The cooperation agreement between PPCU and the Armenian State Pedagogical University or ASPU, named after Khachatur Abovian has just turned one year old and while it was considered a milestone from the beginning, it has already brought fruition in October 2016.

PPCU has been promoting close and outstanding scientific and educational relations with Armenia and the Armenian cultural institutions. These connections were not only carefully maintained in the recent years, but also successfully reinforced during the spring of 2016. 

Due to the common intent and effort of Ruben MIRZAKHANYAN and Dr. SZUROMI Szabolcs DSc., the Armenian Studies Department was established in Piliscsaba on 21 October 2016 by Ruben MIRZAKHANYAN and Dr. FODOR György, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

The rapid development of the cooperation is well-represented by the sheer number of student and lecturer exchanges, as well as the ongoing preparation of the joint inter-institutional master program. 

The inauguration visitation was returned by PPCU from the 10th of March, during which the delegation visited the monastic complex of Geghard, which was founded by Gregory the Illuminator at the site of a sacred spring inside a cave, while the adjacent chapel was constructed from the 10th to the 13th century mainly from the generous donations of the Prosh family.

 After returning to Yerevan Dr. SZUROMI Szabolcs DSc. has awarded Ruben MIRZAKHANYAN with the honorary doctoral degree of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences for his outstanding scientific achievements in the field of Art history research and his exceptional work related to internalization. The new honorary doctorate was commended by Dr. KOVÁCS Bálint, Acting Head of the Armenian Studies Department. ASPU has presented PPCU’s new department with 300 books, of which 60 were the present of Catholicos Karekin II, the supreme head of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The representatives of PPCU have also conducted intensive negotiations about further collaboration opportunities in new areas and about the organization of the joint master program.

The heads of the two institutions were also invited to a private audience with Catholicos Karekin II at Echmiadzin. During the warm toned meeting, which extended significantly longer than the usual time frame dictated by the audience protocol, both Catholicos Karekin II and Dr. SZUROMI have expressed their joy over the budding relationship and have acknowledged the great role that this inter-institute cooperation holds between the two Churches.