Yerevan State University Appoints New Pro-Rector

The temporary acting rector of Yerevan State University (YSU), Gegham Gevorgyan, has appointed Arthur Israelian as the pro-rector for international cooperation and public relations of the Yerevan State University Foundation. This was reported by YSU to NEWS.am.

Arthur Israelian graduated from the Faculty of Oriental Studies at YSU. From 1999 to 2000, he participated in a special course at the Arabic Language Institute in Damascus for foreigners. From 2002 to 2004, he studied in the Master’s program of the Department of Arab Studies at YSU's Faculty of Oriental Studies. From 2004 to 2007, he was a PhD student at the Department of History of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Damascus. In 2007, he defended his thesis titled “The Art of War during the Mamluk Bahri Era (1250-1382)” at the University of Damascus, earning a PhD in historical sciences.

Since 2008, Arthur Israelian has been a lecturer at the Department of Arab Studies at YSU. From 2010 to 2014, he was the founding head of the Department of Eastern Languages at Yerevan State Linguistic University. Since 2011, he has served as an associate professor at the Department of Diplomatic Service and Professional Communication at YSU, and since 2015, he has been the head of the Chinese Language and Culture Center at YSU. From 2014 to 2019, he was the deputy dean for external relations at the Faculty of International Relations at YSU. Between January and August 2019, he held the position of secretary of the Board of Trustees of YSU.

Arthur Israelian's research interests include Armenian-Arab historical and cultural relations, the Arab world in international relations, Islamic studies, Arab medieval history and culture, Korean studies, Chinese historiography, and writings. He has participated in several professional training programs and grant projects. In 2009, he received medals for “Arabic Language and Culture” and “15 Years of Armenian-Egyptian Diplomacy and Friendship” in Cairo, and in 2014, he was awarded a certificate of appreciation from the rector of YSU.

Arthur Israelian is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the “Armenian-Chinese Friendship School” foundation and the Scientific Council of the Faculty of International Relations at YSU.

Previously, it was reported that three pro-rectors of YSU—Menua Soghomonyan, Arsen Babajanyan, and Ruben Markosyan—were dismissed from their positions, and their posts were abolished. Structural changes are being made at the university, said YSU rector's spokesperson Gevorg Emin-Teryan.