The 7th meeting of the Armenian-German Oncology School (ArGOS) was held at Yerevan State Medical University.
Scheduled for September 4–6, this annual scientific conference brought together experienced and early-career professionals from Armenia and Germany, as well as Armenian and international medical students and future physicians.
In her opening remarks, Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, Marine Hovhannisyan, emphasized that the Armenian-German Oncology School holds annual sessions. This year’s focus was on the importance of improving quality of life for cancer patients. Within this context, the event addressed approaches to enhance patient quality of life and the contributing factors supporting such improvements.
“Presentations were delivered both by invited German experts and by lecturers from our own Chairs of Epidemiology, Public Health, and Healthcare Organization,” Hovhannisyan noted. “Notably, young faculty members who have recently joined the departments and the School’s work also contributed with presentations.”
Visiting professor at YSMU and Director of the Cancer Center at the Hannover Medical School, Prof. Jörg Haier, highlighted that this initiative reflects the continuation of a 12-year collaboration.
“We launched this program in 2013 as a clinical cooperation initiative. Step by step, it expanded to include public health, and for the past three years, it has also encompassed oncology. Today, we celebrate the 7th anniversary of this joint Armenian-German initiative. The program also includes professional exchange—Armenian nurses are invited to Germany to apply their newly acquired knowledge. This year, for the first time, public health professionals will join our research groups in Germany after a four-week training course and will launch collaborative research projects,” said Prof. Haier.
The scientific program began with a presentation by clinical resident Gevorg Nalbandyan from the Chair of Epidemiology, titled “Epidemiological Trends of Cancer in Armenia.”
Anahit Abrahamyan, lecturer at the Chair of Public Health and Healthcare Organization, presented on changes in awareness and behaviors regarding internet use among 7th–9th grade students in Yerevan.
Christian Krauth, leading specialist from Hannover Medical School, discussed economic perspectives on cancer prevention and care.
Gulya Ohan, lecturer from the Epidemiology Department, addressed vaccine hesitancy related to HPV in Armenia, associated challenges, and strategies for improved implementation.
Prof. Jörg Haier also spoke on ethical challenges in personalized oncology.
Fifth-year student Arpi Mkrtchyan, from the Faculty of Public Health, presented on the impact of physical activity on health.
Nikoloz Gambashidze, leading specialist from the University of Bonn, presented the EUnetCCC (European Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centers) program and discussed the European vision for cancer care.
The session concluded with a presentation by YSMU alumna Ani Armenakyan, focusing on initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for families with children on the autism spectrum.
The 7th meeting of the Armenian-German Oncology School continued on September 5–6 at the Mikaelyan University Hospital.
The event was opened by Geghanush Stepanyan, President of the Armenian Nurses Association, Head of the Chair of Nursing at YSMU, and Chief Nurse at Mikaelyan Hospital.
She emphasized the significance of the event as a platform for knowledge and experience exchange, expressing hope that the collaboration would continue into the future.
The session gathered nurses from oncology and chemotherapy departments across various hospitals, and featured speakers from both Armenia and Germany. Topics included: Use and care of central and peripheral venous catheters, medication handling, Infection prevention, post-chemotherapy laboratory monitoring, patient safety in oncology care, other key professional nursing issues.
Anush Iritsyan, Senior Nurse of the Oncology Department at Mikaelyan Hospital, presented on “Care and Management of Port Systems/Central Venous and Peripheral Catheters.”
German nurses shared organizational protocols and key features of their practice, while Armenian nurses posed questions and shared local experiences.
The meeting highlighted the importance of continuous professional development for oncology nurses and explored specialized nursing education models in both Armenia and Germany.
Stepanyan announced that an application has been submitted to launch a three-week advanced training course focusing on oncology and chemotherapy nursing practice.
The German specialists expressed high regard for the professional skills, motivation, and active participation of the Armenian nursing staff.
On the third day of the event, the Mikaelyan Hospital hosted leading specialists in general oncology, radiation oncology, urology, pathology, pediatric oncology, and medical residents. The day’s theme was Onco-Urology.
The session was opened by Dr. Lilit Harutyunyan, acting head of the Chair of General Oncology at YSMU and Head of the Oncology Clinic at Mikaelyan Hospital.
“Many Armenian physicians, including myself, received training in Germany through this collaboration,” she noted. “Now the focus has shifted to professional development for nurses.”
Prof. Eva Wardelmann, Director of the Institute of Pathology at the University Hospital of Münster, delivered a presentation via video call on pathologies encountered in the onco-urological field.
Prof. Angelika Borkowetz from the Department of Urology at the University of Rostock addressed local therapies for prostate cancer.
Hans Christiansen, Head of the Department of Radiotherapy and Special Oncology at Hannover Medical School, presented modern approaches in radiation therapy.
Desiree-Louise Dreger, an urologist from Rostock University, discussed the systemic treatment of kidney cancer.
Prof. Norbert Graf, pediatric oncologist at Saarland University and former Chair of the SIOP Wilms Tumor Group, presented on pediatric oncology, including Wilms tumors and non-Wilms kidney tumors.
Dr. Björn Torben Bürk, urologist from Rostock University, discussed novel systemic treatment methods for bladder cancer.
The final day of the scientific forum concluded with case discussions and opinion exchange between Armenian and German experts.
The German delegation held a working meeting with YSMU Rector Armen Muradyan, during which they outlined themes and directions for next year’s joint event, continuing the fruitful tradition of Armenian-German cooperation in oncology.