The discussion event titled “Language and Homeland Stewardship” with Professor Hagop Ayntaplean—a distinguished physician, author, public intellectual, and honorary member of the New York Academy of Sciences—was imbued with Armenian spirit and cultural pride.
The event began with welcoming remarks from Zhora Jhangiryan, Founder and Rector of Yerevan Gladzor University, who expressed deep appreciation for Professor Ayntaplean’s longstanding contributions to professional, academic, and civic life in service of the Armenian cause. He also emphasized the significance of the professor’s willingness to engage with students on such a meaningful and timely topic.
A message of gratitude was delivered by Lilit Sahakyan, PhD in Philology, Associate Professor, and Chairperson of the Chair of Languages at YGU, who initiated the event and acknowledged Hellen Yeremyan for coordinating its organizational aspects.
The event was also attended by Svetlana Manucharyan, PhD in Philology, Associate Professor at the Chair of Languages; Eliza Hovhannisyan, Head of YGU’s Career Centre; and Anahit Hovhannisyan, Supervisor at Gladzor College.
Among the participants were students from various academic programs and levels, including:
• First-year students from the General Medicine and Dentistry programs
• First- and third-year students from the International Relations program
• First- and third-year students from Gladzor College
In his speech, Professor Ayntaplean addressed the importance of preserving the purity of the Armenian language, avoiding unnecessary foreign influences, and cultivating patriotism, national responsibility, and commitment to the homeland. He emphasized the value of building on Armenian soil and strengthening the nation through individual and collective contribution.
A lively Q&A session followed the lecture, allowing students to engage in meaningful dialogue with the guest speaker.
At the conclusion of the event, Rector Zhora Jhangiryan and Professor Ayntaplean exchanged authored books as tokens of mutual respect and academic collaboration. In addition, Professor Ayntaplean was presented with a copy of the educational manual Dialectology Course, authored by Svetlana Manucharyan, Associate Professor.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to hold a follow-up event, this time dedicated to the inauguration of a newly established Armenian language classroom—further demonstrating the University’s dedication to the advancement of Armenian linguistic and cultural education.
