President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, who is on a state visit to Italy, visited Sapienza University of Rome, as reported the Staff of the President of Armenia.

Established 700 years ago, Sapienza University is not only considered one of the top universities in Italy, but is also one of the oldest and largest universities in Europe.

During the Armenian president’s visit, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport and La Sapienza University signed a Memorandum of Understanding and officially announced the launch of the Armenian Studies Program at the University. The document was signed by Armenia’s Ambassador to Italy Tsovinar Hambardzumyan and Rector of Sapienza University Antonella Polimeni.

“All that is happening today is a big event. I am proud to say that Armenia is one of the world’s oldest and unique countries that has accumulated vast knowledge throughout the thousands of years of its existence, and it is the duty of us Armenians to share that knowledge with others. I am happy to be here today not as President, but simply as an Armenian and as a person who attaches importance to knowledge, education and science and the fact that there will be courses on Armenian studies at this university located in the heart of Rome. This will become a major link that will bridge not only Rome and Yerevan, but will also serve as a bridge in history. I hope this small event becomes the start of a major initiative, and I can assure you that I will be one of the people who will fully support it.”

President Sarkissian and the University’s Rector Antonella Polimeni discussed issues related to expansion of the Armenian Studies Program and ensuring of continuity.

The Chair of Armenian Studies has been around at Sapienza University since the 2000s. Armenology is deeply-rooted in Italy since there have been Chairs of Armenian Studies at six universities for years, and there are Chairs of Armenian Studies at certain universities today. The Chair of Armenian Language and Culture at Sapienza University hadn’t been active over the past decade due to lack of funding. Over the past year, the Embassy of Armenia in Italy did a great job for reopening of the Chair of Armenian Studies, and thanks to the efforts of the parties, teaching of Armenological subjects will begin at the highly rated Classics and Ancient History Department.