The Armenian Cardinal Gregory Peter XV Aghajanian—a Pioneering Figure in the Holy Roman Church

The presented paper is dedicated to one of the prominent Armenians of the 20th century world, Cardinal Gregory Peter XV Aghajanian (1895–1971), who, with his influential role, stands as a monumental figure in the Holy Roman Catholic Church, at the same time being an outstanding figure of Armenian identity and heritage. Being born in a region marked by political and social upheaval (in the Caucasus), then living in the West and in the East parts of the world and traveling around the globe, he devoted his life to the clerical mission and regulation of inter-ecclesiastical issues, ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, aiming to spread Catholicism as well as to bridge divisions between different Christian denominations and promote understanding among diverse Christian communities. Cardinal Aghajanian, an Armenian Catholic priest, played a significant role as a high-ranking cleric and ‘pastoral diplomat’ within the Vatican. Being the Patriarch-Catholicos of Cilicia from 1937 to 1962, he attained the rank of cardinal in 1946 and subsequently held the position of prefect of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith from 1958/60 to 1970. He played a key role in the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), acting for renewal and reforms within the Catholic Church. Appointed as a member of the Roman Curia and serving in different positions, he attempted to promote dialogue between the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox churches. He was also known for his work with the Eastern Catholic Churches and his contributions to their missionary activities and the canon regulation. His contributions are also obvious to the Armenian Catholic presence within the larger Catholic community. Aghajanian's ecclesiastical and missionary legacy is characterized by his commitment to unity and the promotion of peace, making him a pioneering figure in the evolution of the Church during a transformative period of the 20th century. His brilliant knowledge and diplomatic skills, mastering the art of negotiation, and the virtues characteristic of a cleric earned him a position of influence within the Roman Church, where his insights and guidance were sought after in matters of both faith and governance. He was twice nominated and considered as a candidate for Pope (1958 and 1963), possibly due to the above circumstances. Finally, he lived during a unique period of the evolution of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, i.e., during the reign of the 20th century's distinguished popes, among them Pius X (1903-1914), Benedict XV (1914-1922), Pius XI (1922-1939), Pius XII (1939-1958), John XXIII (1958-1963), and Paul VI (1963-1978). So, he was the Armenian who was noticed by some of the mentioned popes, entrusting him with a number of important positions and missions, thus further ensuring his irreplaceable place in the then-operating Roman Curia and the Church atmosphere in general. Essentially, Cardinal Aghajanian was destined to become one of the most famous figures of the Holy See of the Vatican in the middle of the 20th century, to be a part of various world political-diplomatic, spiritual, ecclesiastical, and international affairs, and in consequence to be at the center of those events. His rich lifetime activities may be divided into a few parts: a priest and a teacher, a bishop and an administrator, the patriarch—a caring father and a pastoral diplomat, a cardinal and a voice for spreading Christianity, a high-ranking cleric, and a diplomatic figure in ecclesiastical-political matters. He always acted for Catholicism, for the propagation of the faith and evangelization

Manifestation of Armenian-Iranian Architectural and Artistic Interactions in the Exterior and Interior Formation of the Churches of New Julfa

This article attempts to reveal the manifestations of Armenian-Iranian architectural and artistic interactions in the churches of New Julfa, focusing on their unique characteristics and various influences. New Julfa was created by the Armenians who were forcibly relocated to the territory of Iran by Shah Abbas I (1588-1629). This relocation not only served as a response to political and economic needs but also became a focal moment for the formation of the cultural and architectural identity of the created Armenian community in the Safavid Empire (1501-1722). Actually, the Armenian district of New Julfa, established in Isfahan in the early XVII century, represents a fascinating confluence of Armenian and Iranian cultures, particularly visible in the architectural and artistic styling of its churches. The interactions between Armenian and Iranian styles and principles not only highlight the unique identity of the churches of New Julfa but also reflect broader international artistic exchanges of the period. It was conditioned by the trade ties of Armenian merchants with Europe, as well as with the Near East and Far East. Indeed, the churches of New Julfa are notable for their unique architectural form and spatial organization, external and interior design. The used local materials in the Armenian churches, such as brick and tile, demonstrate the collaboration between Armenian and Iranian interactions. In terms of internal formation, the Armenian churches in New Julfa demonstrate the influences of both Armenian and Iranian features, as well as the European style, which is obvious in their interior decoration, such as frescoes and murals, tiles, and pictures. In other words, these churches combine Armenian Christian symbolism and Iranian elegance, resulting in the creation of a unique manifestation of both styles. Thus, the residential houses, churches, and other structures built in New Julfa during the XVII-XVIII centuries reflect a distinctive blend of Armenian architectural traditions and local Iranian influences, resulting in a unique architectural creation. At present, New Julfa is still a densely populated Armenian district in Isfahan with Armenian schools and more than a dozen remarkable churches

Crisis Management through Crisis Communication: Lessons from a Higher Educational Institution

All higher educational institutions experience different types of crises. In the early 2020, higher educational institutions experienced various types of crises and these crises tested the resiliency of every institution.  This case study aimed to examine how a higher educational institutions in a highly urbanized city managed the crises it faced during the pandemic especially in the area of crisis communication. It aimed to describe how the subject institution utilized crisis communication during the COVID-19 Pandemic; determine the effectiveness of crisis communication in addressing concerns; and proposed improvements that can be made to crisis communications in higher educational institutions. An asynchronous interview was employed by the researcher with 17 members of the management team. This study found out that the manger participants have had concerns with the well-being of their family, the quality in delivering their service products to the customers, and job security. It also found out that the methods employed by subject university resulted in a positive reception of the crisis communication message. While the sentiments of the respondents were mostly positive, there were unmistakable shortcomings such as concerns or questions from stakeholder not being addressed in a timely and supportive manner. While the subject institution is not uniquely affected by the pandemic, its crisis communication response may help the progress and development of crisis communication across different industries and organizational cultures

The Research on Promotion of Higher Vocational Students’ Professional Abilities Based on the Belt and Road Initiative

This paper delves into the connotations and key areas of cooperation within the Belt and Road Initiative, analyzing the main industries propelled by the strategy and the ensuing demands on talent vocational skills. It proposes that vocational students should emphasize enhancing four key occupational capabilities: understanding of regulatory policies, execution capability of international standards, application capability of foreign languages, and identification capability with national cultures. The study advocates for reforming teaching with "Collaboration" as the Core Focus, cultivating students with the Theme of "Exchange," and enriching practice with an Outward Orientation to foster technically skilled talents adaptable to the Belt and Road Strategy. This approach provides insights for innovative positioning in talent cultivation, upgrading the standards of talent development, and enhancing vocational capabilities in higher vocational institutions

Providing a Pattern and Planning Method for Footpaths and Sidewalks to Protect Deteriorated and Vulnerable Urban Contexts

This research seeks to answer this question to prevent the waste of capital in routes without potential and allocate facilities and facilities to routes with potential to encourage people to move on foot on short trips. Through what criteria and indicators can the existing potential of the roads be measured, and as a result, by finding the optimal routes for pedestrian traffic, one of the most important problems of the public's lack of acceptance of non-motorized transportation can be solved. At first, by using the descriptive-analytical research method, through library studies, the existing literature in this field and also the experiences of other countries of the world and Iran have been investigated. In this way, the theoretical framework of the research has been formed and effective criteria and indicators have been extracted in measuring the potential of roads for pedestrian movement. In this way, four criteria of land use, traffic safety, security, attractiveness, and comfort have been defined. The extracted criteria and sub-criteria are valued through the process of hierarchical analysis and the Delphi method. In the next step, by using the case-based research method, the data related to the sub-criteria at the level of the roads in the study area are collected through observation and interview entered into the geographic information system, and finally analyzed by the geographic information system and in some cases, The layout of the space (to measure the network continuity) is done and the routes with potential for pedestrian movement are extracted. Finally, from the summation of the weighted values obtained for each of the roads regarding land use criteria, traffic safety, security attractiveness, and comfort, the final score of each of the roads in the study area (intended statistical population) about the potential Passages are obtained to create suitable routes for pedestrian traffic

Evaluation and Optimization of Building Greening Methods in Four Different Climates Using Building Information Modeling (BIM)

BIM, which stands for Building Information Modeling, is a methodology that allows architects to digitally simulate their design and manage all the information related to an architectural project. BIM systems include the fourth dimension (time dimension) and the fifth dimension (cost dimension). On the other hand, sustainable development is a complex concept that includes different aspects. In sustainability, the three economic, environmental, and social aspects are fully interacting with each other, and most researchers examine sustainability in these three main aspects (Triple Bottom Line) of environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Therefore, in this research, we have examined four objectives, which first evaluate the impact of building orientation on reducing energy consumption by using building information modeling (BIM) and determine the most optimal direction. Then we examine the effect of the placement of skylights and openings on reducing energy consumption by using building information modeling (BIM). Finally, we examine the effect of using green facades and building smartness on the energy consumption of the building. Finally, by comparing the results obtained from the Design-Builder software, the most optimal modes are determined

Experiences of Secondary School Administrators in the Implementation of Distance Learning Delivery Modality in the New Normal

The coronavirus outbreak had provided varied challenges to the school administrators in managing the schools. This qualitative study determined the experiences of 20 secondary school heads of the Ozamiz City Division. Through a phenomenological approach, this research endeavor comprised a series of interviews and focus group discussions in gathering the data, which were categorized into themes using Van Manen’s thematic analysis. The five central themes are (1) Preparing Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) for Distance Learning, (2) Attending virtual meetings and webinars, (3) performance monitoring and evaluation, (4) conducting assessment activities, and (5) managing administrative tasks. The school heads had different experiences as they performed the function of administrative support in preparation for the school's readiness for the implementation of distance learning. The researchers concluded that although some school heads find the implementation challenging due to varied preparations that need to be done, they still persevere in implementing the program. The optimism of the school heads in implementing distance learning was very strong. The study recommends that school administrators be trained on time management and stress management so they can cope smoothly with the challenges brought about by education during the pandemic.  

The Impact of Smart Management Systems on Operational Efficiency and Cost Reduction

This study evaluates the impact of smart management systems on operational efficiency and cost reduction within five enterprises in Manila, Philippines. By integrating advanced IoT technologies and data analytics, these enterprises reported significant improvements in key performance indicators such as Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and production downtime reduction. The data was collected through comprehensive surveys, in-depth interviews, and detailed case studies conducted over a two-month period. Findings reveal that the implementation of smart management systems resulted in an average 20% reduction in production downtime, a 15% improvement in OEE, and annual cost savings averaging PHP 3,500,000. However, challenges such as high initial implementation costs and the need for extensive staff training were also noted. This research underscores the potential of smart management systems to enhance operational efficiencies and reduce costs while also highlighting the practical challenges that need to be addressed for successful implementation

Application of BIM in Energy Conservation in Low-Cost Housing in Case of Study in Dallas Independent School Residential District, Texas

Building Information Modeling is used to build and manage data throughout the project lifecycle from design, construction, and operations. In this technology, multi-threaded data is used to create detailed virtual views in a cloud platform, which allows project members to collaborate in real-time without wasting time. It can also operate and manage the building by using the data that the owners of the building or structure have access to. This data allows governments, municipalities, and property managers to make informed decisions based on information derived from the model, even after the building is constructed. This research, using quantitative methodology, aims to investigate the current state of BIM performance regarding the approaches of converting "affordable residential housing" to "green affordable housing" by reducing the cost of maintaining units and improving their quality with a focus on saving in energy through the implementation of construction details using BIM. In this regard, the Independent School Residential District in Dallas, Texas, and the residential complex built by the government for low-income groups were selected. The main question of the research is whether the behavioral modeling of the residents and the building together can act as an efficiency tool to increase the energy efficiency in the building. Finally, it was found that in low-cost housing such as social housing produced in Texas under the title of housing for low-income society, building information modeling along with user behavior modeling of these buildings together can be a powerful tool to increase building productivity and reducing current costs in the hands of designers and builders

Student’s Technology Literacy Skills and Level of Motivation in Relation to their Online Learning Behavior

This research investigates the nexus of students' technology literacy skills, motivation levels, and online learning behavior at Misamis University, College of Education, during the 2020–2021 academic year. Employing a descriptive-correlational design, the study sampled 126 education students using a simple random sampling technique. Utilizing three adapted questionnaires, the research explored students' technology literacy skills, motivation levels, and online learning behavior. Data collection was facilitated through Google Forms, and statistical analysis involved the mean, standard deviation, and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. The findings revealed that education students exhibited remarkably high levels of technology literacy skills, motivation, and positive online learning behaviors. Additionally, students demonstrated elevated digital citizenship, participation, innovative skills, and a strong sense of self-determination. Noteworthy was their high technical proficiency, creativity, perceived values, and interest in online courses. Importantly, the study established a significant correlation between students' technology literacy skills, motivation levels, and their online learning behavior. Consequently, students' conduct and performance in the online learning environment were discernibly influenced by their technological competencies and motivational factors. The study recommends the sustained use of innovative teaching strategies, the creation of effective learning environments, and the integration of technology in developing online learning materials. These recommendations aim to further amplify students' online learning behavior, underscoring the pivotal roles of technology literacy skills and motivation in shaping the dynamics of the online educational landscape