YEREVAN, Armenia — From September 17 to 19, the Zaven P. and Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering (CSE) at the American University of Armenia (AUA) served as one of the co-organizers of the 2nd International Conference on Mechanical Engineering Solutions (MES 2025). The event was hosted at AUA, with some sessions taking place at the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, and held under the auspices of the International Federation for the Promotion of Mechanism and Machine Science (IFToMM). MES 2025 continued the mission of the MES conference series to provide an international forum for the exchange of ideas in mechanical engineering, mechanism science, and applied technology.
The conference officially opened with welcome addresses by AUA President Dr. Bruce Boghosian and CSE Dean Dr. Reza Malekian. In his remarks, Dr. Boghosian emphasized AUA’s growing capacity in mechanical engineering research and education, underlining the University’s commitment to building a strong foundation for innovation and international collaboration in the field. Dr. Malekian followed with a focus on CSE’s role in advancing interdisciplinary research and fostering applied solutions that address both regional and global engineering challenges. Their speeches highlighted the strategic importance of MES 2025 for Armenia’s integration into international engineering networks and for strengthening CSE’s partnerships with academic and industrial stakeholders worldwide.
The three-day program of MES 2025 brought together researchers, faculty, graduate students, and industry specialists from Armenia and abroad. The conference program covered a broad range of subject areas in the field of mechanical engineering, including machine and mechanism design, simulation and modeling, robotics and smart systems, vibration and dynamics, biomechanical engineering, and transportation and mobility, as well as precision manufacturing and production systems. An important addition in 2025 was an exhibition parallel to the technical sessions, where participating companies and institutions presented prototypes, devices, and applied solutions that complemented the research themes discussed in the conference halls. This combination of academic and applied content underscored the event’s mission of bridging theoretical research with practical implementation.
Following the conclusion of the conference, the conference proceedings, titled “Mechanical Engineering Solutions: Design, Simulation, Testing, Manufacturing,” were published by Springer publishers in the Mechanisms and Machine Science series. The book compiles the peer-reviewed papers presented during the event and serves as a reference source for both scholars and practitioners in mechanical engineering. Each paper underwent a rigorous review process, ensuring the scientific merit and practical relevance of the contributions. The publication further solidifies the role of MES as a platform for disseminating research in the design, analysis, testing, and manufacturing of mechanical systems.
Among the contributions from AUA, Sargis Zeytunyan, lecturer and director of the Prototyping Laboratory at CSE, co-authored a paper with Dr. Ara Nazarian and Dr. Edward Rodriguez of the Center for Advanced Orthopaedic Studies at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School. Their article, titled “Development of Simplified Short Intramedullary Nail System for Fixation of Femoral Fractures,” addresses a pressing issue in orthopedic trauma care, particularly relevant to Armenia. Femoral fractures, common among the elderly, are often inadequately treated in the country due to the high costs and unavailability of advanced surgical systems. The research presented a simplified intramedullary nail system that reduces the number of surgical instruments required, from more than 60 to approximately 20, significantly lowering treatment costs while maintaining the reliability and strength of fixation.
The system was designed using advanced computer-aided engineering tools and analyzed through the finite element method, following ASTM guidelines to validate its mechanical performance. The collaboration demonstrates how locally developed engineering solutions, when combined with international expertise, can create scalable medical innovations with both national and global significance.
The contributions of CSE faculty to the scientific content of MES 2025 was matched by active involvement in the organizational process. In recognition of her role, Dr. Rubina Danilova, CSE operations manager, received a certificate of appreciation from the organizers for her assistance in ensuring the successful planning and implementation of the event.
By co-organizing MES 2025, contributing to its scientific output, and participating in its organizational work, CSE reinforced its position as an active member of the international mechanical engineering community. The University’s engagement demonstrates its commitment to supporting high-quality research, facilitating cross-border academic collaboration, and fostering innovation that addresses practical needs in Armenia and the region.
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.
