Next Year, All Yerevan State University Buildings Will Have Ramps

Next year, ramps will be constructed in all buildings of Yerevan State University. This was stated today by Acting Rector Gegham Gevorgyan during a conference at YSU on the theme "Social Work and the Current Agenda of Dignified Social Protection in Armenia."

"We have included funds for the construction of ramps in our expenses for the next year. It is true that there are many ramps in Yerevan, but most of them resemble attractions because they are simply inaccessible. We will build ramps that meet all standards at YSU," he said.

According to him, next year they will also attempt to build elevators in buildings where they do not exist. The rector noted that there are currently students with mobility issues, and their classes are organized on the ground floors.

Gevorgyan also mentioned that they are providing funding for students and specialists who assist other students with various issues in meeting their educational needs. For example, those who accompany students with mobility issues to classrooms or support those with visual impairments in lesson preparation are compensated with additional pay.

The Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Zaruhi Batoyan, also mentioned that unfortunately, the social work institution in Armenia has mostly developed at the academic level, but it has not found practical application to the extent needed. According to the minister, for example, the sociology department, which later became the social work department, has been operating at YSU for 25 years, and certainly more should have been done in establishing the institute of social work.

"The policy of the Government of Armenia and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs should be based on needs assessment and the development of corresponding services. In this sense, we value the experience and knowledge of social workers, as well as cooperation with us. The importance of social work is relevant not only in terms of solving problems but also in preventing those issues," she said.

It is worth reminding that November 4th is celebrated in Armenia as Social Worker Day. The work of a social worker is aimed at addressing the social issues faced by vulnerable groups of individuals and the population.