When: Thursday, 24 April 2025, 18:00-21:00
Where: OeAD, Ebendorferstraße 7, 1010 Vienna
The project SOAA builds on the achievements of the successful APPEAR academic partnership of the BOAA project (Building Organic Agriculture in Armenia). Both projects enabled a long-term cooperation between the Armenian National Agrarian University (ANAU) and BOKU University. SOAA aimed to advance organic farming education, research, and outreach in Armenia. In a time where independence and food security are key for the country’s future, as well as environmental protection, building off of an initial demand for organic sector development, skills and knowledge was essential. To meet the sector’s needs, the project focused on several key areas, namely program and curriculum development, educator skill and knowledge improvement, student research farm development and intuitional capacity enhancement.”
With growing governmental support for smallholder farmers and improved environmental conditions, alongside increasing involvement from international actors, Armenia’s organic sector is rapidly evolving. To meet the sector’s needs, the project focused on several key areas.
A significant milestone was the establishment of the Organic Agriculture Master Program (OAMP) at ANAU, designed to address the demand for skilled professionals in organic research and practice. The program’s quality and effectiveness were further enhanced by refining its curricula, incorporating modern teaching methods, and strengthening faculty expertise.
Additionally integral to the SOAA project was the acquiring of land for a student research farm that has been both developed and integrated into course curricula, master’s theses and additional short-courses aimed for non-university students.
Finally, SOAA also integrated organic agriculture education at an institutional level within ANAU, ensuring the program’s long-term sustainability and acting as a model for further master’s curriculum development and revision.
At this event, we will present and discuss the outcomes of the two APPEAR partnerships, explore the challenges facing Armenia’s organic sector, reflect on the collaboration between Austrian and Armenian higher education and research institutions, and provide insights into future developments.
Programme
Opening by Jakob Calice, Managing director of OeAD (t.b.c.)
Welcome remarks by Gerhard Volz, Head of Department for International Cooperation in Higher Education at OeAD
Presentations
- The Armenian Organic agriculture landscape and APPEAR's institutional impact, Mariam Movsisyan Vice rector at ANAU
- From BOAA to SOAA: Pioneering organic agriculture education in Armenia, Milena Klimek, Project coordinator at BOKU University
- Key achievements and impact on education and outreach, Lusine Nalbandyan, Project coordinator at ANAU
- Perspectives from teaching staff: curriculum development, skill building and integration of AKUNK farm into practice, Naira Gasparyan, Lecturer at ANAU
- Practical insights from Armenia’s organic sector, Areg Galstyan, APPEAR scholar
Discussion followed by food & drinks
Please register here by 20 April 2025.
You would like to know more about SOAA? Visit the project website.
Speakers
Areg Galstyan holds a Master's degree in Pharmacy from Yerevan Medical University. He has been involved in agriculture since his youth. He converted the family farm to organic farming over 7 years ago. Being involved in organic community development, he emphasizes multilateral cooperation and dissemination of knowledge and leading expertise. He has been actively involved in the organic processing of fruits and herbs grown at Akunk Organic Farm - work that takes place at the "Antaram" Production Cooperative, owned by the Galstyan family - contributing to the production of organic apple chips and herbal teas. Mr. Galstyan has recently started a Master's degree in Natural Resources Management and Ecological Engineering at BOKU University.
Naira Gasparyan is an accomplished agronomist with over two decades of experience in teaching, research, and consultancy, specializing in greenhouse cultivation and organic agriculture. She is a lecturer at the Armenian National Agrarian University at the Chair of Crop Production. She is one of the teachers at OAMP and also an agronomist of Akunk organic experimental demonstrational farm. Ms. Gasparyan has participated in numerous international trainings and projects, including collaborations with FAO, AFD, and Erasmus+, enhancing her expertise in sustainable farming systems.
Milena Klimek is a Senior Scientist at the Institute for Development Research at BOKU University. Her teaching, research, and project work focus on higher education curriculum development and sustainable food and farming systems. She loves using participatory, qualitative research methods to work on co-creating solutions fit for the future. Milena finalised her PhD on the topic of values in farmers markets in Vienna and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Today, she leads the SOAA project at BOKU University in collaboration with ANAU and is also involved in two APPEAR projects in Uganda, one dealing with Masters curriculum on Agroecology in the Rwenzori Region in Western Uganda and in the AMUTI project, working on the governance of natural resources in refugee-host communities in the West Nile region.
Mariam Movsisyan is the Vice-Rector for International Relations and Educational Reforms at the Armenian National Agrarian University (ANAU), and brings more than 15 years of experience in academic leadership, quality assurance, and the internationalization of higher education. She holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy from Yerevan State University and began her career at ANAU as a lecturer, later taking on key administrative roles, including Head of the Quality Assessment and Assurance Centre. She has contributed to numerous EU-funded initiatives, including Tempus and Erasmus+ projects, and previously led the agricultural component of the USAID Armenian Workforce Development Activity. Currently, she is co-coordinating the APPEAR-funded SOAA project, which focuses on strengthening organic agriculture in Armenia.
Lusine Nalbandyan is a dedicated agro-ecologist and sustainable agriculture consultant with over 19 years of experience in organic farming, land management, and rural development. She leads the “Strengthening Organic Agriculture in Armenia: Participatory Higher Education and Knowledge Exchange for Development” (SOAA) project at ANAU in collaboration with BOKU University and serves as President of the “Organic Armenia” Agricultural Association. Lusine has held leadership positions in several multiple organisations, including “ORWACO”, “Nairian” CJSC focusing on ecological practices, biodegradable waste, production of organic fertilisers. Her research explores the efficiency of combined organic and mineral fertilisation, adoption of circular economy practices in small scale organic farms. She actively engages in international projects, policy dialogues, and trainings across Europe and Central Asia.
