As part of the “Academic City” project, the Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture and Sport today hosted members of the expert group from University College London (UCL) — Simon Walker, Sam Smidt, and Claire Gordon — as well as representatives of the “Academic City” Foundation: Hasmik Kyureghyan, Anna Sargsyan, Talin Saghdasaryan, and Marianna Achemyan.

The guests held a meeting with ASIPCS Rector Tigran Simonyan, who presented the academic programs currently offered at the HEI. He noted that ASIPCS provides a three-cycle education system, ranging from bachelor’s to postgraduate studies. The Rector also spoke about ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of education, as well as the professional fields in which graduates are able to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies.

Subsequently, the members of the working group met with the Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs, Tigran Petrosyan, and the Scientific Secretary, Ashot Chatinyan. The parties addressed the organization of scientific and research activities at the Institute, relevant procedures and regulatory frameworks, and presented data on the applicability and outcomes of the research conducted.

The expert group attended both theoretical and practical classes delivered at the HEI (including gymnastics, wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, chess, sports psychology, sport journalism, nutrition, human anatomy, healthy lifestyle studies, etc.), thereby gaining comprehensive insight into the instructional processes and applied methodologies.

In the second half of the day, the guests held meetings with the deans of the Training and Pedagogical Faculty and the Faculty of Physical Education, Sports Tourism and Health Technologies, heads of specialized chairs, staff of the Quality Assurance and Reforms Department, as well as members of the academic teaching staff. A separate meeting was also organized with representatives of the student body, during which students introduced their views and levels of satisfaction regarding teaching and learning methods.

The expert group also expressed interest in the HEI’s collaborative relationships with sectoral and employer organizations. To this end, discussions were conducted with representatives of rehabilitation centers, presidents of sports federations, directors of sports organizations and sports schools. The procedures through which the HEI involves sector experts and federation representatives in curriculum review and teaching activities were outlined.

The meetings of the representatives of UCL and the “Academic City” project concluded with discussions with members of the AIPCS Board of Trustees. The guests were briefed on the importance of implementing Board-adopted decisions aimed at strengthening institutional governance and advancing strategic reforms, as well as the oversight and accountability mechanisms applied in this regard.