Nare Kirvanyan / Veterinary Medicine / Agricultural College after A. Kochinyan
From an early age, I was certain that I wanted to become a veterinarian. Animals had always been an integral part of my life. However, it was through DUAL education that I truly came to understand the depth of responsibility and professional commitment the profession requires. Yet it was only when DUAL education was introduced to our college through the MAVETA project that my childhood dream began to take real, structured shape.
Having lived in Sweden, I was already familiar with the DUAL education model. Seeing it implemented in Armenia presented a significant opportunity for me – one that allowed me not only to acquire theoretical knowledge, but to immerse myself directly in a real professional environment from the very beginning of my studies.
I completed my practical training at three veterinary clinics: Amiryan Vet, VetLine, and Yan Vet. Today, at Yan Vet, I am not only undertaking practical training but am also employed as a member of the professional team. I began with foundational clinical tasks – animal restraint, administering injections, placing catheters – and progressively advanced to assisting in surgical procedures. I am now specializing in the surgical field and have clearly defined this as my professional trajectory.
Although the theoretical courses were mainly focused on farm animals, the clinical experience filled all the gaps related to the treatment of small animals. Before every procedure, we received clear explanations, and only then proceeded to practice. This approach built not only knowledge, but confidence.
The turning point was in the operating room. Before starting my internship, I could not imagine myself as a surgeon. When I first saw the surgical instruments, I thought I might never be able to use them confidently. At the beginning, I was afraid of harming an animal. However, the supervision and trust of experienced doctors gave me strength. Today, I confidently place sutures, participate in surgeries, and independently perform several procedures.
The outcome speaks for itself
I am no longer solely a student. In the morning, I study at college, and afterwards I work at the clinic until evening, applying my knowledge in practice. My hands have become skilled, and my chosen direction is clear. I have decided to continue in the field of surgery and dedicate my entire life to veterinary medicine.
Would I recommend DUAL education to other young people?
Without hesitation. DUAL education provides more than a diploma – it cultivates professional identity, practical competence, and clarity of purpose. It enables young professionals to determine whether a chosen field is truly aligned with their aspirations and, if so, to pursue it with confidence and preparedness.
If I were to summarize my experience in a single sentence: Through the Maveta Project, DUAL education transformed my childhood aspiration into a clearly defined and professionally grounded career path.
The MAVETA project is funded by a broad coalition of international and local organizations led by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), including the Austrian Development Agency, the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Government of Armenia, the Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER) NGO, Izmirlian Foundation, the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO and Vanand Agro CJSC.
The project’s implementing partners are the GIZ and HEKS/EPER with the involvement of SDA and the School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences at the Bern University of Applied Sciences (HAFL).