Ashot Bleyan: the founder who introduced New Way civic initiative

The war and its consequences

This is the first of the two interviews taken from Mr. Bleyan. The interview was taken in February 2021 by 12th graders Alen Avetisyan and Samvel Manasyan and is translated by 11th grader Iren Gevorgyan.

In this project we have an honor to talk to people who inspire us. Today our hero is the founder and former long-term principal of Mkhitar Sebastatsi Educational Complex, mentor, Armenian political and public figure, educator Mr. Ashot Bleyan.

I am very touched that you consider me the source of your inspiration, because it will be hard for me to work if I don’t motivate you. And the main source of inspiration is in you, in the student, in the teacher, in the Sebastatsi community, from which I get a lot of important influences, and I’m glad, that I was, and still am able to have an impact on you.

Thank you.

Tigran Serobyan: a programmer who thinks about progress

At the time of interview Tigran Serobyan was 12th grader and Robotics team member who, together with Nazeli Ter-Petrosyan had participated in the national round of the World Robot Olympiad in 2019. In summer 2021 Tigran graduated from school and entered the Faculty of Radiophysics, Yerevan State University. During pedagogical camp from August 24 to 26 Tigran provided Training of Trainers (ToT) in High school IT lab. He taught Scratch block-based visual programming language and Basics of Robotics. As a result of ToT, the trained teachers will be able to carry out robotics projects for primary school students and to use Scratch in their math lessons.

What is your secret to effective learning? What are the nuts and bolts of your theory?

I don’t have any secret to effective learning. I think the best way of learning is being a teacher and questioning everything. Sometimes it’s hard to focus on something, in such situations I am just meditating for a few minutes.
You can find a thing that works best for you. Waking up early and starting your day with some important job may make you more productive. And don’t forget to award and praise yourself sometimes!

Ilona Sahakyan: the girl who opened a language center and is a Peace Ambassador

You think outside the box and you inspire a lot of people. How would you account for the fact that if the teachers want a project to be successful they involve you in it?

A character trait of mine, which pushes me forward is that whatever I do I try to do my best, so it turns out to be great and as “flawless” as possible. Moreover I do love cooperating and working on different projects. I’m a huge “ideastorm” (just invented a new word).

Aram Petrosyan: the boy who thinks big and cares about his community

From Aram Petrosyan’s FB page

10^th grader Aram Petrosyan entered UWC Dilijan College, the first international boarding school in Armenia offering IB Diploma Programme. Aram also took part in “Inovarium” project by KASA Swiss Humanitarian Foundation. Through the game, “Inovarium” teenagers seek solutions to problems in their community. Aram was in Mkhitar Sebastatsi Educational Complex team that decided to suggest solutions for the problems existing in the EduComplex. Aram’s answer about the project with illustrations will be published after the presentation of “Inovarium” project on September 12, 2021.

Since the “Inovarium” project has already been presented, please see the updated second question and Aram’s answer.

Vigen Avetis: the sculptor who thought of rescuing Artsakh’s cultural heritage from destruction

The interview of teacher, sculptor Vigen Avetis is taken by 11^th  grader Gayane Poghosyan in March. It was interpreted and translated by 11^th grader Iren Gevorgyan.