Arts Institute opened in Gyumri in 1997. It has five chairs: Painting, Sculpture and Decorative-applied Arts, Printmaking, Outfit Modeling, Arts and Humanities The second branch opened in Dilijan in 1999, which aimed at promoting the arts and crafts typical of the region. The main focus of studies is carpet weaving, ornamental art, stylized textiles and outfit modeling. Study Alongside its branches, the Academy adopted the cycles of higher education since the year 2004-2005 (YSAFA has moved onto a three-tier system that offers bachelor, master and researcher programmes (four, two and three years respectively)). Educational programs were sufficiently upgraded aimed at the development of students’ analytical and critical skills, as well as encouragement of independent research. The system of credits was introduced; international collaboration of universities was launched and developed. Rectors Ara Sargsyan (1945-1959) Martin Charyan (1959-1974) Vahagn Mkrtchyan (1974-1994) Aram Isabekyan (1994) Branches Garik Manukyan, Gyumri campus Ghazar Ghazaryan, Dilijan campus Vice-rectors Eghishe Martikyan (1945-1953) Suren Danielyan (1954-1965) Manuk Hovsepyan (1966-1983) Romanos Sargsyan (1984-1985) Alexandr Qocharyan (1985-1990) Aram Isabekyan (1990-1994) Svetlana Gevorgyan (1994-2012) Susanna Karakhanyan (2012-2014) Mkrtich Ayvazyan (2015) Stepan Yezdoghlyan for Economic & Financial Affairs Student Council YSAFA Student Council is a self-governed body, an elective representative structure aimed at uniting students and protecting their interests. It is designed to ensure the processes of student autonomy and self-government, to contribute to students’ social, cultural, scientific, creative, intellectual, moral and spiritual development. As a student self-governed body it was formed in September, 1993. Student Council has so far been presided by Emin Petrosyan, Arman Tsaturyan, Hayk Martirosyan (2005-2007), Gevorg Soghomonyan (2007-2009), Margarita Sirekanyan (2009-2012). Since October 2012 it has been headed by Eduard Avetisyan. Famous graduates Marie Rose Abousefian Artashes Abrahamyan Ruben Adalyan Karen Aghamyan Sargis Arutchyan Vaghinak Aslanyan Hmayak Avetisyan Grigor Azizyan Arkady Baghdasaryan (Arko) Getik Baghdasaryan David Bejanyan Hovhannes Bejanyan Garegin Davtyan Robert Elibekyan Henri Elibekyan Saro Galents Vruir Galstian Ruben Ghevondyan Alexandr Grigoryan Anatoli Grigoryan Stella Grigoryan Mikayel Gyurjyan Ara Harutyunyan Hrant Hovsepyan Manuk Hovsepyan Aram Isabekyan Norayr Karganyan Grigor Khanjyan Seyran Khatlamajyan Henrik Mamyan Levon Manaseryan Sargis Muradyan Suren Nazaryan Anatoli Papyan Samvel Petrosyan Suren Safaryan Hambardzum Sahakyan Vladimir Sahakyan Mkrtich Sedrakyan Henrik Siravyan Levon Tokmajyan Varuzhan Vardanyan Vahan Xorenyan Rafael Ghazaryan Valery Geghamyan Exhibitions The academy has a permanent exhibition hall named after Albert and Tove Boyajian, opened on 1 May 2001. International relations The Yerevan State Academy of Fine Arts has international agreements with