Yerevan Haybusak University (YHU) was founded in 1991 in times of the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the restoration of the independence of Armenia. Responding to the challenges of the emerging education system for the newly independent country and with its primary goal of creating an accessible academic environment for applicants, regardless of their financial capabilities, the University became a centre for new thinking and academic and professional development. Today Haybusak is a new type of educational institution that combines the best aspects and qualities of private and public education, providing all participants with the opportunity for self-realisation, both as specialists, creative thinkers and contributorsto the life of their communities. It is a multidisciplinary university complex comprising four institutes and 40 clinical and specialised centres. For more than 30 years of its history, YHU has established itself as a reliable partner, an experienced guide and a friend of its alumni. We provide education in 18 specialities. For many years, alongside the academic knowledge and professional skills of our students, we have been developing their social competencies, responsibility, and understanding of the social significance of their future profession, analytical thinking, due care, and ability to find solutions in non-standard situations, ability to critically judge their study dynamics and professional advantages and shortcomings as well as teamwork skills. Haybusak is the only University in Armenia that gives medical, juridical, humanitarian, economic and applied decorative (design) education. Our students have the ultimate opportunity to acquire and deepen secondary competencies besides their primary specialisation. Due to this symbiosis, they participate in joint projects, scientific conferences, and international grants. With academic research activities carried out in different directions, we organised scientific conferences and published collections of articles. Our faculty often published educational and methodological manuals and their scientific research results on well-known print platforms such as Scopus, Web of Science.
Having decided on the strategic goals and objectives, we have also developed an action plan for our scientific projects and mechanisms for the quality control of academic staff as one of the key elements in the educational process. Over the past three years, we have re-equipped our specialised bases for developing skills and competencies. In 2019, the foundation was laid for creating a simulation centre for medical students. Its development continues to this day, making it possible for the University to participate in the international grant Erasmus SAFEMED+. The dental clinic, which served as a base for developing the competencies and skills of the students, became a polyclinic structure for providing services to the population. Work is actively carried out in the Psychological Service Centre, as well as in the Juridical Lab. The University is becoming one of the sources of innovation and technology, and its practical importance for developing the economy and promoting the country in international markets is evident. YHU participated in dozens of international educational exhibitions (Moscow, Aleppo, Damascus, Beirut, Tbilisi, Kyiv, Yerevan, etc.) and received different awards for education quality. The success of the University is explained by many factors, including an effective management system. Based on the experience of the world’s leading universities, we introduced a shared governance model of participation in the University’s management. With such a system, all groups within the University act as partners, not merely performers. Thus, YHU enjoys collegiality and participatory governance – a combination of the executive power with councils of the institutes comprised of the professors, the staff, and students. An essential role in the effective management of YHU is played by the authority of the rector, who combines wisdom, honesty, tolerance, love, and an individual approach to students. As a result, the University’s motto “collective spirit is more important than competing” is successfully working. Our students and other stakeholders are actively involved in the joint management of the University. Many of the employers are our graduates who attained recognition in their field of activity. With their knowledge of modern market challenges, they help us define the development objectives. Our students, in addition to the student council, are also involved in the scientific council, university council, and institute councils.
Our vision is thousands of talented, knowledgeable, and responsible professionals and scientists educated in a free academic space who consistently improve the well-being of people and communities and care for the environment. Following that vision, the University aspires to become a leading educational institution and research centre in Armenia with internationally recognised education quality. Our students will learn from renowned scientists and lecturers from leading world universities, representatives of successful businesses, and international and national organisation.
