YEREVAN, Armenia — From June 16-20, seven representatives from the American University of Armenia (AUA) participated in an Erasmus+ staff mobility exchange at two business schools in France: SKEMA Business School in Lille and Audencia Business School in Nantes. Coordinated by the AUA Manoogian Simone College of Business and Economics (CBE), which facilitates these Erasmus+ agreements, the visit was part of the University’s ongoing collaboration with European partners through the program.
The AUA delegation to SKEMA included Chief Communications Officer Narek Ghazaryan and Senior Communications Specialist for Marketing and PR Lori Ishilian (MAMJ ’26) from the Office of Communications, along with Director of Human Resources (HR) Arina Bekchyan (MBA ’98) and HR Specialist Meline Hayrapetyan (MPSIA ’22) from the Office of HR.
Meanwhile, the Audencia delegation included CBE professor and Academic Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs and Technology Transfer Dr. Knar Khachatryan, Director of the Office of Admissions Meghry Khoshian, and Admissions Counsellor Lilit Ghazaryan.
Throughout the week, the delegates engaged in a series of meetings with key departments, including international offices, admissions teams, and study abroad units, as well as communications, HR departments, faculty, and student representatives. The program began with campus tours and introductory sessions, followed by in-depth discussions focused on international recruitment, staff development, communications strategy, and opportunities for further collaboration.
At SKEMA, the Communications team connected with their counterparts to exchange insights on digital engagement, branding, and internal communication workflows. “The exchange offered a unique opportunity to benchmark our strategies against another globally minded institution,” said Ghazaryan. “It reinforced the value of collaboration and offered fresh ideas to further strengthen our communications at AUA.”
The visit also featured academic sessions with faculty from SKEMA’s Marketing Interactions Research Centre and guest lectures from program directors in digital marketing and artificial intelligence, offering insight into innovative pedagogical approaches and curriculum design. The exchange concluded with a wrap-up session and an invitation for future collaboration, including hosting SKEMA colleagues at AUA.
The HR team explored SKEMA’s practices in staff onboarding, performance management, and employee wellness. “These meetings gave us insights into improving our internal processes and support staff more effectively,” said Bekchyan. “It was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on how we operate and where we can grow.”
At Audencia, the Admissions team focused on international student recruitment and student mobility, engaging with Audencia’s highly internationalized admissions teams. Reflecting on the visit, Khoshian shared: “It was affirming to see how aligned we are in our approaches. We witnessed firsthand that we share the same student-centered values and adaptability. While institutions like Audencia may have more resources and facilities, we are moving in the same direction and working toward the same goals.”
Dr. Khachatryan added that the visit also opened opportunities for academic collaboration and research partnerships. “Meeting with faculty members from Audencia, we had a chance to delve into the UN Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative and have an insightful discussion about G.I.F.T. project (Gaïa Improvement for Future Teaching), which is aimed at supporting Audencia faculty in integrating ecological and social issues into their teaching,” she said. “It inspired new ideas for joint projects and new possibilities of student and faculty exchange.”
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.
