On June 29, a Strategic Framework Agreement was signed between Yerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi and the Ken Walker International University Consortium (KWIU).
The goal is to form a new educational program based on the American medical education model at YSMU.
The main task of the cooperation with the Ken Walker International University Consortium of Georgia and Emory University of the USA is to introduce the best practices of American medical education at the medical university, increase the international competitiveness of the university, attract new flows of foreign students, develop the capabilities of the teaching staff, and create a competitive educational environment aimed at USMLE.
Welcoming the Georgian and American partners, YSMU Rector Armen Muradyan noted:
“This is a long-awaited day for us, I am sure that our cooperation, which began a long time ago and will be outlined today by the signing of the framework agreement, has great prospects. After a very important meeting for us, we will have many questions to discuss in a friendly environment. I would like to inform you that the Government of the Republic of Armenia has developed a special program for four universities of our country to be rated on the appropriate scale of QS (World University Ranking 2026). We have about two years to be able to clearly see ourselves in that rating process. In this regard, today’s meeting with universities that have passed such a high rating is important and acceptable for us.”
The program plans to form an integrated medical educational program, which will be based on modern principles of American medical education, using innovative curricula, teaching and assessment methodologies, digital educational systems and international quality assurance mechanisms.
YSMU visiting professor Archil Undilashvili began his speech by congratulating Professor Muradyan on his re-election as YSMU rector. “I am confident that under your leadership Yerevan State Medical University can position itself in the international ranking system, which is one of the main goals of the university. Moreover, the university can maintain and develop its leading positions as a prominent center of education, scientific work and medicine not only in the region, but also in the whole world. It is a great honor for us to sign an agreement with you, laying the foundation for a rather expanded cooperation and partnership,” the Georgian specialist emphasized.
Mary Jo Lechowicz, Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine, a leading oncologist at Winship Cancer Institute, an internationally recognized professor in the field of hematological malignancies and clinical research, who has also been involved in medical education, training of residents and young professors, as well as international educational cooperation programs for many years, and Gordon Churchward, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Emory University School of Medicine, who has been involved in the organization of medical education and the development of educational programs for many years, also warmly congratulated the Rector on the occasion of his re-election: “It is a great honor for us to work with you in this context, already as a re-elected Rector.”
“In fact, when we were discussing that the first working day, the week would start with this event, we were all very excited. Believe me, we treat this partnership with much higher expectations than just a framework agreement. And not only us, but also many students who know that they can receive the fullness of the American-style educational program in Armenia,” the Head of the university added, concluding the first part of the meeting.
After the official part of the signing ceremony, Professor Muradyan presented his foreign colleague, Professor Churchward, with an English copy of the book he co-authored, “The Golden Ratio Principle in Art, Biology, and Medicine,” which will be presented soon.
It should be noted that Emory University in the United States is considered one of the world’s leading research centers, especially in the fields of medicine, public health, biomedical sciences, and nursing.
