A brief history of YSMU
After nearly two years of diligent work and negotiations, the Armenian government in October 1920 approved the “Law on the Faculty of Medicine”. After one year on November 3, 1921 embodied to Yerevan Municipal Hospital the school for medical personnel training was opened. In March 1922, the Yerevan State University Medical Faculty was founded on the basis of the Yerevan Medical School, with Dr. Spandarat Kamsarakan assuming the role of dean. The esteemed individuals from the older generation of Soviet-Armenian doctors, along with the pioneer lecturers including Vahan Artsruni, Grigor Areshyan, Levon Hovhannisyan, Arshak Hakobyan, Hambardzum Kechek, Abgar Isahakyan, Grigor Mednikyan, Paylak Hakobyan, Yeghishe Shek-Hovsepyan, and many others, made significant contributions to establishing the medical faculty and consistently improving its quality and effectiveness.
Initially, educational base for the medical faculty was the Anatomy-Physiology Institute. By 1927, a part of the Anatomy building was constructed, where the theoretical departments were subsequently relocated. In 1930, a portion of the Biochemical building was built. In 1931-1932, the Anatomicum building, housing the departments of morphological and forensic medicine, was put into operation. During the years 1922-1930, a total of 17 textbooks were published for the students of the medical faculty. Notably, the authors of the first textbooks in the native language were V. Artsruni (“Human Anatomy”) and A. Hakobyan (“Normal Human Physiology”). In 1927, the high medical institution awarded degrees to its first 32 Medical Graduates. In 1930 by the decree of the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic (ASSR) independent institutes were founded, including the Yerevan State Medical Institute, originating from the faculties of the State University. Hakob Hovhannisyan, who held the position of rector of the State University from 1922 to 1930, was appointed as the first rector (director) of the Medical Institute.
Until 1931, the university consisted solely of a Faculty of Medicine and Medical Prevention. In 1931-1932, a sanitary-hygienic faculty was established, and in 1939, the Russian department of the Medical-prophylactic faculty was introduced, due to the influx of Russian-educated Armenian youth from other Soviet republics.
In 1936, the institute was granted the authority to defend dissertations, following a decision by the Government of the USSR. In 1947, the Student Scientific Society was established to foster students’ interest in scientific research and facilitate the selection of future teaching staff. Scientific groups were also formed alongside the various academic chairs.
In 1930, the scientific library was founded. Subsequently, in 1958, the university began publishing the newspaper “Future Doctor,” which continues to cover the university’s life to this day. Later on, the institute also established its own printing house, due to which the various chairs had access to necessary methodological and educational materials.
In 1957, the university opened its doors to Diaspora Armenian youth, offering them the opportunity to obtain higher medical education in their homeland. A foreign students’ division was also established. Since in 1985, the institute welcomed international students from various countries, including Arabs, Indians, Persians, and others. In 1958, the faculty for advanced training for doctors was formed, which eventually led to the creation of the Institute of Advanced Training for doctors in 1963. This department later became part of the Yerevan State Institute, now known as the National Institute of Health. In 2011, the educational component of the latter was integrated into the educational system of the medical university following a government decision.
To address the need for highly skilled pediatricians in the Republic the Faculty of Pediatrics was established in 1958. Following this, in 1961, the Faculty of Dentistry, including its academic chairs, was inaugurated. In 1964, a scientific research laboratory was founded, later evolving into a scientific research centre in 1992.
In 1972, the Faculty of Pharmacy was founded. In 1975, the preparatory department was established, admitting young individuals with prior work experience and those who had completed their service in the Soviet army. These individuals, after completing preparatory courses were admitted to the institute.
In 1989, on May 25, the Council of Ministers of Armenia made the decision to rename the Yerevan Medical Institute naming it after Mkhitar Heratsi, a distinguished medieval physician and thinker.
In 1992, driven by the initiative of the institute’s students, the student parliament was established, playing a vital role in organizing internal activates within the university.
Due to the pressing circumstances in 1992, when Armenia found itself in an undeclared war, it was imperative to train military doctors. In response to this need, in 1994, the institute established a Faculty of Military Medicine, on the basis of the military chair that had been created two years prior.
Taking into account the significant and substantial contribution of Yerevan Medical Institute to the Republic of Armenia in the realms of training medical professionals and advancing medical science, the institution was granted university status in 1995 by Armenian Government. To enhance the preparation of future doctors and facilitate post-graduate education, on March 15, 1995, the government decided to hand over the entire adjacent Hospital Complex to the University’s preservation.
In 1997, a significant process of enhancing the qualifications and the professional development of lecturers was initiated at the Medical University. In the academic year 1999-2000, the Faculties of General Medicine, Preventive Medicine and Paediatrics merged to form a unified Faculty of General Medicine. In 2006-2007, as part of the ongoing reforms in the field of education in Armenia, the Medical University transitioned to a two-cycle educational system which was in line with the legislative reforms. However, recognizing the specificity of medical professions, the significance of international experience, and the importance of diploma recognition, a shift was made to provide continuous and integrated academic programs for these professions.
In 2010, the university opened the Faculty of Postgraduate and Continuing Education, with a focus on training highly qualified doctors and pharmacists.
In 2011, the Faculty of Public Health was established, offering master’s academic programs.
In 2014, December, the Simulation training centre was officially established and became operational.
In acknowledgment of the university’s dedication to providing high-quality professional education, a pivotal decision was reached on February 21, 2015, during a meeting of the accreditation committee of the National Center for Professional Education Quality Assurance Foundation (ANQA) granted institutional accreditation to Yerevan State Medical University.
In May 2018, the Centre of Excellence in Dental Education was officially opened.
In 2020, amid the strain on the Republic of Armenia’s healthcare system brought about by the global challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the wartime situation, numerous professors and students rallied to support the healthcare system. They joined the ranks of the “white army” and worked tirelessly day and night to combat the prevailing crisis.
In accordance with its noble humanitarian mission the university throughout its 100-year history has successfully educated thousands of highly qualified healthcare professionals. Armenian and international graduates of Yerevan State Medical University carry the university’s legacy with distinction around the globe, maintaining a strong connection with their medical alma mater. The university’s ability to train skilled personnel in the fields of education, research, and healthcare, while adapting to the evolving demands of the times and embracing internationalization, has earned it recognition and acclaim throughout the world.