News - Queen Mathilde of Belgium and the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan visited YSU.

During her working visit to Armenia, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, accompanied by the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Joanna Andreasyan, today visited Yerevan State University, according to the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports. In the hall of the university's Scientific Council she met with the university's teaching and research staff as well as students from the faculties of Sociology, Law, International Relations, Geography and Earth Sciences, Economics and Management, and Biology. During the discussions they shared their ideas and approaches related to possibilities for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. The Minister Joanna Andreasyan welcomed the high guest and stressed the importance of the visit to the Republic of Armenia, in particular to Yerevan State University. She noted that the Belgian queen, as a promoter of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, plays an important role in the global agenda by promoting the values of education, social solidarity, and sustainable development. The values of sustainable development fully correspond to Armenia's national priorities, particularly in education and youth empowerment, she said, emphasizing that the Ministry is committed to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, as reflected in the Ministry's strategic policy document and sectoral programs. Andreasyan expressed confidence that the Belgian queen's visit will strengthen bilateral cooperation and open new opportunities for realizing the Sustainable Development Goals. Our efforts are especially focused on ensuring inclusive and quality education, promoting innovation and research, encouraging cultural diversity, and increasing youth participation, all of which are important components of sustainable development, she noted. The Belgian queen, in her speech, stressed that education is a fundamental right for everyone. Education contributes to personal development and is a key to a better future for billions. The United Nations has proclaimed education as a priority among sustainable development goals to be achieved by 2030, and she added that having an educated youth represents enormous potential. In her view, high quality, timely accessible education must be a priority, as it forms the basis of a social state and the development of human capital. Education for girls and women is also an important means of empowerment and fighting gender discrimination. I will tomorrow visit a preschool to emphasize the importance of starting every child's education early, the Belgian queen said. She noted that educational systems have faced enormous and complex challenges in recent years, for example five years ago COVID disrupted and created many problems; in conflict zones teaching processes have also been interrupted, making young people more vulnerable. The Belgian queen also touched on the impact of artificial intelligence on teaching, recalling UN Secretary General António Guterres remarks at the United Nations General Assembly that technology should be our servant, not our master. Yerevan State University Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, welcoming the high guest, outlined the university's work, ongoing programs, and recent achievements. Within its mission, YSU addresses various problems including quality education, research and innovation, and public services. As Armenia's leading academic and research center, YSU recognizes its responsibility and commitment to promoting sustainable development principles and ideas through educational and research activities, the rector said. During the meeting at the YSU Academic Council Hall, the Belgian queen was presented with a commemorative coin marking YSU's centennial anniversary. After the meeting in the YSU Academic Council Hall, a discussion was held in the rector's office, where the queen held more direct conversations with several students. The meeting provided an opportunity to hear students' ideas and opinions and to discuss initiatives aimed at sustainable development goals. During the official visit to Armenia, the Belgian queen will also visit the Tumo Creative Technologies Center accompanied by Minister Joanna Andreasyan. The high level guests toured the center, learned about its activities, inquired about the educational programs, and spoke with students. They also followed Tumo's musical project Zrangi band performances. As a promoter of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Belgian queen's working visit to Armenia will continue until October 15.