EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IS THE MAIN PREREQUISITE OF THE SCIENTIFIC ECONOMY
Interview by Melania Badalian
AZG DAILY
17-05-2011
According to the President of the American University of Armenia Dr.
Bruce M. Boghosian
Dr. Bruce Boghosian assumed the post of the President of the American
University of Armenia on September 1, 2010. He is the third president
of the AUA during the 20 years of its operation.
The broad of working experience in American, European and other
famous universities and scientific researches represent the work of
a professor and a specialist that has its valuable contribution to
the exact sciences.
He received his bachelor’s degree in Physics and master’s degree in
Nuclear Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT). He earned his Ph.D. at the University of California, Davis.
Before moving to the American University of Armenia, Dr. Boghosian
spent the previous ten years as professor and chair of the Department
of Mathematics at Tufts University in Massachusetts, where he
also served concurrently as adjunct professor in the Departments
of Computer Science and Physics. Earlier, he was employed as a
senior scientist in the Group for “Thinking Machines Corporation”
in Cambridge, Massachusetts; and at the Center for Computational
Science and Department of Physics, Boston University.
Dr. Bruce Boghosian’s researches have been devoted to developing
a fundamental understanding of the nature of turbulence in fluid
dynamics, and he uses both theoretical and computational methods
that were not yet used in the USA. Pursuant to this research, he
has held visiting professorship and research positions at a number
of famous Universities, such as Ecole Normale Superieure in Paris,
Peking University, University of California, universities of Berkeley,
Trieste, Cambridge, United Kingdom; University College London, etc.
Dr. Bruce Boghosian has over 80 publications and has given 150
invited talks in the various universities. He is a member of the
editorial boards of a number of international monthly journals
(Journal of Computational Science, Physica A, Computing in Science and
Engineering, and International Journal of Modern Physics C – Physics
and Computers). He is the recipient of many awards and honors in the
United States as a scholar and teacher, including Tufts University’s
Distinguished Scholar Award in 2010. He is a foreign member of the
National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia from 2008.
The foundation of American University of Armenia in the first year
after the independence of our country that was the most difficult
year, was a significant phenomenon in our educational system, based
on the Western methods and standards of teaching, at the same time
was also symbolic. In a short time period the limited programs of
the University were expanded, and the educational institution passed
a firm way of developments. Our conversation with the President of
the University is about the current processes of the institution,
about possible changes and development. This interview is conducted
within the interviews with rectors of the most important universities
of our country.
– Dr. Boghosian, which are your observations after your seven months
long experience at the American University of Armenia, and what new
developments are expected?
– The university that opened in Armenia’s Independence Day – on
September 21, had only two academic programs and 101 students. Now it
is expanded and has 7 specialized departments (Business and Management,
Industrial Engineering, Informational and Communicational Technologies,
Political Sciences, Public Healthcare, Law and Comparative Legal
Researches, English).
In addition to this each section has its research center and Acopian
Center for the Environment, where every student must have any theme
for self development; of course, being sure that there are many
serious challenges of environmental protection.
The total number of the American University of Armenia graduates is
1500 up to days. My meetings with many of them, with the administrative
representatives and with various other circles made an impression that
there is a positive appraisal of university activities. Many alumni
are involved in business, banking, and other areas; University’s
results are tangible in our country’s economy.
– What do you think, isn’t this problem vulnerable? Could Armenian
underdeveloped economic system provide all of them with work? And
have the emigration preconditions of these educated young people
become matured and substantiated?
– The statistics of years states that 75-80 percent of our graduates
remain in Armenia, 20-25 percent went abroad, a part of them went
for their doctoral candidacy, we hope for their return.
– What and how much is the university staff?
– Professorial staff consists of 30 workers, foreign and local
specialists are among them. Such simultaneously activities are very
effective and create a healthy environment. This is a manifestation of
the Armenian-American cooperation. An important part of our mission is
to conduct training courses, to introduce American teaching methods
and standards to the Armenian teachers, to prepare professors. It is
very desirable that those graduates of the AUA, who are abroad for
their doctoral candidacy, return and work in our University.
– As far as I know, there is a valid mechanism in the University that
ensures work for the graduates.
– Yes, Alumni and Career Development Office organizes works in that
direction, and the graduates are always connected electronically
and are well informed about all news and proposals. I’ve met them
in person and ventured my opinion, also gave them advice on the job
search methods, on being well prepared for interviews, on presenting
their knowledge and abilities to the employer.
I wish the university to be in closer relations with its alumni
and those relations to be mutual, in order all of them could feel
themselves in general field of the university ad vitam, as a member
of that family. We also try to connect the students being abroad to
the University Association, a part of them is in New York, Washington,
California.
– The University, of course, has financial difficulties. While the
tuition fees went up, but we suppose, it is not enough to overcome the
economic crisis and other complications caused by other factors. What
are you going to do in such situations – projects or staff reduction,
or …?
– Indeed, the economic crisis affects university procedures. Our
material resources are also gained from the interests of the existing
immune funds and from the income that is accumulated from it. Because
of the crisis the profits were declined, it was then even before
the 2008 crisis, there always was a budget deficit. And we needed
to organize fundraisings. Of course, this is not an ideal way, it
would be better to add the collected amount to the capital, it would
made income more durable. Recent years’ difficulties have forced the
University administration to make some reductions that affected the
salaries, i.e. the same level is kept, but not raised.
Usually in such situations there are two main reactions: to reduce
all programs for not exceeding the limits and the second version,
to approach more aggressively and expand programs making them more
interesting and attract new investments.
– It is clear, you choose the second way. And what part of the budget
is the amount received from tuition fees?
– The University student pays one-third of the tuition fee for his or
her education, which accounts for 3000 dollars during a year. The most
important point of the University policy is not quitting any of our
insolvent students. It is the responsibility of the AUA to procure the
necessary amount. The University realizes Admission advanced standing
admission exceptionally based on the knowledge, later refers to the
social conditions. In the USA this is called “blind decision instead
of the needs”; there are a few universities there that adhere to this
principle. This can be formulated as Admission that neglects paying
capacity. American University of Armenia has adopted such a principle,
which is also an important part of our mission. About half of the
University students receive different types of financial assistance.
Foreign students’ tuition fee is charged fully, which is about 9000
dollars.
– And what percent they comprise?
– They are not many, only 40 out of 400, and most of them are
Armenians. I think this number should be increased. It is important
to involve students from Iran, India, China and other countries. This
changes the university environment, makes it international, which
will help to increase the institution rating. Such environment is
very important for education. I can ensure that the international
student environment was very important at the years of my study. It
is important mainly for Armenia, especially that the local population
consists of the ethnic Armenians, and these contacts and relations
create wider opportunities.
I would like to touch upon another important issue – the University
is accredited in the USA. Accreditation is a seven-year, which is the
maximum that the AUA received. This is a continuous, uninterrupted
process and will restart at the expiration. This is a most important
factor to attract students, because they are given a chance to receive
American education at a lower price than in the United States.
If I can go back to the former question; should we reduce or expand
programs during the financial difficulties? In this case I have
two proposals.
The mission of the American University of Armenia is to help Armenians
and the Armenian government by importing new academic methods, include
them in the general educational system expecting new results. These new
programs and methods are additional to the existing ones, they do not
compete. The Institution is unique in its structure and approaches. As
an American University at the same time it is American University
of Armenia, the meaning and sense of which is the collaboration with
the government of Armenia, Armenian business circles, educational and
other institutions, intellectual and cultural environments, which is
the main guarantee for the further developments.
By saying original, unique, we should not remain enclosed, but respond
to the requirements of the National Academy, Ministry of Science
and Education, other ministries, and effectively cooperate with
them. The second direction refers to the expansion of the programs,
the American sector, and a closer relationship with the Armenian
Diaspora. My experience shows that many Armenians in Diaspora are not
aware of the AUA’s existence, particularly about its importance and
results given to Armenia. It is required to carry out appropriate
works within the framework of the Armenian academics, businessmen,
donors from Diaspora to involve them into the group of those, who
realize the importance of the AUA.
– Such projects require human labor, environmental resources, volition,
assistance, etc.
– This is a challenge; we are organizing fundraising in the US and
hope providing developments also through the other valuable programs.
I am not saying that it would be easy, we have to work hard. We
have limited resources, wishes, plans, but need using caution while
implementing financial projects.
– Since the first days of the establishment the university receives
support of the Armenian General Benevolent Union. Are there more
expectations?
– Over the years, as a founding body the AGBU has always helped the
University and is one of the major benefactors of the financial part.
The University of California from the USA provides academic
consultations, experts, support in exchange programs. About half of
the AUA Board of Deans are the leaders of the various departments
of the University of California, and the provost, chief academic
and operations officer, is the Vice President of the University
of California.
We need to strengthen ties between the AUA, University of California
and Government of Armenia to have a higher quality of education.
Armenia’s future economy will be an economy based on science. That is
the general tendency. We do not have enough mine resources, natural
minerals, as we are not engaged in a trade as a nation. And creation
of an excellent educational system is the main possibility and
precondition to develop scientific economy. It is clear that great
efforts are made in this direction. The educational institutions
re-evaluate their activities and roles. The Ministry of Education
and Science pays more attention to the educational effectiveness,
different projects and new ideas are brought to light, which are
about the ways for direct connection between education and economy.
I hope that the coming years would be very inspiring for education.
The most important is that it will develop our economy and will provide
our people with work opportunities, such work that will keep them in
this country.
– Yes, it is a very important and urgent condition. AUA’s educational
structure, programs are foreseen for graduate education. Are changes
possible in this regard?
– The AUA goal is to maximize the educational quality. Such
fundamental changes should be considered within the framework of
general educational system. There is not such a decision yet, it is
an issue of the future.
– We had a perspective of turning “Paramaz Avedisian” new Building,
which was built by the donations of a benefactor from Diaspora, into
an academic-scientific center. There is also an adjacent park, which
would be renovated after the construction. What works are carried out?
– Construction works are under-way now; we enriched the new building’s
interior, completely renovated the old building: floors and windows,
which were not heat-insulated, were replaced by new ones. The library
will be expanded, kitchen conditions will be modernized. As for the
works at the park, many trees are planted there; we have a gardener,
who takes care of a garden. We are associated with the district
administration and municipality. Our architect has many fine projects.
But the question of water supply is still unsolved, if the district
administration solves the question of irrigation, the works of
the garden would pick up speed. The road that existed before the
construction is open. It is planned to have a coffee corner inside
the new building, in a garden adjacent area, which, would serve as
a recreational area for the community, like the park.
– “Agean” gallery opened in “Paramaz Avedisian” building was a
novelty. Are the cultural projects continuous?
– The gallery is constantly running. Exhibitions, public lectures,
concerts are organized there periodically; there is a good piano
there. Although the University has no any academic art program,
it is a good way to bring culture to the university life.
– And the last question. Have you been in Armenia previously and what
are your impressions now?
– In recent years I have been in Armenia for several times, the
longest visit lasted three weeks, when I was here with my family. It
is a very pleasant place. I am enjoying my days spent here. Yerevan
has a very close atmosphere; the people are warm, lovely: the city
Center – Opera, Philharmonic Society, and cafes produce very good
impression. When I return back, I urge my friends in Diaspora to go
and see Armenia. I have many relatives in different countries, and
when I visit them in the US, London, Paris, Beirut and elsewhere,
I see the wonderful sites, brilliant architecture, and impressive
churches. And if you see all of these and do not see Armenia, this is
like being on the every planet of the universe besides the sun. When
I return from Armenia, I send this message to everyone.