YEREVAN, Armenia — On December 15, the semifinals of the interuniversity National Championship of Political Debates were held at the headquarters of the Russian Center of Science and Culture. The American University of Armenia (AUA) team emerged victorious, defeating the Russian-Armenian University and advancing to the finals.
The AUA team comprised Svetlana Ryumina (MAIRD ’25), Areg Khachatrian (MPSIA ’25), Garegin Aleksanian (BAPG ’26), and Arsen Khachatryan (BAPG ’28), mentored by Dr. Arsen Gasparyan from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS).
The semifinal debate centered on a challenging and historically charged topic: “Soviet Armenia: A Reborn State or Lost Independence?” The competition was structured into four thematic sessions, each addressing a different dimension of Armenia’s experience during the Soviet era. Session I explored “From Independence to Sovietization: A Voluntary Transition or a Forced Absorption?” Session II examined “Relations between Moscow and Yerevan: Sovereignty of a Union Republic or Dependence on the Kremlin?” Cultural dynamics were discussed in Round III, titled “Armenia within the USSR: Cultural Revival or Ideological Subordination?” The final round focused on economic issues, under the theme “The Economic Situation of the Soviet Armenia: Financial Investments or Resource Extraction.”
Reflecting on the discussions, jury member Robert Kazaryan, director of the Geghard Research Foundation, remarked, “It was particularly interesting to hear how these questions were addressed by a generation that did not live in the Soviet Union.”
Dr. Gasparyan, meanwhile, emphasized the significance of the team’s achievement. He noted: “The AUA team’s semifinal victory is a proud achievement for the University, reflecting dedication, teamwork, and intellectual excellence. The impressive level of maturity and ability of our team members to balance enthusiasm with thoughtful and respectful discourse made their experience both enjoyable and commendable. Moments like these, earned through hard work and shared success, are truly priceless.”
Earlier that day, the students met with Dr. Jean-François Caron, interim chair of the Master of Public Affairs and M.A. in International Relations and Diplomacy programs and C. Judson King Endowed Visiting Professor, who presented them with a small award of recognition on behalf of the CHSS. “We are truly proud of our students who have moved on to the finals. This shows that they have mastered the art of rhetoric, but not at the expense of truth and objectivity: an important skill in social sciences and humanities. They are great ambassadors for AUA, and we wish them the best of luck in the upcoming final,” noted Dr. Caron.
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.
