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Հայերեն (Armenian)
YEREVAN, Armenia — On February 20, Minister of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia, Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, visited the American University of Armenia (AUA).
Accompanied by AUA President Dr. Bruce Boghosian, the Minister toured the University, familiarizing himself with its academic and research programs, as well as the institution’s development priorities.
During the meeting, Dr. Boghosian presented AUA’s ongoing projects, strategic priorities, and development plans. Minister Hayrapetyan was briefed on initiatives aimed at expanding research activity, as well as on new academic programs to be launched by the Zaven P. and Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering. The parties discussed opportunities for collaboration between AUA and the Ministry of High-Tech Industry, emphasizing the pivotal role of education in driving research and technological advancement.
Highlighting the evolving relations with the United States and the transition to a new phase, Minister Hayrapetyan emphasized AUA’s critical role in this process. He addressed the need to strengthen partnerships with leading Western universities through the implementation of joint undergraduate and graduate degree programs, thereby ensuring the continuous improvement of the quality of education and reinforcing international competitiveness.
In that context, the Minister drew particular attention to AUA’s role in developing students’ soft skills, noting that meeting the evolving demands of today’s labor market requires a systematic approach to fostering critical thinking, effective communication, teamwork, and leadership abilities.
Dr. Boghosian outlined the steps aimed at enhancing the University’s research capacity, including the requirement of recruiting new faculty with active research agendas, the revision of faculty promotion policies to further stimulate research activity, and the reduction of teaching loads for research-active faculty.
In the context of new academic initiatives, the AUA President noted the potential launch of Ph.D. programs in computer science and economics, and the addition of undergraduate degree programs in the fundamental sciences and mathematics
The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue discussions and strengthen cooperation within the framework of these initiatives, with the support of the Ministry of High-Tech Industry.
Originally published in Armenian on the website of the Ministry of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia in 2026. © 2026 Ministry of High-Tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia. Reproduced with permission.
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