Associate Professor Arax Pashayan, PhD in History and Head of the Department of International Relations at the Institute of Oriental Studies, participated in the “Progress through effective science. Pes-2026” conference held in Dilijan from May 11 to 14, 2026.

As a member of the grant project entitled “The Interplay of Islam and Nationalism in the Countries Neighbouring the Republic of Armenia: Transformations of Identity and Politics” (grant code: 21AG-6A081), she presented the project’s key findings, ongoing research, and future directions.

The presentation focused on a range of issues concerning the transformation of political identity, state-building processes, national visions, and socio-political developments in the countries neighbouring the Republic of Armenia — namely Iran, Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. Particular attention was devoted to the significant role played by both Islam and nationalism in shaping these dynamics.

The grant project is being carried out within the framework of the “Support for Advanced Research” program funded by the Higher Education and Science Committee of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia.