The forum “Dialogue: Labor Market and RAU” was initiated at RAU on February 24. The aim of the forum is the discussion of the alignment of educational programs of the University with the current labor market requirements.
 
Those in attendance were welcomed by RAU Rector, Professor Edward Sandoyan and RAU Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Marina Khachatryan.

 

“I am inviting you to discuss content-related questions as the education system in Armenia and around the world cannot keep pace with the rapid technological development. It is necessary to consider new formats of applying modern tools in the educational system. We should pursue an educational path that combines fundamental knowledge with modern professional competencies. In fact, this problem is not new at all: for decades, even top university graduates have been facing it. It is impossible to immediately start working in one’s field without additional training. The client should be involved in the educational processes,” - highlighted RAU Rector Edward Sandoyan.

 

In the words of the Rector, virtually 100% of RAU graduates are employed. “We are certainly pleased with such demand among our graduates. However, on the other hand, we are facing a problem: our students start working during their student years and sometimes we even have to expel them for missing classes.”

 

At the same time, Edward Sandoyan noted the advantages of RAU students and graduates: knowledge of several languages, representation of diverse nationalities and cultures as well as a broad outlook. The Rector emphasized that the university has external partnership with numerous universities which provides the students with additional opportunities to improve their qualifications and gives them a competitive advantage in the labor market.

 

“The main dilemma that needs to be discussed at the course of today’s dialogue is how to ensure the combination of deep fundamental knowledge and practical experience. This is why labor market representatives should be at the same time the clients, participants and assessors of the educational process. We look forward to fruitful cooperation with you around these issues,” - the Rector said, adding that RAU possesses all the necessary resources.

 

“We have decided to institutionize the current format of cooperation with the employers, primarily to improve the quality of education and receive feedback from the labor market. It is key to help train specialists who would meet the modern requirements and demands. Without such a dialogue, it is impossible to provide the market with qualified personnel, - noted Marina Khachatryan, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs. - Today we have seven sections which do not represent all the current educational programs, yet in the future this range will be expanded. We would like to receive answers to a number of key questions related to the development of summative competencies among our graduates: what constitutes their competitive advantage, what needs to be developed and what should be introduced to curricula.”

 

Marina Khachatryan also highlighted the organization and conduct of internships. “Another key issue to discuss is the organization and conduct of internships so that they are not formal in nature. Today we will also discuss the significant issue of receiving feedback. It is crucially important for the university to involve the representatives of the market in the educational process and in the state commissions.”
 
Note that the Forum will include 7 sections:

Section 1: Economics and Finance: Dialogue with the Labor Market
Section 2: Management and Business: Dialogue with the Labor Market
Section 3: Tourism and Services: Dialogue with the Labor Market
Section 4: International Relations: Dialogue with the Labor Market
Section 5: Law: Dialogue with the Labor Market
Section 6: Journalism, Advertising, and Public Relations: Dialogue with the Labor Market
Section 7: Institute of Biomedicine and Pharmaceutics: Dialogue with the Labor Market