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  • Haigazian University in Beirut

    HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY IN BEIRUT

    http://www.noravank.am/eng/articles/detail.php?ELEMENT_ID=6949
    07.03.2013

    Tigran Ghanalanyan

    Expert of the Center for Armenian Studies, `Noravank' Foundation
    Among the educational institutions of the Armenian Diaspora Beirut's
    Haigazian University - the only higher educational institution in the
    Diaspora - holds a prominent place.

    After the formation of the Diaspora one of the main challenges the
    Armenian Evangelical Church faced was the organization of the
    education process in the Armenian communities. The Armenian
    Evangelical educational institutions played an important role in the
    educational sphere of the Armenian Diaspora which has manifested
    itself best of all in the activity of Haigazian University.

    Haigazian University in Beirut was established in 1955 as a college
    with English as a language of instruction. It was named after the
    former head of the gymnasium in Konia Armenag Haigazian.

    It was founded by the Armenian Missionary Association of America
    (AMAA) and Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East
    (UAECNE). The university is managed by the board of trustees, 2/3 of
    which consists of the representatives of the AMAA and 1/3 of the
    representatives of the UAECNE. On March 25, 1966 the Ministry of
    Education of Lebanon recognized the Haigazian College as an
    institution of higher education. The B.A. and B.S. degrees granted by
    the college were recognized to be equivalent to the license granted by
    the Lebanese University. In 1996 the Haigazian College was authorized
    to offer several graduate programs at the master's level and be called
    Haigazian University1.

    In 1955-1989 Haigazian was a college; in 1990-1996 - College
    University and since 1996 it has been a university. And though the
    language of instruction is English the subjects referring to Armenian
    and Arab cultures are taught correspondingly in Armenian and Arabic.
    There are many Armenian students and students of other nationalities
    >From Lebanon and other countries of the Middles East studying at the
    university. In the first year after its foundation the number of the
    students was 43, in 1975-1976 - 650, and in 2003 - 543. The main
    purpose of founding this university was to provide the Armenian
    communities in the Middle East with high-quality teachers,
    intellectuals and ministers of the Armenian Evangelical Church. In
    1996 Haigazian started granting Masters Degrees in pedagogy,
    psychology and management. Haigazian University has the Department of
    Armenian Studies which activity has been greatly contributed by Rev.
    Dikran Kherlopian, Dikran kuyumjian, Vahe Oshagan, Yervant Kassouny,
    Levon Vardan and other. Today all the Armenian students of the
    university must follow at least two subjects relating to the Armenian
    studies. Haigazian University has separate Armenian Library which is
    supplemented every year by the books in Armenian and in other
    languages bought from Armenia and other countries. Since 1970 the
    university has been publishing `Haigazian Armenological Review',
    `Haigazian Herald' (in English) student produced newspaper and `Focus'
    (in English) student yearbook2. Besides, the following periodicals are
    also placed on the web-site of Haigazian - INSPIRIT - The Haigazian
    University Newsletter and HUBS Business Review3. There are a number of
    student clubs and associations in the university.

    The most remarkable among the Armenian periodicals is, of course,
    `Haigazian Armenological Review' which was started in 1970. The
    editorial of the first issue of `Haigazian Armenological Review'
    reads: `By initiating the HAIGAZIAN ARMENOLOGICAL REVIEW the
    Department of the Armenian Studies of Haigazian College took another
    step for fulfilling its mission. We believe in the necessity and right
    of existence of such a periodical just as we believe that it can turn
    into a meeting place for our intelligentsia interested in different
    issues of Armenology. It is safe to say that publishing of HAIGAZIAN
    ARMENOLOGICAL REVIEW will even more stimulate interest and excitement
    which has been shown recently in regard to the Armenology as well as
    it will be an impulse for a new quest and researches. The strength and
    capabilities from abroad, undoubtedly, do not run out. Of course, we
    seek cooperation between the representatives of Armenian
    intelligentsia. The pages of HAIGAZIAN ARMENOLOGICAL REVIEW will be
    open for those who are aware of the price of the substantiated and
    objective words'4.

    The following persons occupied the post of the president of Haigazian
    University - Dr. John Markarian (1955-1966, 1972-1982), Dr. Gilbert
    Bilezikian (1967-1971), Dr. Verne Fletcher (1983-1985), Rev. Dr. John
    Khanjian (1995-2002) and Rev. Paul Ara Haidostian (2002 - present). In
    1966-1968 Joseph Spredley was the acting president and in 1985-1995
    the university was managed by Vilma Cholakian5. Big role in the
    establishment of Haigazian University was played by Rev. Dikran
    Kherlopian who was the first head of the Department of the Armenian
    Studies at the university.

    The graduates of the university receive Bachelor and Master Degrees
    which are recognized by the government of Lebanon and Association of
    American Colleges and Universities.

    Haigazian has two directions of teaching (schools): 1. Science and
    humanities; 2. Business Administration and Management. The school of
    science and humanities includes three faculties - Faculty of Sciences
    - Division of Natural Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Medical Laboratory
    Sciences, Nutrition Sciences and Dietetics, Physics) and Division of
    Mathematical Sciences (Computer Science, Mathematics). The other one
    is the Faculty of Social Sciences which includes sociology,
    psychology, social work, political science and education. In the
    spheres of psychology and education both the BA and MA Degrees are
    granted. As for the Faculty of Humanities it includes Arabic, Armenian
    studies, English, English literature, history, music, philosophy,
    religion, art and intercultural studies. The Faculty of Business
    Administration and Management plays an important role as a center for
    business education and study. All the leading programs of the faculty
    are accredited by the Ministry of Education of Lebanon. Today the
    faculty grants BBA and BA degrees putting stress on bookkeeping,
    tourism and information system management, finances, advertising and
    communications6.

    The university also pays attention to the spiritual development of the
    students so there is a special position of a Campus Minister. Besides
    the spiritual sphere the other important mission of the university is
    to preserve the Armenian language and culture. The Department of the
    Armenian studies grants the academic degree in this sphere and is
    designed to provide a solid academic foundation in Armenian letters,
    history, politics, and culture. The program intends to prepare
    students for teaching in Armenian schools and for community service
    and leadership, as well as for graduate studies. This Department
    provides the Armenian component of the general education program too.
    It also helps the Armenian library, publishes researches and holds
    public lectures and cultural events.

    The subjects relating to the history, literature, political issues of
    Lebanon are emphasized in the educational programs. Lecturers and
    student groups initiate visits to historic places.

    In 2005 the 50th anniversary of the university was celebrated. The
    guest-list of the event underlines the importance of the university:
    the members of the Lebanese government, the representative of Lebanese
    president's office, the member of the Lebanese parliament Hakob
    Bagratouni, the representatives of the prime-minister and Ministry of
    Education, the Head of the Lebanon Dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic
    Church Bishop Vardan Ashakarian, the president of Union of the
    Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East Rev. Megerdich
    Karageozian, the rector of the YSU Radik Martirosyan, Head of the
    Armenian Evangelical Church Rene Levonian, the executive director of
    the AMAA Andy Torigian and others. The delegations from Armenia, U.S.,
    Canada, Iran, Cyprus and Syria were present. The then Minister of
    Foreign Affairs of Armenia Vardan Oskanyan was the honorary guest7.

    The eager cooperation of Haigazian University with the educational
    institutions from Armenia is important. The relations with the
    institutions from Armenia are of special significance. In this aspect
    the cooperation of Haigazian with the Yerevan State University should
    be mentioned. On October 3, 2009 cooperation agreement was signed by
    the president of Haigazian University Paul Haidostian and the rector
    of the YSU Aram Simonyan: `Both universities acknowledging that
    cooperation for the academic and educational purposes is irreplaceable
    stimulus for their development undertake the responsibility to create
    all the conditions for the exchange of their employees, students and
    publications' 8.

    The important role in the activity of the Haigazian University is
    taken by the AMAA. It particularly stands out for its financial
    support. From the very beginning the founders of the university tended
    to create the opportunity for the students from Armenian Diaspora who
    wanted to receive education but did not have sufficient material means
    to get it. Due to the scholarship fund no prepared applicant is
    rejected to receive education9. Today the doors of the university are
    opened for anyone, despite his/her religious or national affiliations.

    It is necessary to mention that many of the graduates of Haigazian
    University hold appointments in different organization in the Armenian
    Diaspora. It is remarkable that the graduates of the university are
    eagerly involved in the community life of not only Armenian community
    in Lebanon but also in the Armenian community organization in other
    countries10.

    >From the point of view of the development of the university the campus
    and material and technical resources are important. In this aspect the
    reconstruction of the building of the university is remarkable. On
    April 29, 2010 the new repaired building opening ceremony on which the
    prime-minister of Lebanon was present took place11.

    In 2011 the number of the Haigazian students was 800, the number of
    university faculty exceeds 100 and the number of the administrative
    staff is 55. Therefore the number of the university graduates has been
    3 thousand people12. The ethnic composition of the students of the
    university is remarkable. As it was mentioned before there is no
    ethnic discrimination on behalf of the university. Thus, according to
    the data for 2007 51% of the students of the university were the
    Armenians and 49% - foreigners13.

    Among the researches carried out by Haigazian University the studies
    referring to different problems of the Armenian Diaspora have always
    stood out. In order to make this works more organized and
    comprehensive in 2012 the Armenian Diaspora Research Center was
    founded.

    On January 25, 2012 the opening of the Armenian Diaspora Research
    Center took place. The representative character of the participants of
    this event proves its significance. In particular the Head of the
    Armenian Dioceses in Lebanon Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, the
    extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of Armenia to Lebanon
    Ashot Kocharyan, the former president of the Lebanon University,
    ex-minister Dr. Adnan Seyit Husseini, members of parliament, the
    representatives of national, partisan unions, etc. were present.
    President of university Dr. Paul Haidostian underlined the main
    importance of the Armenian Diaspora Research Center and said: `The
    availability of the exceptional cultural contribution of the
    Armenians, their marked and numerous presence in Lebanon promotes the
    perception of Haigazian as the most natural and consistent place for
    the study of the Armeniancy and Armenian Diaspora in the Near East'14.
    The director of the Center is Dr. Antranik Dakessian.

    Thus, Haigazian University in Beirut is one of the most remarkable
    educational institutions in the Armenian Diaspora. Being the only
    higher educational institution in Diaspora it stands out against the
    background of both Lebanese or generally Armenian Diaspora educational
    institutions and Armenian Evangelical educational facilities.

    Being established in 1955 as a college, Haigazian has a 57-years long
    history. Facing some obstacles it managed to develop in all necessary
    fields and become a university. As a higher educational establishment
    the university plays an important role in the life of the Armenian
    community in Lebanon which manifests itself in both passing necessary
    modern knowledge to the students and in providing their involvement in
    the Armenian language, history and culture. Working with the
    foreigners the university contributes to the presentation of the
    Armenian culture in the foreign environment.

    The development of the relations between Haigazian University and
    other educational institutions of the Armenian Diaspora is of great
    importance. It can contribute to the consolidation of ties not only
    between the educational institutions but also between the communities
    in general. Of course it will be difficult to underestimate eager
    cooperation of the university with the Armenian educational and
    academic institutions. The experience accumulated by Haigazian
    Univsersity can be useful for both organization of the educational
    process in different Armenian communities in Diaspora and in the
    aspect of the development of the educational system in Armenia.
    Despite the gradual weakening and decrease of the Armenian community
    in Lebanon, Haigazian University still has potential for the
    educational and research development.

    1 Armenian Evangelical Church, Yerevan, 2002, N 3, p. 5 (in Armenian)

    2 Encyclopedia of Armenian Diaspora, Yerevan, 2003, p. 305-306 (in Armenian)

    3 http://www.haigazian.edu.lb/Publications/Pages/Overview.aspx

    4 «Haigazian Armenological Review», Beirut, 1970, p. 7 (in Armenian)

    5 Encyclopedia of Armenian Diaspora, Yerevan, 2003, p. 306 (in Armenian)

    6 Armenian Evangelical Church, Yerevan, 2002, N 3, p. 6-7 (in Armenian)

    7 Ibid, 2005, N 3, p. 7:

    8 Idid, 2009, N 4, p. 18

    9 AMAA News, 2005, N 3, p. 2.

    10 Aniv, Moscow, 2009, N 3 (18), (in Russian)
    http://aniv.ru/archive/10/livanskie-eskizy134/

    11 Armenian Evangelical Church, Yerevan, 2010, N 2, p. 9:

    12 Ibid, 2011, N 4, p. 4:

    13 Forum, Glendale, 2007, N 2, p. 30.

    14 Opening of the Armenian Diaspora Research Center in Lebanon
    http://hayernaysor.am/1327564076


    `Globus' analytical journal, #2, 2013

    Return
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    From: A. Papazian
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