Center for Education Projects PIU The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports

Representatives of the “Center for Education Projects” PIU paid a working visit to the Yerevan State Medical University (YSMU) on January 27. The purpose of the visit was the final monitoring of the current grant project of the Competitive Innovation Fund (CIF) for higher education of Armenia. The implementation of the YSMU grant project started in 2019, when the CIF grants were provided to 6 universities within the framework of the "Education Improvement" loan program co-financed by the World Bank.
It should be noted that the “Scientific-Educational Center for Fundamental Brain Research” was established at the Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi in accordance with the international standards, which can become a platform for excellence in the development of basic science, competitive with the European best similar laboratories. According to PhD Konstantin Yenkoyan, the Head of the grant project, as a result of the establishment of the "Scientific-Educational Center for Fundamental Brain Research", it is expected that a new impetus will be given to the studies on Alzheimer's disease, autism and stroke, as well as it expected to increase the quality of conducted researches, to increase the share of research staff and to integrate students into the research works at different stages of their education, to develop the students’ research thinking.
The Head of the grant project spoke about the conducted extensive work and the further goals. He detailed the results expected from the project and some steps directed at the continuation of the project. During the visit, the members of the working group discussed with the staff of the grant project the results set by the program, their manifestation at the level of indicators set out by the monitoring plan.
According to the Head of the grant project, the university has carried out the necessary overhaul repairs in a specially designated area, in particular, the strengthening of the bearing walls, the construction of the roof and the conduction of the work on necessary communications. The ventilation and security systems have been also purchased. The improvement works in the area adjacent to the center have been also carried out. An opportunity of an additional entrance has been created, the adjacent area has been built and got a modern look. As a result of the project, the center has been equipped with the necessary property and techniques, as well as laboratory equipment.
The representatives of the «Center for Educationl Projects» visited the newly established center, where the Head of the grant project presented the center's technical equipment and the scientific equipment according to their practical significance.
The RA Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Karen Trchunyan, an individual consultant providing professional support to the project, considered the acquired equipment and materials, discussed with the working group a number of issues related to the operation and maintenance of the laboratory equipment.
It should be noted that the creation of educational content is also an important component of the grant project. It should be added that corresponding educational content has also been created in order to use the opportunities of the created Center in the educational process as far as possible. In particular, the statutes, the structure and the staff list of the center have been approved at this stage, which is extremely important from the viewpoint of ensuring the continuity of the project.
According to the coordinator of the grant program, a number of steps have been also undertaken to modernize the content of the YSMU educational process. Bilingual educational manuals have been elaborated, compiled and published for students, graduate students, postgraduate students, researchers, post-diploma education, a training educational methodical manual has been also elaborated, compiled and published for the development of capacities for professionals working in the field, as well as an information manual about the Center has been published.
The 5 published manuals, in contrast to the current literature of the university, have fully included and combined the necessary professional material within the framework of the requirements and a unified methodology. The implementation works of pilot programs with the educational methods for students, ordinators, post-graduate students and specialists have been summarized at this stage.
According to K. Yenkoyan, the main goal of the YSMU grant project is to develop the research and innovative capacities of the university by promoting brain researches: “The material and technical base of the center can serve as a platform for the implementation of works of students and scientists of research centers and other universities, which will contribute not only to the increase of quality of the YSMU, but also to the increase of the quality of science in the Republic of Armenia.” The Vice rector added that the establishment of the «Scientific-Educational Center for Fundamental Brain Research» will also allow strengthening cooperation with the leading international scientific centers, acquiring new partners, thus raising the quality of science and efficiency in the Republic of Armenia.
It should be added that the above-mentioned steps can contribute to the continuity of the project, which, with the availability of the created infrastructure, becomes an important condition for the further effectiveness of the project.