Grant promotes exchange between Armenia and Fresno State

At a meeting on campus, YSU Rector (President) Radick Martirossian (left) presented President John D. Welty with YSU's 80th anniversary medallion.

by Mary Lisa Russell

As part of a special exchange program this month, representatives from Yerevan State University (YSU) in Armenia spent three weeks on campus learning more about education, economics and business in a free society.

While they were here, YSU President Radick Martirossian and five of his business faculty members met with dozens of Fresno State faculty from various disciplines as well as with the university community and local business leaders.

The goal of the collaborative program between YSU and Fresno State is to contribute to economic and political stability in Armenia by fostering education reform in the area of business and economics at YSU.

The YSU group was able to participate in the program through a $104,440 grant awarded to Fresno State. The grant was given under

the Newly Independent States College and University Partnership Program.

Barlow Der Mugrdechian, professor of Armenian studies, is the author of the grant that brought the Armenian group to campus. He said the visitors provide an invaluable opportunity to share information.

"In an open society, you can attempt new things," Der Mugrdechian said. "Opportunities like this exchange program promote innovation and exchange and create interesting ideas that can be useful."

Armenia was formerly part of the Soviet Union. Today, Armenians are independent and are learning Western business practices.

Yerevan State University is the oldest university in Armenia, founded in 1919. Some 9,000 students attend the university.

Der Mugrdechian said that four professors from Fresno State will have their own opportunity to learn new ideas when they travel to YSU in June.