The visit took place as part of an initiative aimed at supporting the internationalisation of the Catholic University in Ružomberok within the project Development and Sustainability of the EURAXESS Centre at the Catholic University in Ružomberok. Its aim was to develop contacts with important Armenian higher education institutions, build on existing cooperation, identify new partnership opportunities, and support the international visibility of KU.

The programme focused on meetings with two important universities in Yerevan – Yerevan State University and Khachatur Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University. Both institutions are important actors in the Armenian higher education environment and represent promising partners for the development of academic mobility, research cooperation, joint professional activities, and intercultural dialogue.

The activities in Armenia built on previous cooperation between the Catholic University in Ružomberok and Armenian universities within the Erasmus+ KA171 – International Credit Mobility programme, which enables the development of academic cooperation with partner countries outside the European Union.

Yerevan State University is one of the most important and oldest higher education institutions in Armenia. It was founded in 1919 and has played a significant role in the development of Armenian higher education, science, and culture. The university provides education in a wide range of fields, particularly in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, economics, and other disciplines.

A working meeting was held at Yerevan State University with Dr. Naira Mnatsakanyan, Deputy Head of Department at the YSU International Cooperation Office. The meeting focused on existing cooperation within the Erasmus+ KA171 programme and opportunities for its further development. Particular attention was paid to academic mobility, the exchange of students, teachers, researchers, and administrative staff, as well as opportunities for preparing joint projects and research activities.

Dr. Naira Mnatsakanyan also pointed out current changes in applicants’ interest in study programmes at Yerevan State University. She stated that there is currently increased demand mainly for programmes in the humanities and social sciences, particularly psychology, sociology, and social work. Interest also remains strong in the field of economics, especially management. These trends create space for new forms of cooperation with foreign partners in related study and research areas.

Another important topic was the tightening of conditions for the implementation of international mobility, especially student mobility. In this context, the need for more thorough preparation of participants, clearly defined academic expectations, responsible student selection, and effective communication between the sending and receiving institutions was emphasised. Staff mobility was identified as a very effective tool for developing cooperation, as it enables a deeper exchange of experience and the preparation of concrete forms of academic, project, or research cooperation.

Yerevan State University considers internationalisation to be one of its important priorities, placing particular emphasis on its research dimension. The university is interested in developing international research contacts, participating in joint projects, and strengthening scientific cooperation with foreign partners. In the pedagogical field, it is particularly interested in creating joint study programmes with foreign universities.

The second institution visited was Khachatur Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University, one of the key pedagogical universities in Armenia. The university was founded in 1922, and its historical mission is closely connected with the preparation of teachers, educators, and professionals working in the field of education. In 1948, it was named after Khachatur Abovian, an important Armenian writer, educator, and representative of modernisation efforts.

A meeting was held at the university with Gayane Hovhannisyan, who works in the field of international cooperation and project management at the Armenian pedagogical university. The discussion focused on the presentation of the university, its pedagogical profile, opportunities for international cooperation, and prospects for future partnership with the Catholic University in Ružomberok.

Khachatur Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University expressed interest in signing a memorandum of future cooperation with the Catholic University in Ružomberok. Such a memorandum could create a more stable framework for the further development of partnership relations, especially in the areas of academic mobility, exchange of experience, professional events, and joint project activities.

Particular interest was expressed in cooperation in the fields of general and special pedagogy. This area represents a natural intersection between the professional focus of the Armenian pedagogical university and the opportunities offered by the Catholic University in Ružomberok, particularly in the preparation of teachers, support for inclusive education, development of methodological competences, and exchange of examples of good practice.

Another important topic was the possibility of cooperation on the preparation of an Armenian-Slovak dictionary. Such an output could have practical significance in facilitating the mobility of Armenian students and staff in Slovakia, especially in terms of basic language orientation, academic communication, and everyday functioning in the Slovak environment. At the same time, the dictionary could contribute to introducing Armenian culture to the Slovak academic public and support broader intercultural dialogue between the two university environments.

The activities carried out in Armenia contributed to strengthening the international visibility of the Catholic University in Ružomberok and expanding its network of partners outside the countries of the European Union. They also supported the objectives of the project Development and Sustainability of the EURAXESS Centre at the Catholic University in Ružomberok, particularly in the area of creating conditions to support international academic and research staff.

Armenia represents an interesting academic and cultural space where European, Caucasian, and Christian educational traditions meet. Cooperation with Armenian universities, therefore, brings not only opportunities in the field of mobility and projects but also space for cultural, value-based, and academic dialogue.

The visit to Armenian universities confirmed that the existing contacts between the Catholic University in Ružomberok and Armenian partners have the potential to develop further into concrete and sustainable forms of cooperation. The Catholic University in Ružomberok thus continues to build an open, internationally orientated university environment that supports academic mobility, research cooperation, intercultural understanding, and high-quality partnerships with foreign institutions.