NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION OF ARMENIA

On 17th of February, intensive training course for cultural heritage experts “Monuments Preservation and Enhancement: ROCHEMP 2020” kicked off at National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia (NUACA). In order to gain new knowledge and skills on restoration and preservation of historical and cultural monuments, the course will continue until June, and specialists from Armenia, Belgium, Georgia, and Egypt will attend. 

The courses are implemented by the University of Bologna within the framework of the cooperation between “Armenian-Italian Regional Office for Cultural Heritage Enhancement, Management and Protection (ROCHEMP)” and National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia (NUACA). 

The specialists of the intensive training course are architects, archaeologists, art critics, museum experts, tourism experts, and within the course they are provided with the opportunity of exchanging experience and developing professional skills. 

According to Marina Buniatian, architect and the Head of the NUACA Laboratory of the Monuments’ Surveying and Diagnosis, the course involves various spheres and the University has to choose all the interesting subjects related to architecture which will be possible to include in NUACA curriculum. This will aim at developing the profession of a restoration architect. 

Introducing the aim and importance of the course, Alessia Zampini, architect and professor at the University of Bologna, informed that it consists of theoretical and practical educational events, lectures, individual study, as well as laboratory practical trainings. Her mission is to carry out a theoretical excursion and provide with the knowledge regarding the preservation of monuments. “Not only the country, but also the society has a significant role in cultural heritage preservation. In Italy, the decisions on restoration of any monument are made by the specialists, but the people are also involved in that activity and are aware of the purpose of each step being made as well as what approach should be used towards the monuments.”

The course participants are not less excited than the specialists. The participant from Georgia, Sofya Janashvili and the participant from Belgium, Ian Moyaert mentioned that regardless the profession, this course is a great opportunity for gaining new knowledge, revealing new things as well as contributing to cultural heritage preservation.  For instance, Sofia explored Zvartnots and the basilica of Yererouk, whereas Ian explored Saghmosavank, where he got married with her Armenian wife. 

It is worth noting, that “Armenian-Italian Regional Office for Cultural Heritage Enhancement, Management and Protection (ROCHEMP)” operates based on the agreement between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia and Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, with the support of Italian Agency for Development Cooperation. The Centre operates within five fields: management, training, defining standards, organizing interaction and creating regional professional network.

Within the framework of the program, scientific and educational events will be held, professional guidelines will be developed, etc.