YEREVAN (Noyan Tapan)–To raise the educational level of hospital nurses and the quality of their work–the Erebuni nurse-training college was found in Yerevan in 1994 on the initiative of the All-Armenian Organization of Women with the assistance of the Armenian community in California. Diplomas were awarded to the first graduates from the four-year nurse-training course with a ceremony at the American University of Armenia on July 9.
During the ceremony Director of the "Erebuni" college Alina Koushkian said that the college introduced the four-year international program in 1995 with the cooperation of the UCLA Medical Center and the assistance of USAID–AIHA and DSA. According to Koushkian–a memorandum signed by the American International Health Union–Yerevan State Medical University and Ministry of Health of Armenia also promoted the development of the syllabus. During the first two years lecturers from Yerevan State University delivered lectures at the college. Then foreign lecturers arrived.
According to Minister of Health Hayk Nikoghossian–the four-year nurse-training program is one of the most important prerequisites for reforms in the health sphere in Armenia. This program–being the first in the region–may serve as an example for other CIS countries–he said. At the same time Nikoghossian pointed out that nurse-training in Armenia does not yet meet international standards–and qualitative changes should be made in this sphere.
The best graduate from the college was awarded the UCLA Medical Center medal and the Armenian college medal. Two other graduates became members of the American International Health Union. They were granted the opportunity to receive special education at first-class medical educational establishmen’s in the US. Seven students who graduated from the college with first-class honors degrees were presented with special laces to wear with the nurse’s uniforms.
The graduates will work as nurses; some will join the teaching staff of the college.
During the ceremony Director of the All-Armenian Organization of Women Ludmila Ter-Petrossian and other figures were granted awards for their assistance in founding the college and implementing the training program. Attending the ceremony were also US Ambassador to Armenia Michael Lemmon–representatives of foreign organizations and other officials.