AFISHE Scientific and Educational Laboratory Opened

AFISHE Scientific and Educational Laboratory Opened

On May 29, 2024, AFISHE scientific and educational laboratory was opened at Center for Zoology and Hydroecology of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia within the framework of Erasmus+ "Development of Aquaculture and Fisheries Education for Green Deal in Armenia and Ukraine: FROM EDUCATION TO ECOLOGY" (AFISHE) capacity building project.

AFISHE project was kicked off in January 2023, the main goal being the implementation of master's education in Armenia and Ukraine to train aquaculture and fishery management and relevant specialists related to this field.

"The project we are implementing is addressing urgent needs. There are many fish farms in Armenia, where qualified specialists are needed. This project is very promising and will definitely have its success. I wish everyone success. I hope that our collaboration will deepen even more", Armen Sargsyan, Director of International Scientific-Educational Center of NAS RA noted.

"Within the framework of AFISHE project, for the first time in Armenia, "Fish Farming" Master's degree program will be implemented at International Scientific-Educational Center of NAS RA and Armenian Agrarian University on the professional and scientific-technical basis of Center for Zoology and Hydroecology of NAS RA, where fish breeders, ichthyologists, and aquaculture specialists will be trained. The laboratory will serve the master's students of these educational institutions to conduct educational and practical classes," said Bardukh Gabrielyan, Head of Ichthyology Laboratory of Center for Zoology and Hydroecology of NAS RA.

"Today, our center is quite equipped with various scientific equipment, but this is the first time when a specialized educational laboratory is also established in the center within the framework of AFISHE project. This is a model of serious integration, when education is carried out both at the university and at the research organization. This is exactly the model we are talking about rejuvenating scientists. Today, we have students who come and have no knowledge in this field. It takes enough time to be able to bring them basic knowledge, to adapt it to the knowledge they need to practice specific science. And this is exactly the opportunity that we will not lose time and we will train our specialist very quickly and efficiently," sSargis Aghayan, Director of Center for Zoology and Hydroecology of NAS RA outlined.

Head of International Relations Department of Armenian National Agrarian University, Coordinator of AFISHE project, Garegin Hambardzumyan said: "This is one of those exceptional programs where it is not university-university cooperation, but universities and research organizations collaborate. There are  only very few such projects. I am glad that we are trying to develop research-based education." He said that such laboratories will soon be opened at Armenian National Agrarian University of Armenia and in the partner Ukrainian universities of the Project.

AFISHE project is implemented by Armenian National Agrarian University, International Scientific-Educational Center of NAS RA and Scientific Center for Zoology and Hydroecology of NAS RA. European partners are University of Dubrovnik, University of Porto, Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra. Ukrainian partners are Sumy National Agrarian University and National Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering.

Science Popularization and Public Relations Department of NAS RA

May 31, 2024 at 15:31