The Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Andrea Victorin and the Head of Cooperation Gonzalo Serrano visit to Goris State Agricultural College

On May 31, 2021, the Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Andrea Victorin and the Head of Cooperation Gonzalo Serrano visited Goris State Agricultural College to meet with the beneficiary students of the “Promoting Partnerships for Effective Work-Based Learning (WBL) Opportunities in VET” project implemented by “Strategic Development Agency” NGO with the financial support of the European Union, to discuss current and future employment perspectives regarding the “Veterinary” and “Milk and Dairy Technology” professions, the advantages and disadvantages of the work-based learning model.

During the meeting, a few issues were raised such as the gaps in the educational programs of “Veterinary” and “Milk and Dairy Technology” professions, the lack of necessary material and technical conditions for the organization of studies and internships at the college and some possible solutions to the listed problems were discussed.

The students presented the Ambassador the knowledge and skills acquired during their studies, especially the ones gained as a result of the practical part of their education, talked about their plans and visions in the field, and voiced their concerns. The students also emphasized the importance of such projects in terms of necessary reforms in the field and thanked the Ambassador for the visit.

Uncategorized

Training course for veterinarians on “Field diagnostics and rapid response treatment schemes”

From May 26-27 and May 31-June 1, a workshop entitled “Field diagnostics and rapid response treatment schemes” was organized by the “Strategic Development Agency” NGO. This course was organized within the framework of the organization’s “Livestock development in Armenia – south-north” and “Livestock Development in the south of Armenia” projects financed by the Austrian Development Agency, the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. 68 veterinarians from the regions of Shirak, Lori, Tavush, Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor and Syunik took part in the course.

During the training, key topics related to the diagnosis of diseases of farm animals, which are most often recorded in the field, were discussed, such as:

• The nuances and features of field diagnostics and rapid response treatment regimens

• Diagnosis of the most common field diseases, treatment with minimal drug use, and prevention

After analyzing the approaches voiced by the participants during the interactive session, the veterinarians who offered the most effective, best diagnosis and treatment regimens were received incentive prizes.

Seminar on the topic “Eco-economic importance of pastures and management features” took place

On May 27th, 2021 seminar on the topic “Eco-economic importance of pastures and management features” was organized in Gyulagarak community of Lori marz within the frameworks of “Introducing pasture and grassland maps for sustainable pasture and grasslands management practices in Lori and Shirak marzes of Armenia” pilot project.

The project is financed by the GIZ ECOSERVE Project, with co-financing from the “Livestock Development in the South of Armenia” project implemented by “Strategic Development Agency” NGO with financial support of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

The following topics have been covered during the seminar:

  • Pasture as a natural resource, fodder mean
  • Pasture degradation as a natural resource issue, reasons for formation and methods of expression.
  • Problems of conservation of pasture ecosystems.
  • Efficient and sustainable use of pastures, management functions of pastures.

The annual “Professions Day” event

The annual “Professions Day” event was held at Goris State Agricultural College on May 11, 2021, organized within the framework of the “VET Development in Syunik Marz” project.

The project is being implemented by “Strategic Development Agency” NGO in partnership with HAFL (The School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences of the Bern University of Applied Sciences) and with the support of Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER).

The event was aimed at introducing the professions of “Veterinary” and “Milk and Dairy Technology” to the pupils of the schools of Goris and Sisian communities, the existing conditions for education, prospects, and opportunities.

The event was attended by almost 120 students and more than ten teachers from schools in Goris and Sisian communities.

The event started with the welcoming speeches from the deputy head of Goris community Mrs. Irina Yolyan, the manager of SDA NGO “VET Development in Syunik Marz” project Mrs. Lilit Hovhannisyan, the director of Goris State Agricultural College Mrs. Nune Avetisyan, the director of ANAU Sisian Branch Mr. Tigran Vandunts, and the director of Goris Regional Center of the State Employment Agency Mrs. Naira Mkrtchyan.

During the event, the participants in different groups had the opportunity to get acquainted with the nature of “Veterinary” and “Milk and Dairy Technology” professions, teaching methods, available opportunities in the labor market, scholarships, volunteerism, and training opportunities presented by the college lecturers, employers, current students, graduates, and invited specialists.

In the practical part of the event, the students and teachers got acquainted with different equipment in the “Milk Processing” laboratory, conducted some experiments under the guidance of mentors, and watched the practical learning process of the college students. Goris State Agricultural College also organized an exhibition of cheese, dairy products, and tasting made by its students.

In the “Veterinary” laboratory, the students were introduced to various tools used during practical lessons and had the opportunity to watch a video covering the practical training process of the students of Goris State Agricultural College. Some of the participants of the event visited Syunik Animal Market where they were introduced to the conditions and opportunities for carrying out practical work.

“Post COVID-19 Business solutions” Training course

On 4-5 May 2021, in frames of “Livestock Development in Armenia: South-North” and “Livestock Development in the South of Armenia” Projects implemented by Strategic Development Agency NGO, a training course on “Post COVID-19 Business solutions” took place in Jermuk city.

The training was attended by 24 representatives of 16 milk processing partner companies from Vayots Dzor, Syunik, Lori, Tavush, Shirak, and Gegharkunik marzes.

The training aims to present the Post COVID-19 business challenges, the ways to overcome them (7K solutions), the ways to organize sales under the pandemic, the market situation and its changes, and get acquainted with the methods of making online sales.

During the training, the trainer held one-on-one meetings with the participants and provided individual advice to all the processors who faced difficulties related to sales due to the pandemic and suggested possible solutions. By involving participants in various discussions, the problems in the sales chain were identified, and the ways to solve them were considered․