Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Chris Tozlian
Staff Writer
During the last two weeks of January and the first week of February 2003, Arman Gabrielyan and Karine Asryan were not within their regular confines on the campus of Yerevan State University (YSU), where they both are associate professors in the University’s Faculty of Economics (Business School). Instead, they were attending classes daily at CSU Fresno.
For the last three years, Fresno State and YSU have been participating in an international exchange program called the Newly Independent States College & University Partnership Program (NISCUPP). This exchange program provides funding for universities to send their faculty members to another university for a short period of time. The grants are given for a three-year period, and Fresno State is currently in its third year of this program; Fresno State has received a $300,000 grant to make this exchange program possible. Barlow Der Mugrdechian of the Armenian Studies Program authored the grant and is the Project Director. This exchange program is funded by the United States State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Professors Gabrielyan and Asryan spent most of their time within the classrooms of Fresno State, as they observed different teaching styles. Most of the classes they attended were business-oriented, but the two professors did manage to fit into their schedules a visit to the Armenian language class being taught on campus; they also had the opportunity to address the students of Barlow Der Mugrdechian’s “Introduction to Armenian Studies” class.
During an interview, the two YSU professors spoke about their stay in Fresno, saying that they thoroughly enjoyed their time here, mentioning the friendliness of the faculty and the students alike at Fresno State. They also spoke of the great diversity on the Fresno State campus, as compared to an ethnically homogenous population as at Yerevan State University.
Professors Gabrielyan and Asryan spoke about the differences in teaching styles within the two universities, the greatest one being the “practical application” that students at Fresno State receive, whereas students at YSU are taught in a more theoretical manner. They explained that the learning experience of the students differed between the two universities; at Fresno State students can spend their full days on campus, but at YSU, most students attend class and then leave the YSU campus, unable to utilize the university’s resources and to spend time building relationships with schoolmates.
In the past three years, twelve faculty members from YSU have come to Fresno State via the NISCUPP, and ten faculty members from Fresno State have journeyed to Armenia to attend classes at YSU.
Among the Fresno State faculty who have been involved in the project are Elizabeth Shields (Finance), Sasan Rahmatian (Information Systems and Decision Sciences), Tom Burns (Management), Diane Decker (Management), Don Leet (Economics), Bill Rice (Marketing), Mark Keppler (Graduate Business Program), Tom Wielicki (Information Systems and Decision Sciences), and Harold Haak (President emeritus of Fresno State).
Barlow Der Mugrdechian explained in an earlier interview that the exchange program is quite beneficial for both universities involved. He said that the YSU faculty members gain experience in viewing new curriculum, are able to observe new teaching methodologies, and can expose themselves to the newest technological innovations in the teaching field, all of which will positively influence their teaching methods once they return home. Conversely, the professors from Fresno State also gain exposure to different teaching methodologies and teaching pedagogies.
Dr. Berta Gonzalez Director of the International Programs office discussed plans for continuing the joint efforts between the two universities. While in Fresno Asryan and Gabrielyan had the opportunity to visit many of the Armenian landmarks, such as the David of Sasoon statue, the monument for Soghomon Tehlirian, the grave of William Saroyan, and local churches. This grant is a great opportunity for both Fresno State and Yerevan State University faculty members, and its renewal will be actively pursued later this year by Professor Der Mugrdechian and those working with him on the project.