SMARTI FINAL PROJECT CONFERENCE
The SMARTI Final Project Conference took place from November 26-29, 2024, at the Armenian National Agrarian University (ANAU) in Yerevan, Armenia. The conference brought together international and local stakeholders to highlight the successful outcomes of efforts aimed at advancing English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across Europe and Armenia. The event combined in-person and online formats, ensuring accessibility and active participation throughout the sessions.
The conference commenced on November 26, with welcome speeches from ANAU Rector Hrachya Zaqoyan, Conference organizer Mariam Movsisyan, NEO Coordinator Lana Karlova, SMARTI Project Coordinator Gerard Cullen, PAARA Rector Khachatur Ghazeyan, and the National Lead Partner Liana Vardanyan. Representatives from the EACEA, Erasmus NEO, and the EU External Evaluator emphasized the transformative role of EMI in fostering international collaboration and improving academic standards. The day continued with presentations by EU partners on Work Packages 1–5, which highlighted key achievements and challenges encountered during the project’s implementation. A special session was dedicated to individual presentations from Armenian HEIs, where each institution delivered a 15-minute overview of their impact. The presentations focused on the metrics achieved by the institutions and the innovative courses and modules developed beyond the ten pilot modules. The Armenian project universities—PAARA, ANAU, VSU, GSU, and SUSh—highlighted their achievements and shared the progress they had made in advancing EMI, along with the development of new educational offerings. The day also included a tour of ANAU’s confectionery and beer brewing labs, followed by a session on accreditation and quality assurance. A significant milestone was the signing of cooperation agreements between Armenian and EU universities, ensuring the sustainability of EMI Centers beyond the project’s lifespan.
On November 27, the focus shifted to internal discussions on data collection and preparation for the project’s final report. These sessions were essential for comprehensively documenting the project’s impact. In the afternoon, participants had the opportunity to enjoy a cultural tour of Garni Temple and Geghard Monastery, which fostered camaraderie and provided a rich cultural exchange experience.
November 28 was marked by the key conference session titled “Changes and Best Practices in EMI across Europe and Armenia,” where experts from both Armenia and the EU presented on a variety of topics. During the session, Lusik Vardanyan, the local SMARTI Project Coordinator, presented on “The Importance of Academic Research and Writing Materials in EMI,” emphasizing the critical need for comprehensive resources to support lecturers and students in achieving academic excellence in EMI environments. She also briefly introduced the Erasmus+ DeSIRe Project, which is being coordinated by Vanadzor State University (VSU). Other presentations included Vivien Werner from TU Dresden, who discussed the future of EMI in the context of AI, and Dr. Audrey Stenson from IADT, Ireland, who addressed equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in EMI campuses. Panel discussions provided opportunities for Armenian and EU educators to share experiences and strategies for overcoming common challenges in implementing EMI.
The conference concluded on November 29 with the presentation of the SMARTI EMI Handbook, a key deliverable of the Project. Two versions were introduced: a concise international edition and a comprehensive version tailored to the Armenian context. The event wrapped up with reflections on the project’s achievements and discussions on the next steps for sustaining and expanding EMI initiatives.
Overall, the SMARTI Final Project Conference highlighted the transformative potential of EMI in modern education. It celebrated the collective efforts of Armenian and EU partners and laid a strong foundation for future innovations in international higher education. Participants from VSU included Rector Rustam Saakyan, local SMARTI Project Coordinator Lusik Vardanyan, Head of the Quality Assurance Centre Anna Khachatryan, and faculty members Gohar Dokholyan and Arine Danielyan.
