Professor at Laval University (Canada), physicist Tigran Galstyan teaches photonics as a member of faculty of “Quanta” master’s program in quantum and mesoscopic physics. Professor Galstyan’s subject covers optics and optical technologies.
“Some topics of my course are academic, but it also has a very important application aspect, meaning how optical technologies are used and how scientific discoveries turn into innovations and then products,” explained Prof. Galstyan.
This is his first teaching experience in Armenia. According to Tigran Galstyan, he was happy to receive the invitation to teach the students of “Quanta”.
“I have always been curious about the Armenian youth, I’ve wanted to see what it’s like nowadays compared to the young years of my generation,” he noted.
Prof. Galstyan started his journey in higher education at the Physics Department of the Yerevan State University. Later, he moved to Moscow, where he defended his thesis on “Quantum electronics”. Currently, Tigran Galstyan is a member of the Engineers’ Association of Quebec (Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec/OIQ, Canada). He teaches engineering physics and has laboratories at the Laval University.
“At one lab, we do science, at another, we study materials. We mainly work on optical materials, components, and devices, we make cameras. They are often used in medicine and biology, for instance, in brain studies,” said Tigran Galstyan.
He is involved both in teaching and in scientific research, in particular, he studies the transformation of technologies, i. e. transformation of academic knowledge into innovation and practical application of it. As someone with experience of working in different countries, Prof. Galstyan believes that Armenia’s field of optics has a big potential for development, and international experience in this field should be brought to Armenia.
“Programs like “Quanta” are great initiatives. We need to use existing experience as much as we can. It would also be productive to get together several specialists and organize discussions to outline strategic areas for the state,” added Professor.
In his course for “Quanta”, Prof. Tigran Galstyan uses concrete examples to encourage students’ interest toward optics.
“My lectures are structured in the way to directly show the connection between innovations and their possible application and sale every time I explain fundamental academic principles. When I give concrete examples, the topic becomes much more interesting to the students,” noted Prof. Galstyan.
When asked to share advice on how to become successful, Professor said: “Firstly, you need to love what you do. That is the most important condition. Secondly, you’ve got to be dedicated. This job requires certain sacrifices, but when you love it, it doesn’t really feel like sacrifice. To love the job, you need to know it, and when you’ve determined that it is what you want to do in life, the next step is to work diligently and purposefully.”
