The department gave the opportunity to prepare experts on the Diaspora and there truly was a lack of them. To acknowledge the Diaspora with its 7 million members and its key issues, there was a need to study the history of the Diaspora and the various spheres of Diaspora Armenian community life, including history, politics, economy and culture.

The Department of Diaspora Studies is now a success. Despite its short existence, it is substantial and has a past, present and a promising future and it was this last “triangle” (past, present and future) that became the topic of discussion with Head of the YSU Department of Diaspora Studies, Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor Yuri Avetisyan.

“Hayernaysor”: Mr. Avetisyan, is there truly a large number of students interested in studying the Diaspora?

Yuri Avetisyan: The number of students is growing rapidly every year because the profession is new, interesting, perspective, as well as patriotic.

“Hayernaysor”: Who are the professors? What is the main emphasis on?

Y. A.: Our professors are well-trained professionals. We have renowned historians, good experts on Western Armenian language, guest professors and historians who are also experts on the Diaspora. The main emphasis is on ensuring high quality and the department has all the preconditions for that. The department has different subjects, including History of Armenian Communities, Diaspora Armenian Literature, Western Armenian Language and History of Diaspora Armenian Media.

“Hayernaysor”: Where do the students do their internship, here or in the Diaspora…?

Y. A.: They do their internship at the Ministry of Diaspora by participating in the “Ari Tun” program. They don’t have a special internship program during their course of study. If possible, we will organize internships in Diaspora Armenian communities.

“Hayernaysor”: Where will the graduates work?

Y. A.: The department is not obliged to provide the graduates with jobs, but the Minister of Diaspora has promised to help. Our graduates can work at the ministry, newspaper or magazine editions and may also work as Western Armenian language teachers.

“Hayernaysor”: Does the department have guest professors?

Y. A.: We invite the professors from the Academy, the Ministry of Diaspora, as well as different faculties and departments, including Theology, Journalism and more. The department needs huge funding to invite experts from abroad. Of course, there have been and there still are lectures with intellectuals and public-political figures. We have hosted lectures by representatives of the Armenian communities of Germany and Sweden, editor of Istanbul-based “Jamanak” daily newspaper Ara Gochunian, Andranik Dakesian from the Haigazian University of Beirut and Vice-President of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, Hovik Eordekian.

“Hayernaysor”: How many graduates does the department have?

Y. A.: We currently have 11 graduates who are very well-trained and are capable of working in Armenia and the Diaspora with their knowledge and experience.

“Hayernaysor”: Who supports the department?

Y. A.: The rector of our university and the Ministry of Diaspora, which helps us with funding and covers the tuitions for 10 students. We have 55 spots of which 2 are by state order. We are looking forward to accepting the best students who are ready to indulge in the significant and patriotic act of studying the Diaspora and acquire the skills of this profession.

“Hayernaysor”: What events does the department organize? Does the department participate in the events and conferences organized by the Ministry of Diaspora?

Y. A.: Both professors and students take part in the forums and conferences. Last year on July 2, our students and professors participated in a three-day conference on “The State of Instruction of Western Armenian in the Diaspora” in Tsakhkadzor.

In March 2010, the Ministry of Diaspora and the YSU organized a debate on “The Future of Western Armenian Language” with the participation of our department professors. In April 2010, the department participated in a two-day conference on “The Preservation of Qualities of Armenian Identity in Mixed Marriages”.
“Hayernaysor”: What are the department’s plans for the future?

Y. A.: The department is preparing to hold a conference devoted to Metsarents with the Armenian Literature Department in the fall and we recently celebrated Hakob Oshakan’s anniversary.

“Hayernaysor”: What about the Bachelor’s degree?

Y. A.: We will also have a BA program since the MA program is already established and successful.
“Hayernaysor”: Who studies at the department? Which faculties are they from?

Y. A.: Our students are mainly graduates of the Armenian Philology Faculty, but we also have historians, graduates of the Theater Institute and the Linguistic University after Brusov and even a biologist.

“Hayernaysor”: What difficulties does the department face and what are the desires?

Y. A.: The department faces the difficulty of organizing mutual visits. I attach great importance to our students’ visits to the Diaspora where they will have a feel of the sphere and communicate on the spot. As for wishes, there is a demand for good experts who know the Diaspora well and have good command of Western Armenian. We also look forward to support from the Diaspora in making the department more efficient and making it serve its purpose.

“Hayernaysor”: Well, I would like to see the Department of Diaspora Studies expand its borders and solve all thorny issues that create obstacles.

Interview by Karine Avagyan