ArmInfo. The opening ceremony of the Center for Hungarian Studies was held at the Armenian State Pedagogical University of Armenia named after Khachatur Abovyan. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia Zhanna Andreasyan.
According to the press service of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, the opening of the center took place within the framework of cooperation with the Catholic University named after Peter Pazmany in Hungary.
The event was also attended by the Rector of ASMU Srbuhi Gevorgyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hungary to Armenia Anna Maria Shiko, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Hungary Ashot Smbatyan, the delegation of the Catholic University of Hungary named after Peter Pazmany headed by the Vice-Rector Vince Christian and the Head of the Department of Armenian Studies Balint Kovacs. The new center will be headed by Pazmany Peter University postgraduate student, Armenian studies specialist Daniel Gazdik, on whose initiative about 10 students at the Armenian State Pedagogical University have already begun to study Hungarian. In her speech, the minister congratulated those present on the opening of the center, emphasizing that it does not precede, but follows the real process, given that there are already beneficiaries of the center.
"We have already started a meaningful process, which I am sure will contribute to strengthening the cooperation between the two universities, which will also contribute to the deepening and development of Armenian-Hungarian relations," said Zhanna Andreasyan. In the context of the importance of internationalization of higher education, Zhanna Andreasyan emphasized that the RA universities are deepening cooperation with foreign partners. "Joint publications and studies show that cooperation is acquiring new layers of content, which means that both scientific and research results are being recorded. I am sure that the opening of the Center for Hungarian History, Culture and Language will only expand the agenda that we will work on together. Undoubtedly, our students will have many good ideas, which, of course, will find support from both universities and society. It is important for us to encourage and stimulate young people on the path to achieving their goals. Joint research, conferences and events will be held between the two centers.
According to ASMU Rector Srbuhi Gevorkyan, the opening of the center is a continuation of cooperation with Pazmany Peter University, which began in 2016. She expressed hope that the opening of the center will contribute to the deepening of educational and scientific ties between the two countries, friendship between the two peoples.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Hungary to the Republic of Armenia Anna Maria Siko, emphasizing the importance of bilateral work carried out in the direction of deepening relations between Armenia and Hungary, especially noted the need for joint work in the fields of education and culture.
Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Hungary Ashot Smbatyan also noted that although little time has passed since the restoration of diplomatic relations, many programs have been implemented that feed the Armenian-Hungarian relations with new content.