On August 26-28, 2018, the Public Council under the Ministry of Defense of RA headed by Mr. Gegham Harutyunyan organized a regular visit to the military units of the Artsakh Republic Defense Army.

On August 27, the members of the teaching staff presented lectures on the history of the First Armenian Republic in different military units of Artsakh.

On the same day at 17:00 pm, Mr. Bako Sahakyan, President of the Republic of Artsakh and General Levon Mnatsakanyan, commander of the Defense Army of the Republic of Artsakh, welcomed the lecturers and members of the Public Council. The meeting started with a surprise but very pleasant ceremony. 15 members of the teaching staff of the "History and Cultural Page" program, most of whom were researchers of the Institute of History of the Armenian National Academy of Sciences were awarded with state medals for the contribution to the military-patriotic upbringing of the servicemen of the Defense Army.

On February 19, 2018, Prof. Ashot Melkonyan, director of the Institute of History, NAS RA was awarded by the "Vachagan Barepasht" medal. The same medal was also awarded to Prof. Karen Khachatryan, Deputy Director of the Institute, and Prof. Vahan Melikyan, as well as Dr.  Ruben Sahakyan and Dr. Armenuhi Ghambaryan. Prof. Gevorg Stepanyan, Dr. Anahit Khosroeva and Dr. Karen Hayrapetyan were awarded with state medals of "Gratitude".