The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of Pázmány Péter Catholic University and ELTE Origo Language Center signed a cooperation agreement on the organization of Armenian language exams.
As set forth in the cooperation agreement — signed on 2 March 2022 by György Fodor, Dean of the Faculty and Györgyi Antoni, Director of ELTE Origo Language Centre — the Department of Armenian Studies will be professional partner for the accredited Armenian language examinations at elementary, intermediate and advanced levels in Hungary.
The agreement also includes tasks related to Armenian language tuition, the promotion of Armenian language and Armenian culture beyond the university programs, and the mutual exchange of information. Providing Armenian language tuition and Armenian language examination within a system of certification could prove essential for the Armenian nationality recognised in Hungary. Pázmány University is therefore contributing to the promotion and protection of minority rights, by providing professional supervision for the language examination.
In Hungary, it is only the Origo Language Centre (commonly known as Rigó utca) that provides accredited proficiency examinations in Armenian; until now, however, professional language test development and examination encountered difficulties, along with the administrative management of such exams.
The official event was attended by Prof. Bálint Kovács, Head of the Department of Armenian Studies, Sousik Sousani, Armenian language lecturer of the Department, Prof. Balázs Major, Deputy Dean of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Sándor Őze, Head of the Institute of History, and Ashot Smbatyan, Advisor to the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On behalf of the ELTE Origo Language Centre, Györgyi Antoni, Director, and Melinda Szűcs, Deputy Director, were present.
"We very much hope that many people take the chance to obtain a certified language exam", said Dean György Fodor. After the signing of the cooperation agreement, Györgyi Antoni pointed out that none of their language examinations for national minorities had ever experienced such a highlight, referring to the visit of the high-ranking diplomat Ashot Smbatyan.
"We have been working for quite some time to provide language tests for small languages, therefore it is particularly honorable for us that His Excellency expressed interest for this cooperation," said the director.
Ashot Smbatyan, former Armenian Ambassador to Berlin, stressed that the Department of Armenian Studies of Pázmány University is playing a crucial role in Hungary's resuming relations with Armenia. While similar academic institutions run the risk of diminishing or disappearing, Pázmány University in Budapest is characterized by its dynamic development — the possibility of conducting state-certified language examinations is an excellent example of this, he added.
The Department of Armenian Studies at Pázmány University stands out as the only Armenian Department in the Central European region. Its academic work is supported by an international team of lecturers teaching Western Armenian, Eastern Armenian and Classical Armenian. A growing number of Hungarian students attend the language courses offered by the Department of Armenian Studies; some of them are already fluent in Armenian. And the high level proficiency courses in Armenian history and culture hold a great attraction for young Armenians who wish to obtain a degree. Currently, almost thirty Armenian students pursue their studies at the Department.
