The partnership between Khachatur Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU) and the University of Pardubice (UPa) began back in January 2016. Over the years, this partnership has significantly developed, expanding academic exchanges and joint publishing activities between the two institutions. Within this framework, 8 students from ASPU were given the opportunity to study at UPa, while simultaneously, 20 teachers from ASPU engaged in training and teaching at the University of Pardubice. The partnership was not limited to outbound activities from ASPU to Pardubice; UPa reciprocally sent academic staff and students to ASPU to engage in teaching and exchange programs. 10 instructors from UPa led training and instruction at ASPU, enriching the educational environment and introducing new methods and perspectives. Additionally, 7 students from UPa participated in exchange programs at ASPU, further strengthening educational ties and fostering cultural understanding between the two institutions.

The collaboration extended beyond traditional academic exchanges to include joint initiatives, such as the summer school programs of both universities. These programs not only facilitate cultural exchange but also provide opportunities for interdisciplinary education and collaboration.

As part of their joint research and publishing efforts, ASPU and UPa developed the first comparative professional study within the ERASMUS+ project in 2023, titled “Inclusive Education in Armenia and the Czech Republic – Parallels and Comparisons.” The jointly implemented project specifically aimed to support the internationalization of research and the development of academic and scientific staff at ASPU – Faculty of Special Education and Psychology in Yerevan, and UPa – Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Education Sciences, in the field of inclusive special education and inclusive learning.

The main goal of the comparative study was to map the current situation and identify challenges in the field of inclusive special education and inclusive learning in Armenia and the Czech Republic, across age categories from inclusive early intervention (early care) to inclusive tertiary education.

The mentioned comparative study emphasized the critical role in the international mobility of students and academic staff, especially within a multicultural environment and at internationalized educational institutions. The significant added value of such a study also lies in enhancing awareness of alternatives, learning from the experiences of others, inspiration, critical reflection on pedagogical practice, and the potential for improving solutions to one's own scientific research problems.

Currently, teams from ASPU and UP are collaborating on a second monograph, thereby demonstrating their ongoing commitment to excellence in education and intercultural understanding.

ASPU has also initiated a significant collaboration with Masaryk University in Brno (MU), specifically with the Department of Special and Inclusive Education at the Faculty of Education. This collaboration focuses mainly on the fields of special and inclusive education and environmental education. This partnership was launched in 2023 with the T4GREEN program (Transforming Teacher Education for Green and Digital Transition) under the Erasmus+ program, prioritizing sustainability and green initiatives. Activities essential for creating exchange programs for educational staff in the field of special and inclusive education are already underway. The goal of these programs is to facilitate intercultural educational experiences and promote best practices in this area. Simultaneously, the T4GREEN program aims to support a deeper understanding of environmental challenges through interdisciplinary cooperation. It includes inbound and outbound exchanges of teachers and students, allowing them to explore innovative solutions and contribute to sustainable practices.

The program was launched with an international conference at ASPU, and over a three-year research period, it will involve 13 universities and organizations from Armenia and other countries, including the Czech Republic, Spain, Portugal, Moldova, and more.

Three main areas will undergo transformation and revision, including foreign languages, special education and inclusion, and programmatic approaches in the fields of natural sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The expected outcome is a revised five-year plan for bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, as well as two short-term credit programs based on modern criteria.

According to the Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, Zhanna Andreasyan, higher education reforms play a pivotal role, and thus the conceptual document on teacher education created within the Project could become a reference document in Armenia and abroad.

The project coordinator from ASPU, the Vice-Rector for Human Resources and International Cooperation, Marianna Harutyunyan, stated that as part of the program implementation, a National Concept of Teacher Education (NCTE) for the years 2027–2035 will be developed. It aims to support the transition from traditional to future, environmentally focused, and digital education programs that meet STEM standards, and will also develop education methods that help modernize teacher education at the national level.

Michaela Jeřábková, Deputy Ambassador

Sources:

ASPU – Vice-Rector for Human Resources and International Cooperation, Marianna Ruben Harutyunyan, PhD.

UPa – Faculty of Philosophy – PaedDr. Zdenka Šándorová, Ph.D.

MU – Faculty of Education – doc. PhDr. Barbora Bazalová, Ph.D.

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*) The Khachatur Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University was founded on November 7, 1922. In 1948, it was named after the great Armenian enlightener and educator Khachatur Abovian.