ISEC NAS RA Representatives in International Staff Week at the University of Lille (France)
July 8, 2025
From June 23 to 27, 2025, Armen Sargsyan, Director of the International Scientific-Educational Center of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (ISEC NAS RA), and Angela Papikyan, Head of the Foreign Affairs Department, took part in the Erasmus+ International Training Week hosted by the University of Lille, France.
The event gathered academic and administrative representatives from numerous leading European universities, including institutions from Germany, Spain, Slovakia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Hungary, Italy, the Czech Republic, Ireland, and others.
This year’s training week was centered around the theme “The Role of Sustainability and Well-being in International Mobility Programs.” Discussions focused on some of the most pressing and timely issues in international education, including:
- Overcoming mental health challenges during mobility
- Tackling isolation among international students
- Promoting physical well-being during academic exchanges
- Raising awareness of sustainability principles among mobile students
- Encouraging environmentally responsible and eco-conscious mobility practices
The sessions underscored the vital connection between mental health, sustainability, and well-being, as well as the growing need to align internationalization with ecological and human-cantered values. Participants agreed that student exchanges, international internships, and intercultural programs not only enhance academic growth but also serve as important tools for building resilient, inclusive, and globally connected communities.
A special emphasis was placed on the principles of sustainable development, highlighting how a physically, socially, and emotionally healthy environment fosters mental resilience and a sense of belonging. The importance of creating inclusive academic spaces, enabling contact with nature, and ensuring access to quality education was a recurring theme throughout the week.
The representatives of ISEC NAS RA actively contributed to the discussions and working groups, sharing institutional experiences and perspectives on integrating sustainability and student well-being into international mobility programs. They reiterated ISEC’s commitment to fostering responsible and healthy academic exchanges and emphasized the value of student engagement in sustainability initiatives.
In addition to participating in the training sessions, the ISEC NAS RA delegation successfully established new collaborative relationships with several European universities. Preliminary agreements were made to develop cooperation within the frameworks of educational, scientific, and international programs.
During the visit, the ISEC representatives also met Prof. Sebastien Clausen, Vice-Dean for International Affairs and Prof. Taniel Danelian from the Faculty of Sciences and Technologies of the University of Lille. Initial discussions revolved around collaborative opportunities of launching a double degree master program in the field of Geology and to enhance the partnership between the institutions.
Public Relations and Career Department of the ISEC NAS RA
