The Department of Public Health and Healthcare organization of Yerevan State Medical University, in collaboration with the Open Medical Institute and Pasteur Institute of Paris; organized the OMI Satellite Symposium at YSMU: “Stress, Genes, and Viruses: A Triad in Human Cancer” on October 14–15, 2025.
The two-day satellite symposium explored through lectures and a roundtable discussion with international experts the interplay of stress, genetics and viruses in human cancer. The event was open to clinicians, researchers, and students.
According to Jean-Pierre Vartanian, PhD, Head, Department of Virology, Institute Pasteur, Paris; they introduced what they are doing to try to get discussions, collaboration, to make exchange of ideas. “Actually we want to collaborate officially between Pasteur Institute of Paris and Yerevan State Medical University, not only in clinical sphere, but also in education. Our aim is to improve the education here maybe through some courses”, he told, adding that they want to continue such kind of collaboration.
Pascal Pineau, PhD, Research Director, Unit Nuclear Organization & Oncogenesis/Institute Pasteur, Paris; was second time in Armenia. He emphasized the importance of scientific diplomacy. “We are representing an old institution that was founded long time ago, and we are accustomed to develop relationships with foreign countries. This is a part of our job. We are teaching, and we are doing research. It’s an integral part of the mission of our institute. So, coming to Armenia is very important for us to help you for historical reasons” he noted.
From the point of view of Artashes Tadevosyan, Head of the Department of Public Health and Healthcare Organization of YSMU, communication with scientists of this level is inspiring for students. “They travel all over the world. This should reveal ways to grow for a student or a young doctor and help them understand that science is very broad, international, and knows no borders. People of this level are a very good example, and listening to them is also important because each of them, being an individual, presents his own unique style and teaching methods. The student should listen to various lectures in order to be able to broaden his or her worldview,” he added.
The national coordinator of YSMU’s cooperation programs with the Open Medical Institute is Astghik Markosyan, senior lecturer at the Department of Public Health and Healthcare Organization, whose direct efforts made the meeting of French-based scientists with university students possible. Certificates were given to participants.