Open Education Empowers Lori Community With Inclusive Learning Opportunities

3 min read

VANADZOR, Armenia — On June 16, the American University of Armenia’s (AUA) Open Education (OE) held a community meeting at the OE center in Vanadzor, Lori province, to present its multi-purpose programs and activities and explore new partnerships to grow educational initiatives in the region. Attending the meeting were representatives from the Lori regional administration, the Vanadzor municipality, local schools, universities, and colleges, as well as several NGOs, including Children of Armenia Fund; Instigate (Zealous); Heba NGO; the Lori destination management organization; Vanadzor Technology Center; the Lori regional branch of Armenian Red Cross; and Orran Benevolent NGO. The participation of these organizations added depth and breadth to the discussion, fostering collaboration to further narrow the educational gaps in the region.

OE Director Anoush Yedigaryan introduced the center’s core mission and its distinguishing features, emphasizing inclusivity as a core value. The attendees learned about the diverse range of available OE programs, including languages, professional development courses, preparation for standardized tests and certification exams, as well as other specialized training and testing. These comprehensive programs aim to equip learners with a wide range of knowledge and skills for personal and professional growth. 

The information shared with participants prompted various questions related to the community’s needs, program costs, sponsorships, eligibility criteria, customized courses, and job opportunities for OE alumni. In her response, Yedigaryan elucidated several elements, underscoring the significance of available sponsorships that allow Lori residents to only pay a nominal registration fee for OE courses. These sponsorships ensure that students in the region can access available training without the associated financial burdens. 

One program that drew particular interest was the recently-established Sarkis Cabayan Small and Emerging Business Development Program in Armenian Provinces with Scholarships for Women. As the name suggests, the program aims to promote business development in Armenia’s regions, with special support for women entrepreneurs. It includes a six-month training in entrepreneurship, business management, financial management, and finding markets. Throughout the program, local and foreign experts mentor participants in developing their existing businesses or launching new ones.

On the question regarding the teaching staff, Yedigaryan explained that OE prioritizes hiring local talent but also engages specialists from Yerevan and abroad, as deemed necessary, including instructors from AUA degree programs. Moreover, OE maximizes flexibility for learners by offering offline, online, and hybrid classes. Hybrid classes have instructors teaching remotely to participants assembled in a classroom in their city or town and/or use a blend of online and offline instruction.

The Vanadzor meeting also emphasized the importance of connecting with OE alumni and proposed creating networking mechanisms for improved communication among them. Likewise, better contact and collaboration with other training organizations were regarded as important for optimizing the benefit to the community and preventing duplications of effort. 

Hence, OE actively engages with regional communities using multiple channels with the aim of making its programs accessible and inclusive to all segments of society. By incorporating different approaches to learning, OE is continuously increasing available training opportunities in the regions and augmenting its impact on regional development.

The meeting also helped increase collaboration with other organizations: Heba NGO offered access to its classrooms in Alaverdi for organizing English classes, and Lori Regional State College and local schools expressed readiness to host kids’ programs in Vanadzor. The accessibility challenges of the current OE Lori Center location at the Vanadzor Technology Center prompted consideration of alternative site options.

Nelson Mamulyan, the IT manager of educational projects at Instigate (Zealous), expressed his appreciation for inviting many stakeholders to the meeting, emphasizing the significance of holding such discussions to identify and address existing gaps. He particularly valued the importance of such dialogues in garnering ideas and reaching an agreement by unanimous consent of participants for the best aggregate progress.

By prioritizing inclusivity and accessibility, OE ensures learners of all skill levels, including those in underserved regions, access quality educational programs. Through sponsorships, partnerships, and alumni engagement, OE continues to bridge the educational gap between urban and rural areas, fostering personal and professional growth for individuals throughout the country. 

Open Education (OE) is the non-degree educational program of the American University of Armenia (AUA), with programs especially geared to meeting the educational needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds and occupations, as well as governments and corporate organizations. OE offers a comprehensive range of courses and certificate programs, including language classes, test preparation courses, and a wide range of professional development training. Through its regional centers around Armenia, OE expands opportunities for locals to thrive and contribute to the development of their communities. Additionally, OE provides testing services on behalf of various standardized tests for college admission and exams for international professional certification.