taking time away from academia may be less practical for some disciplines than it is for mine. Plus, I benefited from privileges and favorable life circumstances in being able to do the things I did. But each phase of my journey — high school, college, Hollywood, Peace Corps in Armenia, graduate school, Fulbright in Kyrgyzstan — informed and led to the next phrase, resulting in a professional path that feels like a good fit for me and that I enjoy so much.

6. What interests do you have outside the classroom?

I am, and will always be, a writer and a reader. My interest in writing and reading is not restricted to classroom teaching; writing and reading are part of my daily life. Other than clothes, most of my luggage to Armenia was books — nearly two dozen of them! 

I love hiking. I often go hiking with students back in New York, and I hope to hike a lot in Armenia. 

I would also like to do something musical while I’m here. I used to play music and sing in choirs when I was younger, and I love Armenian music. (Shant or another music channel is usually playing on my TV at home.) 

Meditation is a daily practice for me. My NYU writing classes typically begin with a few minutes of silent meditation.

I enjoy walking, so I look forward to exploring Yerevan on foot these next few months.

I am slightly obsessed with rugs, so I plan to visit museums, shops, and talk with local experts while I’m here. When I was at AUA for the European Writing Centers Association Summer Institute last May, I visited the Mergerian factory/museum, which felt like being a kid in a candy store.

Also, I love food — both of my younger siblings work in the food industry, which says something about my family’s interest in food — and I plan to eat as much delicious food here as I can. If you see me on campus or around town, there’s a high likelihood that I will be eating (or have just eaten) something tasty. 

7. What do you most look forward to receiving (personally) from this Fulbright experience in Armenia and AUA?

As a Fulbrighter, similar to when I was a Peace Corps Volunteer, I feel that my purpose here is to promote mutual understanding between the U.S. and Armenia in a holistic way. That happens at a grassroots level, and personally, this is what I most look forward to during my time in Armenia and at AUA: being embedded in a community and connecting with people. As mentioned above, I also aim to do a lot of work related to teaching writing, and I wouldn’t be here without those pillars of my Fulbright project. When I look back on my previous experiences in the Peace Corps and Fulbright, though, what I enjoyed most — what was most meaningful and transformative in the long term — were the relationships I built and the informal interactions that occur on a day-by-day, human-to-human level. So, if anyone reading this wants to chat — students, faculty, staff, alumni, anyone at all — please email me, and let’s find time to meet!

In conclusion, I just want to emphasize how grateful and excited I am to be here this semester. My previous time in Armenia was very formative and meaningful for me, so being back is a tremendous gift. I am sincerely humbled by the faith AUA, NYU, and Fulbright have shown in supporting me to be in the country, and I want to honor that through my work, time, and energy here.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. 

The post Faculty Spotlight: Christopher Edling Returns to Armenia as a Fulbright Scholar appeared first on AUA Newsroom.

]]>
AUA Welcomes Three New CHSS Faculty Members https://newsroom.aua.am/2024/01/22/aua-welcomes-three-new-chss-faculty-members/ Mon, 22 Jan 2024 12:26:54 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=60666 AUA is pleased to welcome three new faculty members to CHSS: Dr. Armen Mazmanyan, Dr. Naira Sahakyan, and Dr. Robert Tyler.

The post AUA Welcomes Three New CHSS Faculty Members appeared first on AUA Newsroom.

]]>
3 min read

YEREVAN, Armenia — With the Spring 2024 semester in full swing, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is pleased to welcome three new faculty members to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS): Dr. Armen Mazmanyan, Dr. Naira Sahakyan, and Dr. Robert Tyler. Read on to meet the newest Assistant and Associate Professors to join CHSS.

Dr. Armen Mazmanyan, CHSS Associate Professor

Dr. Armen Mazmanyan’s connection to AUA dates back to 2003, when he joined the University as an adjunct lecturer. From 2010-12, he served as an Assistant Professor and in 2018 as a Visiting Professor of AUA’s LL.M. program. He earned his Doctor of Laws from the European University Institute in Italy, an LL.M. from the University of Illinois, and a Graduate Degree in Law from Yerevan State University in Armenia. 

He was the Magdalena Yesil Visiting Professor at Duke University (2015) and Resident Senior Research Fellow in the Electoral Integrity Project at the University of Sydney (2015). He also held research visiting positions at Harvard’s Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Columbia Law School, University of Antwerp, and at Central European University. Most recently, he served as Visiting Professor at the Dirpolis Institute of the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa. Since 2014, he has held the position of director at Yerevan’s Apella Institute for Policy Analysis and Dialogue. He has served as a member of the State Commission for Constitutional Reform and as a European Court of Human Rights ad hoc judge for Armenia. As an international expert, Dr. Mazmanyan has advised on constitutional-building and election reforms in over 15 countries. His research focuses on constitution-building, constitutional courts, elections, and post-Soviet politics and law.

Dr. Naira Sahakyan, CHSS Assistant Professor 

Dr. Naira Sahakyan is an Assistant Professor of History at AUA. She earned her Ph.D. in Humanities from the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands and both her master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Armenia’s Yerevan State University: the former in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, the latter in Arabic Studies. Dr. Sahakyan has served as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Cambridge (2022-23) and University of Washington (2018), as well as a library-affiliated scholar at the University of Illinois from 2022-24. From 2021-23, she served as an adjunct lecturer at AUA for several years..

Her research focuses on ethno-religious nationalism and political discourses in the Caucasus and the Middle East. She is the author of Muslim Reformers and the Bolsheviks: The Case of Daghestan (Routledge, 2022) and Armenian Price of Peace: The Revolutions of 1917 and the Future of Armenia in the Perception of the Armenian Intelligentsia (Newmag, 2023, in Armenian). Her current research interests include the transformation of ethno-religious nationalism in the Caucasus and the impact of the regional conflicts on the identities of the people in Caucasus countries, starting from the late imperial era. Dr. Sahakyan’s research has been published in high-ranked journals, including Southeast European and Black Sea Studies, Central Asian Survey, Revolutionary Russia, and Caucasus Survey.

Dr. Robert Tyler, CHSS Associate Professor

Dr. Robert Llewellyn Tyler is an Associate Professor of History at AUA. He is from Newport, Wales. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Melbourne in Australia, his master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, and his bachelor’s degree from University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. 

His primary area of research has been nineteenth-century migration from Europe to the United States and Australia and the subsequent emerging forms of identity in diasporic communities. More specifically, he has considered the continuation, modification, and decline of discernible ethno-linguistic communities, focusing on their changing nature as they interacted with the host community and other migrant groups. 

He has taught in Japan and Argentina, and at universities in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. For the academic year 2009-10, he was the Fulbright-Robertson Visiting Professor of British History at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. He has been widely published and remains an active researcher, with scholarly articles appearing recently in the journals Settler Colonial Studies, History Australia, Ethnohistory, and Journal of Migration History.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.

The post AUA Welcomes Three New CHSS Faculty Members appeared first on AUA Newsroom.

]]>
Strengthening Nursing Leadership Through Global Mentoring  https://newsroom.aua.am/2023/12/11/strengthening-nursing-leadership-through-global-mentoring/ Mon, 11 Dec 2023 06:31:47 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=60117 CHS Lecturer Talin Gulgulian represented Armenia at the 47th Biennial Sigma Convention held in November 2023 in San Antonio, Texas.

The post Strengthening Nursing Leadership Through Global Mentoring  appeared first on AUA Newsroom.

]]>
2 min read

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Thousands of nurse leaders worldwide are proud to call themselves Sigma nurses, many of whom participated in the 47th Biennial Sigma Convention held in November 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. Among them was American University of Armenia (AUA) College of Health Sciences (CHS) Lecturer Talin Gulgulian representing Armenia and CHS. Founded in 1922 by six nursing students, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) has more than 100,000 active members and 600 chapters at institutions of higher education and healthcare partners in a wide range of countries, from Armenia, Australia, and Botswana to Thailand, the United States, and Wales. Sigma members include clinical nurses and administrators, educators and researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and others working to achieve the organization’s vision of transforming the global healthcare system. Sigma’s mission is to develop nurse leaders everywhere to improve healthcare systems. Its core values are Love, Courage, and Honor

Talin GulgulianArmenia was at center stage at the 47th Biennial Sigma Convention in San Antonio, with one of its team members, Talin Gulgulian’s abstract on the convention agenda for an oral presentation titled: Be Bold: Creating Visible Nursing Leadership Through Global Mentoring and Collaboration. The convention was dedicated to the crucial role of mentorship in preparing and equipping future nurse leaders in the healthcare profession. Each pair of mentor-mentee representing various regions across the globe portrayed how the Global Leadership Mentoring Program has directly impacted performance and visibly enhanced participants’ leadership aptitudes in their respective positions. Emphasis was placed on the process of discovery, achievement, and failure, which is where growth occurs. Moreover, constructive and meaningful oversight occurs through reciprocity between mentor and mentee a paired relationship where diversity of perspectives, strengths, interests, and personhood form the basis of mutually supportive interactions, whereby each person in the pair gets a chance at assuming a leadership role. Gulgulian emphasized that all nurses have leadership potential and possess the ability to lead at the micro and macro levels and be bold in taking action to reach the ultimate goal of better health for all populations worldwide. 

You can view a short video depiction of the Convention and Gulgulian’s presentation at the following link.

The CHS team expresses gratitude for the AUA Professional Development Grant that made Talin Gulgulian’s participation in the conference possible. 

The AUA Turpanjian College of Health Sciences works actively to improve population health and health services in Armenia and the region through interdisciplinary education and development of health professionals to be leaders in public health, nursing, health services research and evaluation, and health care delivery and management.

The post Strengthening Nursing Leadership Through Global Mentoring  appeared first on AUA Newsroom.

]]>
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Nelson Baloian Receives FAST Research Grant https://newsroom.aua.am/2023/11/09/faculty-spotlight-dr-nelson-baloian-receives-fast-research-grant/ Thu, 09 Nov 2023 14:34:00 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=59395 Dr. Baloian shares with us about his journey in computer science, his research plans, and what keeps drawing him back to Armenia.

The post Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Nelson Baloian Receives FAST Research Grant appeared first on AUA Newsroom.

]]>
4 min read

In May 2023, American University of Armenia (AUA) Visiting Associate Professor Dr. Nelson Baloian was awarded the ADVANCE Research Grant from the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST). 

FAST’s mission is to support Armenia’s transformation into a science-driven country by 2041 through scientific discovery and innovation. To achieve this milestone, FAST has designed and structured numerous programs and initiatives, including the ADVANCE Research Grants. Designed in 2020, ADVANCE has provided funding for nine research projects, including 60 local and international researchers, thus far, and has welcomed foreign Principal Investigators from the United States, Germany, France, Belgium, and Chile. Fourteen non-formal trainings and workshops were organized within ADVANCE and three credit-based courses were conducted at partner higher education institutions. Five articles in Q1 journals and two conference proceedings have already been submitted by ADVANCE research groups. Research projects typically span three to four years, with each project receiving annual grant funding of up to $125,000.

Dr. Baloian’s three-year research project on “Developing interpretable, accurate, and robust regression and clustering methods” will be co-funded by AUA and jointly implemented. We spoke with Dr. Baloian to find out more about his journey in computer science, his research plans, and what keeps drawing him back to Armenia.  

1. Tell us about the lab you plan to open at AUA. What will you be focusing on?

Given the space restrictions that exist at AUA, opening a physical lab with a dedicated office or space inside a larger shared office would be difficult. However, the pandemic showed us that, especially in the computer science field, there is no need for dedicated physical space in order to have a working lab. This does not mean that face-to-face meetings are not important; rather, it is not absolutely necessary to be in the same physical space with others in order to collaborate, though that would be desirable. Currently, we have a hybrid virtual lab that comprises ten people working on the development of interpretable predictive models in the field of artificial intelligence: three senior researchers, three postgraduate junior researchers, and four undergraduate students from AUA.

2. Why did you choose to open your lab at AUA?

Given my long-term involvement with the University, it was only natural for me to attach my lab to AUA. The fact that all participants are current or former AUA students and adjunct lecturers at AUA is the direct result of our selection process.

3. What sparked your interest in the field of computer science?

As an undergraduate student in engineering, I majored in hydraulics and was planning to pursue a master’s in hydraulics. That’s when I realized that I should develop more programming skills to solve recurrent problems in civil engineering. This was in the 80’s when little “off the shelf” software was available in any field — even Excel was not easily accessible. I decided to take more computer science courses and almost immediately fell in love with the field. Prior to graduating from my master’s program, the department offered to support my enrollment in Ph.D. studies abroad, on condition that I would seek a position in the department upon returning to Chile. I went to Germany for my Ph.D., and when I returned, I was offered a tenure track position in the Department of Computer Sciences at the Universidad de Chile (University of Chile). 

4. What are you teaching at AUA?

I have been teaching regularly at AUA since 2014. Over the last ten years, I have taught several courses, from beginner levels to the most advanced. Most of the courses I teach are on programming techniques in different stages or subareas.

5. What is your favorite part in teaching?

What I enjoy the most about teaching is to convey knowledge and values which extend beyond the technical subject matter. These include ethics, responsibility, commitment to our nation, fairness, etc. It is much more difficult to teach these values, but it is possible to do so even within the context of a technical course.  

6. How do you see the progression of the computer science field in Armenia?

The computer industry has developed quickly and in a healthy way. However, computer science is still weak. While there are some very talented groups that focus on artificial intelligence, cryptography, data security, and cloud computing, we still have a long way to go before reaching a healthy progression toward achieving the standards established by research groups in this field.

7. What does winning the FAST ADVANCE Research Grants hold for you?

Of course, any grant a researcher receives is of great importance, since it is a recognition of one’s past achievements and an opportunity to advance new research projects. Winning this grant in particular holds even greater significance, since it gives me the opportunity to stay in closer contact with Armenia and contribute to its development, especially in reference to its research culture. Within the ADVANCE grant, I will be able to increase the number of publications by Armenian researchers, organize international events, establish collaborations with national and local organizations, and promote the development of the discipline in Armenia.

 8. What does it mean to you, as a Diasporan Armenian from Chile, to be Armenian? How does your Armenian identity intersect with your other identities?

Being raised in a country not actively involved in the Armenian Diaspora, I always attributed a familial meaning to everything related to Armenian culture, including the music, language, and food. My Chilean identity has to do with my professional, academic, and social life outside the family. So, the impact of being in Armenia the first time is huge: the first impression one gets is that each and every inhabitant of this country is part of one’s own family, although the way of thinking in Armenia is very different from what we are accustomed to in Chile. 

9. What keeps drawing you back to Armenia and AUA?

Having a dream or desire that encourages me to get up every day and work to achieve a goal that makes my life meaningful is more important than academic or financial achievements, per se. This is exactly how I feel about coming to Armenia to teach at AUA and trying to contribute my own little piece toward the betterment of the country.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. 

The post Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Nelson Baloian Receives FAST Research Grant appeared first on AUA Newsroom.

]]>
Associate Professor Shushan Avagyan’s Novel Wins Award https://newsroom.aua.am/2023/09/26/associate-professor-shushan-avagyans-novel-wins-award/ Tue, 26 Sep 2023 13:14:50 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=58190 Avagyan’s novel was recently translated into English by Deanna Cachoian-Schanz.

The post Associate Professor Shushan Avagyan’s Novel Wins Award appeared first on AUA Newsroom.

]]>
2 min read

YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) proudly announces the literary achievement of Associate Professor Shushan Avagyan. Her novel, A Book, Untitled, has been recognized by English PEN’s flagship grant program, PEN Translates, among thirteen titles from twelve countries and nine languages. Avagyan’s novel was recently translated into English by Deanna Cachoian-Schanz. Will Forrester, translation and international manager at English PEN, said: “These thirteen books are significant works of literature – individually, in their quality; and collectively, in how they help shift the United Kingdom (UK) literary landscape.” This is the first time English PEN awards a book translated from Eastern Armenian.

In her experimental work, Avagyan narrates an imagined encounter in Yerevan in 1926 between two early twentieth-century writers, Shushanik Kurghinian and Zabel Yesayan, whose legacies have been largely obscured and forgotten in the Armenian literary canon.

Earlier in August, Avagyan was invited to present her novel at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, in conversation with Sophie Cunningham, one of Australia’s most influential literary figures and the author of This Devastating Fever. Together, they explored the nuances of interpreting history, probed the boundaries of past and present, and examined the implications of slippage through these supposedly rigid lines. The discussion was moderated by Catherine Wilson Garry, a Scottish spoken word poet and writer based in Edinburgh.

The U.S. edition of A Book, Untitled was released in April 2023 by Awst Press, and the UK edition is scheduled for October through Tilted Axis Press.

“I wasn’t quite expecting to see just how far Girq-anvernagir (originally published in 2006) might journey, but that’s what translation does — it creates unexpected trajectories. And so, recently, Girq was also acquired by the Italian press Utopia and will soon be available in Italian as well,” says Avagyan.

A Book, Untitled has been reviewed by Alistair Ian Blyth in Big Other, Lisa Gulesserian in The Armenian Weekly, and Arpi Sarafian in The Armenian Mirror-Spectator. It will be featured in the British literary magazine Wasafiri: International Contemporary Writing in March 2024.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.

The post Associate Professor Shushan Avagyan’s Novel Wins Award appeared first on AUA Newsroom.

]]>
Assistant Professor Arshak Balayan Releases Book on Moral Philosophy https://newsroom.aua.am/2023/09/19/assistant-professor-arshak-balayan-releases-book-moral-philosophy/ Tue, 19 Sep 2023 05:55:40 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=58108 AUA CHSS proudly announces that Assistant Professor Arshak Balayan has authored a groundbreaking new book.

The post Assistant Professor Arshak Balayan Releases Book on Moral Philosophy appeared first on AUA Newsroom.

]]>
2 min read

YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) proudly announces that Assistant Professor Arshak Balayan has authored a groundbreaking new book titled Moral Philosophy: Methods, Theories and Problems, funded by The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and published by the Yerevan State University Publishing House. The author brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this endeavor. His earlier work, Philosophy: Abridged Lectures, has been widely recognized and is utilized as a philosophy textbook across various Armenian universities, attesting to the extensive scholarship it advances in the field.

Moral Philosophy: Methods, Theories and Problems is a comprehensive exploration of the intricacies of moral philosophy, encompassing the methods, theories, and select problems, masterly arranged in three interrelated sections. The book represents a significant addition to the field of philosophy in Armenia. It promises to engage a wide-ranging audience, from philosophy students to emerging political scientists, lawyers, public policy specialists, and other scholars interested in the study of critical issues shaping our social and political landscape. 

The book serves as a gateway for Armenian readers to delve into the world of leading contemporary Anglo-American philosophers, many of whom are introduced to Armenian audiences for the first time through Balayan’s work. This cross-cultural exchange is bound to enrich the intellectual discourse in Armenia and provide fresh perspectives on perpetual moral questions. Moral Philosophy: Methods, Theories and Problem is an inaugural handbook of moral philosophy in Armenian, to be created in the tradition of analytic philosophy — a tradition of philosophy renowned for its precision and clarity of thought. The contemporary approach used in this publication ensures that readers gain a solid understanding of complex moral concepts without sacrificing depth or rigor.

Reflecting on the significance of his book, Balayan notes, “To develop a genuinely tolerant and democratic society, we need to get people seriously thinking about profound and perennial moral issues as well as their implications for contemporary social life. I hope my book contributes to this cause.”

Moral Philosophy: Methods, Theories and Problems by Arshak Balayan is a transformative academic work not only in the realm of philosophy but also in its potential to stimulate critical discourse on the moral fabric of our society.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.

The post Assistant Professor Arshak Balayan Releases Book on Moral Philosophy appeared first on AUA Newsroom.

]]>
Dr. Naira Campbell-Kyureghyan Appointed C. Judson King Endowed Professor  https://newsroom.aua.am/2023/08/28/dr-naira-campbell-kyureghyan-appointed-c-judson-king-endowed-professor/ Mon, 28 Aug 2023 08:09:53 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=57782 Dr. Campbell-Kyureghyan will be joining the faculty of the CSE, teaching a course in Creativity and Technological Innovation.

The post Dr. Naira Campbell-Kyureghyan Appointed C. Judson King Endowed Professor  appeared first on AUA Newsroom.

]]>
5 min read

YEREVAN, Armenia The American University of Armenia (AUA) proudly announces the appointment of Dr. Naira Campbell-Kyureghyan to the position of the C. Judson King Endowed Visiting Professorship, carrying forth her late husband Dr. Scott Campbell’s teaching legacy at the University. 

The Professorship, along with the William Frazer Endowed Professorship, was established through a generous contribution by the late Edward Avedisian honoring the longtime fellow trustees with whom he served on the AUA Board of Trustees. Dr. Campbell-Kyureghyan will be joining the faculty of the AUA Akian College of Science and Engineering (CSE), teaching a course in Creativity and Technological Innovation. In addition, she will collaborate with Chair of the Engineering Science (ES) program Satenik Mnatsakanyan in the first semester segment of the year-long ES capstone course. Dr. Campbell-Kyureghyan will also work with CSE Dean Dr. Aram Hajian and ES program chairs to leverage her experience in teaching, research, and university service to spur the continued growth of the college, as well as to help boost partnerships with industry to realize cross-disciplinary research collaborations.

Looking forward to her position, Dr. Campbell-Kyureghyan shares, “I am very honored to be selected as the inaugural recipient of the C. Judson King Endowed Visiting Professorship at AUA this academic year. My role in this position is to enhance several aspects of students’ skills through teaching and mentoring, as well as to assist with the establishment of new initiatives and pursuit of potential. I hope to connect with many students, learn more about their ideas and goals, and guide them on the right path so they can think creatively and benefit from the process of technological innovation.” 

Dr. Campbell-Kyureghyan is no stranger to AUA, having herself graduated from the University in 1996 with a master’s in engineering. Throughout her extensive two-decade career in the sphere of higher education, she has been involved in research, teaching, and service endeavors related to university-industry-government, cross-department, and cross-institutional partnerships. Her 15-year experience spans leadership and strategic planning, development of university-wide programs to improve research and enhance teaching by building connections with industry and universities across regional, national, and international domains. She served as the founding director of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s (UWM) Biomedical Imaging and Testing Laboratory as well as the chair of the University’s Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering and director of the Consortium for Advanced Research in Gas Industry. At UWM, Dr. Campbell-Kyureghyan also raised funds for the endowment of the first-ever engineering department-level student scholarships in logistics and operations research, sponsored by FedEx Smart Post, and established a partnership for a Connected Enterprise program at the University with Rockwell Automation, CISCO, SAS, and Siemens. During her time at AUA, she also worked at the Engineering Research Center and had the fortune of meeting her late husband, Dr. Scott Campbell, who was teaching at the University. 

Dr. Scott Campbell earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in civil engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and his Ph.D in structural engineering from the University of California (UC), Berkeley, later becoming one of the leading experts in the field. He had just graduated from UC Berkeley when he was offered a faculty position in AUA’s seismic engineering program by Co-founder and Interim President Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian. Accepting the opportunity, he moved to Armenia and taught at AUA from 1995 to 1997. 

Dr. Scott Campbell and Dr. Naira Campbell-Kyureghyan

Dr. Scott Campbell and Dr. Naira Campbell-Kyureghyan, 2021

Dr. Campbell’s love for education, research, and innovation followed him throughout his career and was apparent to all who knew him. He was known by those around him as an inspirational and kind person and by his students and colleagues as a dedicated and passionate mentor. “Scott fascinated many of us at AUA with his erudition, knowledge, and kindness. He was a fun person to talk to and work with; we shared many interests and values that brought us closer and closer with time,” recalls Dr. Campbell-Kyureghyan. 

As their friendship evolved during his two-year tenure at AUA, Dr. Campbell and Dr. Campbell-Kyuregyan got married in 1997, started a family, and were blessed with their daughter Anahit and son John. They were not just a married couple, but close colleagues for many years. “I had the great fortune to work with Scott on many research projects, and while our collaboration started at AUA, it lasted for 25 more years, until his death. Together we raised many graduate students (our ‘adopted children’) who became successful researchers, educators, and professionals,” Dr. Campbell-Kyureghyan fondly remembers.

Soon after they were married, Dr. Campbell accepted a faculty position in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Ohio State University, which prompted their move to the United States. “Shortly after we moved, I started exploring opportunities in the academic arena and met many fascinating scientists and professors who motivated me to look into bioengineering. So, after becoming involved as a research scientist at the OSU Bioengineering Center for a couple of years, I decided to pursue my Ph.D. in biomechanics, which became my passion for life,” Dr. Campbell-Kyureghyan remarks. 

Now, many years later, she finds herself back at AUA and looks forward to playing her part in preparing students for the future of Armenia. She elaborates on how the trajectory of the country in the next few years depends on many external and internal factors, one being how well and quickly the nation adapts to the current technological revolution that will consequently evolve aspects of individual lives. “Today, students must possess 21st-century skills that include the ability to adapt to technological changes, critical thinking, creativity, innovative problem solving, and entrepreneurship. My understanding is that the mission and vision of AUA is to be a flagship institution in Armenia in terms of research, education, innovation, and entrepreneurship. That means that the institution will continue producing future leaders, innovators, and professionals that are prepared for 21st-century challenges,” she adds.

In January 2023, Dr. Scott Campbell lost his battle to pancreatic cancer. In his memory, the family established the Dr. Scott Campbell Endowed Scholarship Fund to support students of AUA in computer science and engineering. Dr. Campbell-Kyureghyan explains, “Scott always followed the mission and efforts of AUA and was happy to see how the institution grew and evolved over the years. As a passionate engineer and researcher, Scott often gave talks encouraging young people to choose STEM fields and mentored many of them over the years. It was a privilege for our family to continue supporting Scott’s legacy as an outstanding engineer, mentor, and educator through the establishment of a scholarship endowment at AUA in his name that will help to financially support many of those passionate students over the years.”

AUA is grateful to the legacy of Dr. Scott Campbell and looks forward to a productive future of academic excellence with Dr. Naira Campbell-Kyureghyan. To contribute to the Dr. Scott Campbell Endowed Scholarship Fund, donors can make a gift in his memory here

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. AUA’s Office of Development stewards the University’s philanthropic efforts exclusively for educational purposes.

 

The post Dr. Naira Campbell-Kyureghyan Appointed C. Judson King Endowed Professor  appeared first on AUA Newsroom.

]]>
MPA Program Chair Uros Prokic Publishes in Conatus – Journal of Philosophy https://newsroom.aua.am/2023/08/24/mpa-program-chair-uros-prokic-publishes-conatus-journal-of-philosophy/ Thu, 24 Aug 2023 13:34:59 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=57792 AUA proudly announces the publication of an article authored by the Interim Chair of Master of Public Affairs program.

The post MPA Program Chair Uros Prokic Publishes in Conatus – Journal of Philosophy appeared first on AUA Newsroom.

]]>
2 min read

YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) proudly announces the publication of an article authored by the Interim Chair of Master of Public Affairs program, Assistant Professor Uros Prokic. The article appeared in the recent issue of Conatus – Journal of Philosophy (Volume 8, Issue 1), an international, open-access, peer-reviewed academic periodical dedicated to the dissemination of original philosophical research. Conatus is published biannually by the Applied Philosophy Research Laboratory of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and is available both in print and online. In this article titled “Contemporary Epistemology of Nationalism: Faltering Foundationalism Contrasted with Holistic Coherentism,” Dr. Prokic examines the structure of knowledge of nationalism. While numerous studies on nationalism focus on the nature and defining elements of nations, this research provides a purely epistemological viewpoint. It addresses two overarching questions: What are the constitutive beliefs in these various theories, and how are they structured? 

The first section outlines a contemporary foundationalist argument and analyzes two widely accepted theories of nationalism from this theory of knowledge. The study identifies the linear constraints of the foundationalist approach that builds upon the existence of non-inferentially justified beliefs. Prokic concludes that such a model does not adequately capture the knowledge structures of nationalism, as no single element could serve as a self-justified foundational belief of nationalism. 

The second part of this research utilizes contemporary coherence theory to assess the interconnected beliefs embedded in nationalism. Through the examination of several theories of nationalism that arguably adopt coherentism, this approach to philosophical understanding of knowledge provides for a holistic analysis. 

The study concludes that the very definition of nationalism incorporates interconnected beliefs and ideas about ideology, ethnic foundation, shared cultural and historical facts, unity, and autonomy. This holistic perspective implies a befitting epistemological refocus away from foundationalism and towards coherentism.

Professor Prokic explains, “I am proud to have made a theoretical contribution to the vast body of knowledge on nationalism. This article takes a novel, overarching epistemic approach to nationalism discourse and assesses the fundamental ideas and beliefs embedded within it. Much literature has focused on what nationalism is and what it does, but rarely does it investigate how these ideas are structured. This article attempts to draw attention to this aspect of nationalism studies. I would like to thank my colleagues both at AUA and PSU for their professional support in this endeavor. I look forward to building on this philosophical study of nationalism as part of my ongoing research agenda at AUA. Investigating the structure of knowledge of nationalism from a variety of philosophical perspectives helps in furthering our understanding of this phenomenon.” 

The Master of Public Affairs program gives students the analytical, policy, administrative, and leadership skills needed to make an impact on Armenian society and beyond. Public organizations need grounded leaders who recognize that policy challenges are fluid, interconnected, and global. Hence, MPA students are taught how to ask and answer relevant political questions, how to design policy solutions to public problems, and how to administer those solutions with skilled leadership and management appropriate to public, private, and nonprofit organizations. The program provides a substantive focus on development policy, strategy, and leadership – all essential to advancing the prosperity and stability of Armenia.

The post MPA Program Chair Uros Prokic Publishes in Conatus – Journal of Philosophy appeared first on AUA Newsroom.

]]>
From War Zone to Classroom: Vicky Herkelian Joins CHS https://newsroom.aua.am/2023/08/16/war-zone-classroom-vicky-herkelian-chs/ Wed, 16 Aug 2023 08:48:36 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=57515 Read on to learn about her fascinating humanitarian work abroad, her passion for nursing, and more! 

The post From War Zone to Classroom: Vicky Herkelian Joins CHS appeared first on AUA Newsroom.

]]>
10 min read

After nearly two decades of experience in the medical field — including humanitarian field work in a variety of combat contexts — Vicky Herkelian joined the American University of Armenia (AUA) faculty this summer as a lecturer in the Turpanjian College of Health Sciences (CHS). She brings her rich and diverse knowledge to the College’s new B.S. in Nursing program, in an effort to advance nursing as a profession in Armenia. Read on to learn about her fascinating humanitarian work abroad, her passion for nursing, and more! 

Tell us about your background.

I was born in Lebanon and studied at the American University of Beirut (AUB), graduating with a B.S. in nursing. I worked at the AUB Medical Center for 4 years, after which I moved to the Clemenceau Medical Center nearby. I then moved to Dublin, where I worked at the private Blackrock Clinic while simultaneously studying for my master’s in humanitarian action. I stayed there on and off for a total of 13 years, but every 3-4 years, I would leave for volunteer work. The first time, I went to Mongolia for 8-9 months, where I worked with and trained the nurses in the government hospital in Nalaikh, a mining town. I also did some research on all levels, working with educators, the licensing body of the Ministry of Health, and nursing students. At the time, the conditions there were quite similar to the situation in Armenia, similarly a post-USSR country, and nursing was not a profession as we knew it in Ireland or Lebanon. They had just started a B.S. program there. 

I also did another short volunteer stint in South Sudan with Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders). It was quite challenging to work in the field: there were two of us responsible for a clinic near the war zone. We also planned and executed a measles vaccination campaign that targeted 10,000 children. Subsequently, I worked 3 months at the King Faisal Hospital in Riyadh. Then, I went to the north of Lebanon with the International Committee of the Red Cross to treat wounded Syrian volunteers who were injured in the Syrian War. It was quite challenging, because we were coordinating our work with different NGOs, assessing the existing needs, including social and psychological. After that, I went back to Ireland and worked in Dublin for a while. I spent the past three years at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health in the National Guard Health Affairs in Jeddah. While training nurses of different levels, I also worked as a senior nurse and counseled on the hospitals’ guidelines and policies.

I always wanted to settle in Armenia, but was unsure what job opportunities I would find here. The launch of AUA’s B.S. in Nursing program attracted me because I knew that the nurses in Armenia are not in good standing: they’re not recognized as professionals and, overall, there’s a lack of knowledge, awareness, and standards-based practices. Most of the large international hospitals in the world follow the U.S. model, because it embraces research and sets forth most of the current policies and accreditation requirements in the medical profession. The nurses here lag behind mostly because of the language barrier, they can’t benefit from those policies and procedures or establish contact with foreign institutions. They also lack the commensurate education, since they’re mostly practical nurses; so we must raise their level to a BSN, for them to become degreed nurses. We’re focusing on theory here while showing them the best practical ways to meet all the international standards. I’m happy to be a part of that transformational process at this stage. 

How long have you been in Armenia?

I applied for this position in January 2023, and I officially started in July.

What were some of the challenges you faced in your humanitarian work?

Different places posed different challenges. In South Sudan, it was mostly related to safety. We had over 20 international staff in the Lankien area in South Sudan, where the MSF project is based. We worked in a pretty big field hospital, which had been operating under tents for 10-20 years. As an outreach travel nurse, I was assigned to a smaller area, called Yuai, just a 2-hours’ walk from the frontline. We tried three times to get there by small MSF planes, but couldn’t stay long: we would just work on the ground for 1-2 hours and leave, considering the proximity of the frontline. Only on one occasion it was a bit safer, so a Kenyan colleague and I stayed there for a week to plan and execute the administration of the measles vaccine to children: due to malnutrition and other factors, youth were getting infected by measles and dying very quickly from complications. 

Additionally, we were performing many, many operations: in one day, we were called to tend for 100 wounded soldiers. We were not allowed to choose the types of patients; the generals there were opting to send us patients that were treatable so they could use them again on the battlefield, whereas the more seriously wounded ones — with chest wounds and brain injuries — were left to die. Another challenge was the lack of equipment. We had a so-called ICU unit where children and adults were admitted, but we only had one small oxygen machine. We managed to find a way to connect the tubes to share the same oxygen machine between patients. It was a makeshift hospital, and we were trying to improvise the treatments. We received some medications sometimes: every ten days, a plane would land full of supplies from Kenya. We would give patients ketamine during operations because we couldn’t sedate them properly. We didn’t have a ventilator or any possibility of intubating the patients.

I heard that 20-30 years ago, the hospitals here in Armenia were operating on a very basic level, lacking necessary equipment and supplies. Some of my students tell me that they improvised a lot in those years. It made them more aware of the processes involved and developed their critical and creative thinking.

In Lebanon, it was better. We were not in the safest area, but we were working in hospitals, so the setting was better: we had a proper operating room and were able to keep the ward clean because it was located in a building. The challenges were the patients themselves, because they were young professionals from various fields: lawyer, professor of philosophy, and so on. There, the challenge was more psychological. The wounds were getting infected because they were not getting treated on time, since they would travel from Syria to Lebanon on a donkey. They had multiple fractures, something I have never seen before: the X-rays looked like a puzzle. We couldn’t manage to save their limbs, legs and arms, so sometimes we had to amputate them. Amputation was a big issue, because they were young and wouldn’t accept it at first. It took them a long time to come around to the idea. They didn’t have family members around, so we were their families in a way. We also had a post-surgery rehab center. I was part of the operating and recovery room staff and worked there according to high international standards. That was possible because we had the equipment, cleaning supplies, and medications we needed. 

In Mongolia, the greatest challenge was the system in which the nurses were operating. They were not given enough knowledge, and the hospital setting was very basic, lacking much vital equipment — from monitors to ventilators. The nurses were subordinate to doctors: they were only meant to do what they were told. The nurses’ self esteem was low, and they were not paid well. The policies of the Ministry of Health were vague and did not offer proper guidance for safe practice. The nurses lacked motivation, as they didn’t see a way to improve their situation. NGOs were the main entity supporting them.

Why Armenia?

It was my childhood dream. Due to financial circumstances, it took me a longer time to come, but I always wanted to live in my motherland. It was a dream that came true last year.

What is your role now in CHS?

I’m a lecturer here. My course has already started, so I’m teaching every day. First, we have the 3-week transition course, in which we provide the nurses with basic information on anatomy, physiology, and essential concepts in contemporary nursing practice so they will be able to understand the types of diseases, the pathophysiology, and the medical/surgical needs of patients. We call it a Bridge One course. This also gives us the opportunity to get to know the students, where they’re coming from, their experiences and existing knowledge. We start again in the fall semester, when I’ll be teaching other subjects.

How did you choose to go into nursing?

I was a bit unsure about what to do when I graduated from high school. I was pretty good at math and physics, and I wasn’t much of a people-person. I was a bit of an introvert: I wanted to spend time in front of a paper solving problems. Then, I was offered a full scholarship to go to AUB and study nursing. Somehow, everything else faded away, and I chose that route. I don’t regret it. It developed my people skills, and the ability to grow deep connections with patients, colleagues, and superiors as I do now and thoroughly enjoy.

How was your transition from clinical work to teaching? 

I’ve always taught: I’ve given lectures for the Red Cross and pro bono to various organizations. Since 2002, I’ve been teaching nurses hands-on in hospitals, so I’ve been involved in instruction for a long time. Now, instead of teaching 1-2 nurses at a time, I’m teaching 10 or 20. I like it. It’s the same concept, just in a more structured way. I cover more general topics, instead of focusing on a specific ward or addressing the needs of a certain nursing or medical unit. We’re starting from the beginning with general concepts.

What are some of the challenges when it comes to teaching?

I enjoy the classes very much. The earlier challenges were related to preparing for the classes. My colleagues had informed me about the level of nursing knowledge and practice, the problems the students were having, and the level of their understanding. I also had to figure out how to overcome the language barrier to teach them medical terminology in English. My classes are quite interactive, so the students participate a lot. When we read a sentence, I make sure they understand the real meaning behind it. If it contains certain difficult words, we keep repeating it, and sometimes I explain it in Armenian. I imagine what it would be like if someone were to explain it to me in Russian — what would I do to try to understand it? How would the instructor explain it differently so I would understand? While preparing for each course, I’ve tried to imagine myself studying basic anatomy/physiology and tailor it to a population on a certain level or with a defined purpose. 

What is your favorite part of teaching and experiences with nursing?

The more I work with people, with vulnerable populations, the more I try to understand humans. At the end of the day, the needs of human beings are more or less the same wherever they are, in whichever situations they may be around the world. Physical needs might vary, but when you hear patients’ stories, you realize that their psychological needs are similar. We’re all craving the same things: love, affection, belonging. It’s more about building this deep connection with people and understanding them and their needs as human beings. When somebody shares their story with me, I feel happy knowing that we’re making a difference, seeing the results: whether I taught somebody and they were able to work in a more conscious, knowledgeable way, or I listened to somebody’s story and they felt heard, or I treated somebody and tended to their wounds, so they trusted me. These are the stories that get repeated wherever I go, in whatever context I work. I’ve worked with a really privileged society in Ireland, where I was in a private clinic, as well as in South Sudan — the people are different, the lifestyles are different, but the basic, psychological needs tend to be the same everywhere. This is how you find a connection with human beings, wherever they are in the world, in whichever situations. Even nurses have similar needs. You give attention to a new junior nurse, you give them the opportunity to understand things, and they will give the same level of attention to their patients. But if they’re lacking this attention and always craving it, they will not be able to attend to the patients properly.

What motivates you in your work?

When I see the enthusiasm and effort of students to understand what they’re being taught and the appreciation they have, it motivates me to work harder. It’s the same with patients. The more they see results, the more they appreciate me, the more enthusiastic I am. Whenever I tell someone, “Don’t do this, it’s not good for your health; do something else,” and then you see the positive outcome — like in the ICU, when you see someone waking up on their own and feeling better after a long struggle — there’s nothing more rewarding. When you see somebody dressed in a suit, whereas two months ago he was being intubated in an ICU and has now come back to thank you, there’s nothing like it. There aren’t words to explain that.

How do your experiences in the humanitarian aid context help you at AUA?

The closest connection I was able to make with the Armenian nursing level was my experience with the Mongolians. Because I worked in a hospital there for eight months, I was very close to the nurses, and with the help of educators and doctors, I was able to understand the whole system, how it works, the problems and issues, etc. Whenever we discuss nursing in Armenia, the standards of practice, and nurses’ level of knowledge, I’m able to relate everything to my own experience: the problems that nurses have with low pay, the lack of support, working long hours — working 24 hours in a single shift is quite crazy. Because I’ve lived and worked with Mongolian nurses, I’ve done some night shifts to understand what goes on during that time — how they attend to patients when they have a larger load and struggle to meet all their needs — from both the patients’ as well as the nurses’ standpoints. Whenever I speak to the nurses here, I see the same issues coming up again and again.

How do you see the development of nursing in Armenia in the next 5-10 years?

I have high hopes. From observing our students, I can see that they’re quite discontent when it comes to the current nursing practice. At the same time, they have lots of enthusiasm for change, so the nurses I’m seeing here are those who have worked on their language level and various skills to be able to see changes forthcoming. I’m hoping that by facilitating learning — by introducing international nursing practices, for example — enabling them to read recently published research papers and nursing books and building an understanding of what’s going on, they will be able to institute changes in their workplaces and elevate the nursing standards here in Armenia, thereby turning nursing into a profession. This is the most important thing. We are not assistants to doctors; we are professionals of our own. We are always trying to emphasize that, but in order to achieve that, you need enough experience and knowledge and must follow the universal standards.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. 

 

The post From War Zone to Classroom: Vicky Herkelian Joins CHS appeared first on AUA Newsroom.

]]>
Hrag Papazian and Narek Ohanyan Appointed Full Time Faculty https://newsroom.aua.am/2023/08/07/hrag-papazian-narek-ohanyan-appointed-full-time-faculty/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 13:37:24 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=57259 Hrag Papazian and Narek Ohanyan appointed full-time faculty.

The post Hrag Papazian and Narek Ohanyan Appointed Full Time Faculty appeared first on AUA Newsroom.

]]>
2 min read

YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Hrag Papazian and Narek Ohanyan as full-time faculty for the upcoming academic year 2023-24. Their dedication and contributions to their respective colleges have earned them this well-deserved appointment.

Hrag Papazian, previously an adjunct lecturer at the College of Humanities & Social Sciences (CHSS), has been an invaluable asset to the AUA community. Holding a DPhil in Anthropology (2020) from the University of Oxford, Hrag’s academic achievements have been exceptional. His dissertation, “Contesting Armenianness: plurality, segregation and multilateral boundary making among Armenians in Contemporary Turkey,” has earned him the David Parkin Prize in Ethnographic Materials by the School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography at Oxford, as well as an honorary mention by the Society for Armenian Studies. Moreover, he has been a Promise Armenian Institute postdoctoral fellow at UCLA and a visiting scholar at the University of Cambridge, Faculty of Divinity. Hrag has also served as Kazan Visiting Professor in Armenian Studies at California State University in Fresno. His diverse research interests encompass ethnicity, religion, diaspora, migration, politics, and issues of self-identification and boundary-making. Notably, his most recent publications have appeared in Citizenship Studies (with Salim Aykut Öztürk) and Ethnopolitics (available here and here).

On the occasion of his new appointment as Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Hrag asserts, “To sum up the highlight of my experience at AUA, I would turn to one word: students. Having intermittently taught over 5 academic terms at AUA, I have had a very fulfilling experience thanks to them, one that always made me want to come back whenever I was away. They helped me learn a lot about my field, about the vocation of teaching, and, of course, about Armenia. Not to sound dramatic, but they often gave me meaning and, at times, even hope.”

During his time as a student, Narek Ohanyan (MSE ’16) started working at the Central Bank of Armenia (2015-2017). Following that, he provided consulting services to reputable international organizations like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank on several projects. This June, he achieved a milestone by receiving his Ph.D. in Economics from the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain. Narek’s dedication to his studies and research has not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by his recent research, “Measuring Monetary Policy: Rules versus Discretion,” published in the Empirical Economics journal, “Best Paper” award by the Armenian Economic Association at its annual meetings in 2016 and 2017, and the Grigor Artsruni prize in 2023.

Likewise, Narek Ohanyan expresses his gratitude for this opportunity, stating, “I have had the experience of teaching and conducting research abroad, but neither is as satisfying as working with Armenian students and topics relevant to our country.”

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.

The post Hrag Papazian and Narek Ohanyan Appointed Full Time Faculty appeared first on AUA Newsroom.

]]>