Jopscip

01/10/2026

🎓 Guest Lectures at YSU: Mixed Methods Research

Yerevan State University invites students to a two-day lecture and workshop series on combining qualitative and quantitative methods in political science research.

Organized within the EU co-funded Erasmus+ JOPSCIP project, the series will be delivered by Jovan Bliznakovski, PhD, Associate Professor at the Institute for Sociological, Political and Juridical Research, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje.

📅 October 20–21, 2026
🕐 13:00 on both days, Yerevan time
📍 Center for European Studies, Yerevan State University

🔹 October 20 — Why combine qualitative and quantitative methods?
Explore how mixed methods can strengthen a study and when combining approaches offers advantages over using a single method.

🔹 October 21 — Designing a mixed-methods study
Learn how to develop a mixed-methods research design step by step and apply your knowledge in a hands-on workshop.

The series is particularly relevant for students preparing their theses and anyone interested in developing well-justified research designs.

All students interested in research methodology are welcome!

05/08/2026

We're pleased to share that the JoPScip project has been featured in the latest edition of the UKIM Projects Newsletter! 🎉

The feature highlights the project's objectives, recent achievements, and ongoing activities, helping increase the visibility of JoPScip among the academic community, researchers, students, and external stakeholders while further disseminating the project's results beyond the consortium.

📖 Read the newsletter here:https://ukim.edu.mk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/projects-newsletter_ukim_june2026.pdf

25/05/2026

📣 Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the new international master’s degree program “Political Science: Integration and Governance” (PoSIG).

🗓️ On June 1 at 14:30, Yerevan State University will host an Open Door Day dedicated to the program, where participants will learn more about its structure, international partnerships, academic opportunities, and admission process.

The program combines political science, European integration, and modern governance approaches to create an international and competitive academic environment.

🎓 Students, graduates, and everyone interested in the field are warmly invited to attend.

Բաց դռների օր - Հունիսի 1-ին, ժամը 14։30 Joint Master in Political Science - Integration and Governance - PoSIG
- Քաղաքագիտության մագիստրոսը՝ հիմնարար կրթությամբ և լայն հեռանկարով մասնագետ է, որը հասկանում է քաղաքական գործընթացի տարբեր կողմերը։
- Ընթացիկ իրադարձություններն ու երևույթները վերլուծելու նրա կարողությունը, համեմատական քաղաքականության, Եվրոպական ինտեգրման, միջազգային հարաբերությունների և հանրային կառավարման գիտելիքների հետ մեկտեղ, թույլ է տալիս նրան դառնալ արդյունավետ և անփոխարինելի խորհրդատուներ քաղաքական գործիչների կամ պաշտոնյաների համար, ինչպես նաև մասնագետներ, որոնք կարող են օգնել համագործակցություն հաստատել պետական մարմինների և քաղաքացիական հասարակության հետ։
Քաղաքագիտության մագիստրոսը հասկանում է, թե ինչպես է գործում պետությունն ու հասարակությունը և կարող է արդյունավետորեն օգտագործել այդ գիտելիքները իր աշխատանքում։
- Բաց դռների օրվա հանդիպմանը մանրամասն կքննարկենք դասընթացների, դասախոսների, փոխանակման ծրագրերի, պրակտիկայի և ապագա աշխատանքի մասին հարցեր։

22/05/2026

🎓 Another successful test teaching activity within the Erasmus+ JoPScip project!

At Tbilisi State University, Dr. Soso Makaradze (PLUS) delivered a session on **“Research Design for Political Science.”**

The lecture focused on how to build strong and well-structured political science research — from developing research questions and hypotheses to choosing appropriate methods and designing comparative studies. Participants also discussed practical challenges young researchers face while conducting academic and policy-oriented research.

22/05/2026

🎓 Within the framework of the Erasmus+ CBHE [JoPScip Project]a test teaching activity lecture on “Contested Sovereignty: The Example of the Balkan Countries” was conducted by Milka Dimitrovska from UKIM-Skopje.

The lecture explored the complex dynamics of sovereignty, statehood, ethnic politics, and regional governance in the Balkan region, with particular attention to the political and historical factors shaping contemporary state-building processes and regional cooperation.

Participants engaged in discussions on contested statehood, identity politics, European integration processes, and the broader implications of sovereignty disputes for democratic governance and political stability in Southeast Europe.

The activity contributed to strengthening academic exchange and innovative teaching practices within the JoPScip consortium, while promoting comparative and interdisciplinary approaches in political science education.

22/05/2026

Prof. Dr. Ashot Aleksanyan, Head of the Chair of Political Science at YSU, met with newly graduated BA students of the Faculty of International Relations to present the Joint MA Program in Political Science – Integration and Governance .

During the meeting, students learned more about the program’s structure, interdisciplinary curriculum, international mobility opportunities, career pathways, and admission procedures. The discussion also highlighted the advantages of studying within an internationally accredited joint master’s program implemented in cooperation with European and regional partner universities.

The event provided graduates with an opportunity to explore future academic and professional perspectives in political science, governance, public administration, diplomacy, and policy analysis.

11/05/2026

At the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA), students had the opportunity to participate in a series of engaging co-teaching sessions led by visiting scholar - UKIM professor Dr. Aneta Cekikj. Delivered together with GIPA lecturer - Ekaterine Chavchanidze and GIPA professor Dr. Bakur Kvashilava, the sessions explored the role of interest groups, lobbying, and political representation within the European Union and emerging democracies.
During the lectures, Dr. Cekikj introduced students to the complex dynamics of lobbying in the EU, explaining how various actors mobilize interests and seek influence at the supranational level. Through practical examples and discussion, students examined how institutions, civil society organizations, and political actors interact within European governance structures.

The sessions also addressed the challenges faced by new democracies, focusing on how interest groups gain access to political systems and shape decision-making processes. The classes encouraged active participation, critical thinking, and open discussion, creating a highly interactive academic environment.

05/05/2026

Hosting Prof. Dr. Natasha Gaber-Damjanovska from UKIM at YSU for a series of insightful lectures.

The sessions focused on:
🔹 Political system and European integration of North Macedonia
🔹 Civil society and fundamental rights, including freedom of assembly, association, and expression

The lectures explored key trends in democratization and Europeanization, highlighting EU integration as a central pathway for development—especially for small states navigating complex global dynamics.

Participants engaged in discussions on:
• EU institutional structures and membership conditions
• Accession processes and political requirements
• Socioeconomic impacts of EU integration
• The role of political parties and civil society

💬 The sessions concluded with an interactive exchange, encouraging comparative perspectives on political rights, governance, and integration processes.

We thank Prof. Dr. Gaber-Damjanovska for her valuable contribution to the program and for fostering meaningful academic dialogue.

29/04/2026

A lecture by visiting professor Bojana Naumovska from UKIM – Skopje on “Electoral Systems in South-East Europe.”
The session offered a comparative look at how different electoral systems across the region influence political competition, coalition-building, representation, and government stability. By drawing on examples from South-East European countries, students explored why electoral rules matter and how they can shape both democratic practice and political outcomes.

Special attention was given to the relationship between institutional design and political context, showing that the same electoral model can produce very different results depending on the broader environment in which it operates.

💬 Through discussion and exchange of ideas, students were encouraged to think critically about elections not only as voting procedures, but as key mechanisms that structure political life and democratic governance.

20/04/2026

🌍 Thought-provoking discussions within the PoSIG Joint Master’s Programme – Political Science: Integration & Governance.

An open panel on “New World Order – Ongoing Conflict in the Middle East: New Normal or Exception?” brought together leading experts to reflect on shifting global dynamics, regional security challenges, and emerging opportunities in today’s changing international landscape.

🎙️ Speakers shared valuable insights and engaged with participants on one of the most pressing issues of our time.

🤝 the PoSIG community is fostering critical dialogue, academic exchange, and international cooperation.