From Vanadzor to Darmstadt: Vanadzor State University Group at the Summer School
In March 2025, within the framework of a DAAD project, Vanadzor State University hosted partners from the University of Applied Sciences, Darmstadt (Germany) — Marina Metz and Elke Schimpf. As a result of the cooperation established during this visit, representatives of our university were invited to Darmstadt to participate in the International Summer Scientific School.
From July 10 to 17, 2025, a delegation from Vanadzor State University attended the University of Darmstadt to take part in the international summer scientific school, which brought together 37 participants from bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs representing Armenia, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The participants were united by the shared goal of exchanging knowledge, engaging in joint discussions, and establishing academic connections.
Under the inspiring motto “Creating Spaces: Sustainability and Responsibility in an International Context”, international guests, German colleagues, and students held seminars and discussions, presented their research projects, and created a favorable environment for mutual learning and collaboration.
Representatives of our university group delivered presentations on the following topics:
- “Biological Age” (Shushan Karyan, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biology, PhD in Biological Sciences),
- “Humor in Different Cultures” (Mariam Khalatyan, Faculty of Humanities),
- “Insuring the Unpredictable: Global Experience in Natural Disaster Insurance” (Anahit Dallakyan, Faculty of Natural Sciences),
- “Behavioral Economics” (Lilit Khachatryan, Faculty of Social Sciences).
As part of the cultural program, the university’s delegation also presented an informative slideshow about Armenia, Vanadzor, and our university.
The summer school was also enriched with cultural and recreational activities, including a tour of the University of Darmstadt and its historical sites, excursions to Frankfurt, Treysa, and Marburg, as well as a karaoke evening, during which each country showcased its national songs and dances, followed by presentations of their culinary traditions.
This initiative was carried out with the support of the Scientific Committee, which included Professor Dr. Elke Schimpf, Professor Dr. Marina Metz, Dr. Michael Villein, Professor Dr. Gottlind Ulshöfer, and the EHD International Office.
We extend our sincere gratitude for the effective cooperation and warm hospitality.
