ASUE Hosts International Conference – “Institutions, Governance and Regional Development”

Today, Armenian State University of Economics (ASUE) hosted international conference entitled “Institutions, Governance and Regional Development” organized by the Caucasus Association of Regional Science in collaboration with ASUE.

The event brought together ASUE Faculty members, young researchers and students, as well as hosted local and foreign scholars, who made reports.

Anahit Harutyunyan, Executive Director of Caucasus Association of Regional Science, Vahan Movsisyan, Chairman of ASUE Board, Diana Galoyan, ASUE acting Rector, Doctor of Sciences, Professor, made opening speeches.

In her welcoming remarks, Anahit Harutyunyan emphasized the main purpose of the event: that’s, to provide a scientific platform for scholars and young researchers interested in regional economics and planning, regional and community development and related issues, thereby consolidating the scientific potential and contributing to its realization.

Diana Galoyan, welcoming the guests, noted that the University of Economics, which has chosen the path of reforms, has registered significant achievements in the field of science, in particular, ASUE AMBERD Research Center is among the World top 100 think tanks. Touching upon the topic of the conference, the acting Rector emphasized the role of high quality education in the equal regional development of the countries and expressed hope that this topic would be widely discussed during the conference.

Vahan Movsisyan welcomed the scientific initiative and emphasized, that it is a great event for the University to host foreign experts and get acquainted with the advanced European experience. The topic “Institutions, Governance and Regional Development” is actual for Armenia, cause we have a dynamically developing Yerevan and regions, where we have not yet registered significant economic progress”; Vahan Movsisyan stated evaluating the topic of the conference and urged the students to listen carefully to the reports, participate actively in the discussions, and work together to find ways for community development.

The solemn opening was followed by reports. The invited experts were the first to speak providing theoretical and applied knowledge on the basis of European advanced experience, explaining the specifics of community development.

Here are the reports presented:

• Peter Nijkamp (the Netherlands): “Regional Development through Knowledge-Based Clusters – Lessons from the Aviation Valley in Poland”,
• Tomaz Dentinho, University of the Azores, Portugal: “Methodological Tools for Sustainable Regional Development”,
• Ruben Hayrapetyan Armenian State University of Economics: “The Efficiency of Local Governance: Large or Small Municipalities”,
• Narek Kesoyan (ASUE): “The Models for Development of Armenian Provinces”.

Then panel discussion was held on “New Perspectives on Regional Development” attended by Tomaz Dentinho, Peter Nijkamp, Karima Kourtit, Zoya Tadevosyan, Vahe Bulanikyan, Narek Kesoyan, Albert Hayrapeyan.

Then reports were presented by Vahe Bulanikyan (ASUE), Albert Hayrapetyan (ASUE), Maria Sahakyan (Armenian-Russian University), Hriday CH. Sarma (Center for South Caucasus-South Asia Business Development).

The conference will run until the end of the working day. Important reports will be presented tomorrow. See the agenda.

International Relations Division of Foreign Relations Department coordinates the conference at ASUE.

ASUE Media and Public Relations Division