MBA Program Hosts Industry Representatives

3 min read

YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) Master of Business Administration (MBA) program recently welcomed a series of guest lecturers, each offering unique insight into various facets of the business world. The series was organized as part of the program’s immersion model, which strives to foster relationships between students and the business community.  

The guest series opened with an engaging lecture by Narek Aslikyan, the co-founder and CEO of Armenian Code Academy. He provided a comprehensive overview of talent sourcing, highlighting its essential role in attracting top-tier candidates. Aslikyan discussed various strategies and activities involved in talent sourcing, emphasizing its importance in achieving market penetration and gaining a competitive advantage in recruitment. His extensive experience and expertise in the field provided students with valuable knowledge and skills for success in today’s competitive workplace.

During the second guest session, Dr. Luiza Avetisyan, co-founder and CEO of staff.am, presented on “Future-Proof Competencies for Teams and Leaders.” She shared key moments in her career, including founding her first business at the young age of 22, earning her Ph.D. in engineering (financial mathematics), and co-founding staff.am, which has become a leading recruitment platform in Armenia and beyond. Dr. Avetisyan emphasized the importance of utilizing automation, artificial intelligence, and robotics to stay competitive and discussed global market trends, Armenia’s labor market landscape, and future-proof competencies for success in today’s dynamic business environment. Her talk provided useful insights into the ever-evolving business landscape and discussed predictions for future labor market demands in 2024.

Dr. Hovsep Patvakanian, head of the Investment Council at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and CEO of the Invest in AM investment matching platform, for an enlightening session titled “Coordinating Investment Climate Reforms: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach.” The lecture presented the investment climate reforms in Armenia, country potential, and roadmap to enhanced business climate, emphasizing the pivotal role of state entities, investors, and international donors in placing Armenia on the radar of the global investment map. Moreover, Dr. Patvakanian highlighted Armenia’s unique value propositions, showcasing its rich cultural heritage, technological prowess, and investment incentives tailored to various sectors. 

Next, Head of Human Resources at Webb Fontaine Yvette Torossian lectured on “Performance Management: Modern Approaches and Real-World Insights.” With a background in banking and IT, Torossian shared practical tips on optimizing performance management processes in contemporary workplaces across various industries. Her discussion traversed through the evolution of performance appraisal, tracing its trajectory from the productivity-driven ethos of the 1920s to the multi-dimensional feedback systems of the 1980s and beyond. Her interactive discussion engaged attendees in thought-provoking dialogue, encouraging reflection on current practices and exploration of innovative approaches to performance management. 

Through the lecture series, students gained critical insight into the constantly evolving business landscape, as well as the importance of adaptability, innovation, and strategic thinking in today’s competitive market. They also learned about predictions for 2024, understanding future labor market demand in greater detail. 

“Such events are an instrumental component of students’ experiential learning,” noted MBA Program Chair Dr. Mane Beglaryan. Staying relevant to and well-connected with industry is an important part of the MBA program’s vision. Building upon industry trends and demands by conversing directly with business representatives harnesses a learning experience that is not only reflective of novel pedagogical techniques, but also synthesizes first-hand business knowledge. Industry is not an external stakeholder; rather, it is a primary one. “We prepare graduates who are equipped with the skills demanded by the private sector in Armenia and beyond, and we use various modes of experiential learning, including guest speaker seminars, to maximize that outcome, resulting in highly competitive graduates,” added Dr. Beglaryan.   

The lecture series is ongoing, with another speaker set to present.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs that promote research and innovation, encourage civic engagement and community service, and foster democratic values.