On October 3, a cooperation agreement was signed between Yerevan State University and the University of the Republic (Uruguay) in the office of the Rector of Yerevan State University. Rector Aram Simonyan’s guest was Rector of the University of the Republic (Uruguay), Professor Roberto Markarian, who was visiting Yerevan State University with his wife, Anna Maria Ferrari. Vice-Rectors of Yerevan State University Gegham Gevorgyan, Alexander Grigoryan and Ararat Malkhasyan and Head of the International Cooperation Department of Yerevan State University Alexander Margarov were also participating in the meeting, as reported the official website of Yerevan State University to Hayern Aysor.

The Rector greeted the guests, briefly presented the history of Yerevan State University and addressed the academic and educational activities, international cooperation, as well as the perspectives for development.

Roberto Markarian expressed gratitude for the cordial reception and stated that Armenian-Uruguayan relations have recently become stronger, adding that University of the Republic (Uruguay) is planning on opening a Chair of Armenian Studies.

The guest also presented the management system at the University of the Republic (Uruguay), stating that the rector, which is among the top 20 major positions of Uruguay, is elected by the employees of the University, as well as students and the representatives of alumni. Although the University receives funding from the state budget, it is independent.

The professor also stressed the fact that he was very impressed with the methods that Armenia’s general education schools apply to teach chess and expressed the desire to apply them in Uruguay.

At the end, the universities signed a cooperation agreement. The parties voiced hope that the agreement would be implemented and that the partnership would be active.

Let us add that Roberto Markarian also met with a number of high-ranking officials and visited the Mother See of Holy Etchmiazin. During the visit to Armenia, the professor will also visit the Chess Academy of Armenia, the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran) and TUMO Center for Creative Technologies.