YEREVAN, Armenia — Dr. Habet Madoyan, chair of the B.S. in Data Science (BSDS) program at the Zaven P. and Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering (ACSE) of the American University of Armenia (AUA), delivered a talk at The Use of R in Official Statistics (uRos 2025), held on November 24–26 in Bucharest, Romania. The conference was hosted by the Romanian National Statistics Institute and brought together around 90 participants from 26 countries working in statistics, data science, and public sector analytics.
uRos is an annual international conference focused on the use of the R programming language in official statistics. Over the years, it has become an important platform for national statistical offices, researchers, and practitioners to share methods, tools, and practical experiences related to data preparation, analysis, visualization, and dissemination. The 2025 edition continued this tradition with tutorials, keynote talks, and presentation sessions covering a wide range of topics, including methodology, automation, reproducibility, visualization, and the application of data science in official statistical systems.
During the conference, Dr. Madoyan presented a talk titled “Designing Effective Visualizations: Principles and Color in Practice,” which focused on how color choices influence the readability and interpretation of data visualizations, particularly in official statistics, where clarity and accuracy are critical. The talk addressed practical design principles and highlighted common challenges in visual communication, emphasizing that effective visualization supports better understanding and responsible use of data by policymakers, researchers, and the public.
The presentation was closely aligned with the conference’s broader focus on reproducible, transparent, and accessible statistical communication. By addressing visualization from both a technical and practical perspective, the talk contributed to ongoing discussions on how statistical results can be communicated more clearly without distorting meaning or introducing bias.
Dr. Madoyan’s participation in uRos 2025 reflects ACSE’s continued engagement with international academic and professional communities. As chair of the BSDS program, his involvement in such conferences supports the College’s goal of aligning its academic programs with global standards and current practices in data science and statistics. It also strengthens connections between AUA and international institutions working in official statistics and public data analysis.
Reflecting on the experience, Dr. Madoyan noted: “The conference is important, as it helps remain aligned with current developments, meet like-minded professionals, and expand their professional networks. I hope we will see more conferences like this in Armenia in the future as well.”
His participation in the conference was supported by a grant from the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation Armenia, which made it possible for him to represent Armenia and AUA at this international event.
For ACSE, participation in uRos 2025 is more than individual representation. It directly contributes to the College’s mission to build strong, internationally connected academic programs in data science and engineering. Engagement in conferences of this scale helps ensure that teaching, research, and curriculum development at AUA are informed by current international practice. It also increases the visibility of the College and the University within global data science and official statistics communities, supporting future collaboration, research exchange, and student opportunities.
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.