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AUA Receives $900K USAID/ASHA Grant to Construct the Najarian Center for Social Entrepreneurship

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YEREVAN, Armenia – On October 3, 2018, the American University of Armenia (AUA) received notification of a grant of $900,000 from the American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) program of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This grant is earmarked for the reconstruction and furnishing of the second of two buildings donated to AUA by K. George and Dr. Carolann Najarian. The last ASHA award of $999K was for the reconstruction and furnishing of the first Najarian building as AUA’s future student residence facility.

The Najarian Center for Social Entrepreneurship project addresses the mission of the University to drive social change in Armenia. It will provide the learning and creative space, tools and resources for advancing social entrepreneurship. Students engaged in the activities and programming will develop the essential knowledge and skills to lead social innovation and model best practices for creating impact ventures.

The project supports the strategic goals of the University to promote student learning, provide spaces where students, alumni and faculty nurture their agency for social change, create synergies between the public and private sectors, and facilitate collaborations in innovation and social entrepreneurship.

As noted by AUA President Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian, “Bringing these programs closer together under the same roof will create new synergies for enhanced community service and promotion of social entrepreneurship.  We are very grateful that, thanks to ASHA’s tremendous support, we will be able to accomplish this important project at a time when the local communities and citizenry are ready to share social responsibility. This helps AUA create the next generation of social problem solvers and entrepreneurs.”

With the addition of a fourth floor, the Center will add 1,351 sq.m. of net usable space (1,691 sq.m. gross space) to house AUA programs, including the Center for Research in Applied Linguistics (CRAL), the Acopian Center for the Environment (ACE), and a new partnership with Impact Hub Yerevan. Aside from the capacity to accommodate the increasing number of child learners, degree and non-degree students, and continuing education learners, the Center will have conference facilities and offer state-of-the-art platforms that will reach diverse audiences.

In the words of Provost Dr. Randall Rhodes, the AUA Najarian Center for Social Entrepreneurship complements other entrepreneurial initiatives in Armenia by placing strong emphasis on the social components of development: “As per its mission, the AUA is committed to the social, economic and political development of the nation. While most initiatives related to entrepreneurship have focused on the IT sector, this new Najarian Center for Social Entrepreneurship will highlight initiatives fostering capacity building in other realms such as social welfare, education, environmentalism and civil society. As many of our students will be participating in these initiatives and benefiting from access to Impact Hub Yerevan’s mentor network, the AUA’s impact on Yerevan and Armenia will assuredly grow.”

In that regard, AUA’s partnership with Impact Hub Yerevan — Armenia Social Innovation Development Foundation — will expand the students’ reach to a global network of professionals at 90+ Impact Hubs worldwide and 16,000+ change makers. This will enhance their empowerment through accelerator programs in social entrepreneurship that will contribute toward nurturing their ideas, connecting them with social entrepreneurs and NGOs in Armenia and abroad, realizing impact projects, and promoting research on issues related to social, environmental and cultural innovation.

“This ASHA grant is truly an affirmation of the mission of the University and its role in promoting democratic principles and values, gender and social change, and public outreach,” asserted Assistant Vice President Anahit Ordyan.  This grant supplements the financial support the University has received from ASHA since the University’s founding to around 14 million U.S. dollars.

As an integral part of AUA’s sustained relationship with ASHA, earlier in October, Vice President of Operations Ashot Ghazaryan, Assistant Vice President Anahit Ordyan, Accounts Manager Lilia Darbinian from AUAC Oakland, and AUA Extension Program Operations Manager Anahit Ghazaryan attended the annual ASHA conference in Washington, D.C. The focus of this year’s conference was on the strategic priorities and quantifiable outcomes of US public diplomacy in projects abroad, and upcoming changes in managing ASHA grants.

ASHA aids American schools, libraries, and medical centers abroad that serve as study and demonstration centers promoting American ideas and practices. ASHA’s grants help these institutions train future leaders in a wide variety of disciplines, support local and regional infrastructure to foster development and cultivate positive relationships and mutual understanding among citizens of the host country, the United States and other nations.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.

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A Statue with a Story, What do Students and Staff at “AUA” American University of Armenia know about

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Photo By gagrule.net Wally Sarkeesian and Nelly Der kiureghian  shaking hand of the statue inside AUA. Building Yerevan Armenia.

Have you ever paid attention to the statue near the entrance of AUA’s new building?  a survey conducted to find out how much AUA students and staff know about it. Unsurprisingly, there were many interesting answers.

Whose statue is it?

Almost all the students have heard about the name of the statue. However, there are some misinterpretations of the name such as ‘Papazian’, ‘Paramazian’. A few freshmen haven’t even noticed the statue while running from class to class. Others honestly stated that they didn’t know whose statue it was. One of the freshmen said, “I study here and I didn’t read the poster on the wall, but my family once visited the university and my father noticed and read the whole text before leaving. I guess you can see the difference of the generations.”

Watch also: watch-touring-american-university-of-armenia

What is the name of the new building?

A brief moment after answering “Paramaz Avedisian Building”, I watched their faces light up, as they discovered the answer to the previous question. “Is it him? Is he Paramaz Avedisian?” Yes. It is the statue of Paramaz Avedisian. (And if you haven’t figured it out yet, the building is also in his name).

On the other hand, almost half of the participants were very well informed about the statue and even knew some details about the life of Paramaz Avedisian. One of the sophomores said, “If I am not mistaken, Paramaz was also interested in music.” AUA staff knew significantly more about the statue than the students.

The provost Dr. Randall Rhodes also talked about the statue: “I met Paramaz and I think the statue is not doing him justice. When I look at it, I get the impression of a young boy who is ready to go out and play. But he actually was a very wise and serious man.”

Who was Paramaz Avedisian?

The two most common opinions among students were that Paramaz was either one of AUA’s founders or one of its donors.

In reality, Paramaz is the older brother of Edward Avedisian, a private investor, who is a part of AUA’s Board of Trustees.

Nonetheless, some people knew about his activities in the field of education and answered that he was a philanthropist, who championed education in the Armenian community.

After my survey, two girls were discussing the position of the statue. One girl  suggested bringing the statue forward, so that people could see it from up-close and so that people can touch it. “It would be so awesome if I could high-five him as I go to class,” a student said.

What is the position of the statue and what does it resemble?

From all the people I surveyed, only one student was attentive enough and correctly answered my question. Davit Yeghiazaryan, you deserve a shout out!

The statue of Paramaz is leaning forward and his arm is extended, as he greets everyone entering the building. The statue itself is of a young Paramaz, so that it can inspire the youth at AUA!

After explaining the posture to people, I witnessed how they all became so happy and pleasantly surprised when they learned about the meaning of the statue.

One thing I learned is that everyone is familiar with the statue. Some might not know his name, some might not remember his story, but we all see him every single day when entering AUA. That statue is a part of our new life at the American University of Armenia.

“Hrammetsek,” (Welcome) to the future, the American University of Armenia’s Paramaz Avedisian Building

Vahagn Khachatryan

A Statue with a Story

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Armenian Bar Association & American University of Armenia Launch Legal Clinic

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Gerard Kassabian, Esq., David Balabanian, Esq., Zaven Sinanian, Nelly Der Kiureghian, Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian, Lara Kayayan, Esq., Robert Philibosian, Dr. Michael Kouchakdjian and Saro Kerkonian, Esq. at Golden State Bank in Glendale, CA

GLENDALE — The American University of Armenia (AUA) and the Armenian Bar Association joined forces to sponsor a new Technology and Innovation Legal Clinic at AUA’s campus in Yerevan through two receptions in California, led by David Balabanian, Esq.

The Golden State Bank in Glendale hosted the Los Angeles metro area gathering and the law offices of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP in San Francisco, with Balabanian as host, served as the engaging settings for legal professionals, AUA leadership and supporters who came together to learn more about the association’s partnership with Armenia’s leading university and its innovative projects for current and future students.

Balabanian, the first chairman of the Bar Association, welcomed guests and highlighted the significance of raising dialogue about the role of legal education in Armenia by creating stronger ties between the Diaspora and the homeland. Through his work with the group, Balabanian has brought continued awareness to critical legal issues in Armenia, which is now at a crossroads thanks to the Velvet Revolution and a newfound respect for the law.

“We are experiencing a new era in Armenia,” said Balabanian, who practices commercial litigation. “We hope to expect rule of law and as lawyers we have a special obligation to ensure the safeguarding of the legal system.”

Launching in Fall 2018, the Technology and Innovation Legal Clinic, whose operating costs will be sponsored by the Armenian Bar Association, will be made available to the student community through AUA’s Master of Laws (LL.M.) program.

The clinic, which Balabanian noted as a “valuable resource,” will be the first in Armenia to address the needs for professional legal counseling in rapidly growing fields, including technology, which is experiencing a 20-percent growth in Armenia. Selected AUA students will gain hands-on experience working and providing counseling to IT and engineering startups in relation to a wide range of legal issues, from company registration to contracting to intellectual property rights protection.

The legal clinic is one of the many projects Balabanian has spearheaded for the legal community over the years. In addition to his work with the association, he has served as chairman of the California State Bar Conference of Delegates, lawyer delegate to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, trustee of the Practicing Law Institute, and a member of the Harvard Law School Visiting Committee. As an instructor, he has taught more than 150 continuing legal education courses and written extensively on law-related topics.

During his remarks, AUA President Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian shared with attendees important updates about the University, including the recently signed bill that provides free law school tuition to the University of California, Hastings College of the Law for AUA graduates who are residents of California.

“The signing of this bill by Senator Anthony Portantino shows the confidence that the state of California and UC Hastings have in the American University of Armenia,” he said.

He elaborated on the positive changes occurring in Armenia, including the election of a government and a Prime Minister “who respects the law in Armenia and adheres to the principles of fairness and democracy.”

Der Kiureghian noted that the student body and faculty were involved in the Velvet Revolution, choosing to exercise their civic duty and rights. He spoke of the work of AUA’s Entrepreneurship and Product Innovation Center (EPIC), which will work in tandem with the Technology and Innovation Legal Clinic, as well as AUA’s partnerships with USAID and plans to start an AUA press.

“We have matured as a university,” said Der Kiureghian. “And we maintain our promise of selecting students based on merit and not financial capacity, making sure we attract the brightest minds.”

As the director of one of the most creative and effective centers at AUA, EPIC, Dr. Michael Kouchakdjian elaborated on the activities of the ecosystem, which provides AUA’s emerging entrepreneurs with a collaborative space consisting of programs, events and a network of mentors, advisors and investors. In relation to its partnership with the Technology and Innovation Legal Clinic, workshops and seminars will be organized for EPIC and other IT and engineering enterprises and teams. In addition, thanks to the Armenian Bar Association’s sponsorship, top quality legal professionals will supervise the activities of the LL.M. program students in order to ensure consistency and quality of service. Touching on the synergy between the Center and AUA, Kouchakdjian said that through EPIC, the community at large can engage in the startup venture ecosystem, which is becoming increasingly popular in Armenia.

Dr. Lawrence Pitts, Chair of the Board of Trustees and former Provost of the University of California system, said AUA has become a transformative university in Armenia and through the support of benefactors, it can become the best in the region.

“AUA is a superb investment in Armenia, like the University of California is a great investment for the state,” said Dr. Pitts. “Our students are the future of the country, and AUA works hard to prepare them successfully as employees, researchers and engaged citizens, which is the best way for Armenia to grow and prosper in the coming years.”

Source: https://mirrorspectator.com/2018/09/25/armenian-bar-association-american-university-of-armenia-launch-legal-clinic/

 

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Armenian Bar Association & American University of Armenia Launch Legal Clinic

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GLENDALE, U.S. ‒ The American University of Armenia (AUA) and the Armenian Bar Association (ABA) joined forces to sponsor a new Technology and Innovation Legal Clinic at AUA’s campus in Yerevan through two receptions in California, led by David Balabanian, Esq.

The Golden State Bank in Glendale hosted the Los Angeles metro area gathering and the law offices of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, LLP in San Francisco, with Balabanian as host, served as the engaging settings for legal professionals, AUA leadership and supporters who came together to learn more about ABA’s partnership with Armenia’s leading university and its innovative projects for current and future students.

Balabanian, the first chairman of the ABA, welcomed guests and highlighted the significance of raising dialogue about the role of legal education in Armenia by creating stronger ties between the Diaspora and the homeland. Through his work with the ABA, Balabanian has brought continued awareness to critical legal issues in Armenia, which is now at a crossroads thanks to the Velvet Revolution and a newfound respect for the law.

“We are experiencing a new era in Armenia,” said Balabanian, who practices commercial litigation. “We hope to expect rule of law and as lawyers we have a special obligation to ensure the safeguarding of the legal system.”

Launching in the Fall of 2018, the Technology and Innovation Legal Clinic, whose operating costs will be sponsored by the ABA, will be made available to the student community through AUA’s Master of Laws (LL.M.) program.

The clinic, which Balabanian noted as a “valuable resource,” will be the first in Armenia to address the needs for professional legal counseling in rapidly growing fields, including technology, which is experiencing a 20% growth in Armenia. Selected AUA students will gain hands-on experience working and providing counseling to IT and engineering startups in relation to a wide range of legal issues, from company registration to contracting to intellectual property rights protection.

The legal clinic is one of the many projects Balabanian has spearheaded for the legal community over the years. In addition to his impactful work with the ABA, he has served as chairman of the California State Bar Conference of Delegates, lawyer delegate to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, trustee of the Practising Law Institute, and a member of the Harvard Law School Visiting Committee. As an instructor, he has taught more than 150 continuing legal education courses and written extensively on law-related topics.

During his remarks, AUA President Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian shared with attendees important updates about the University, including the recently signed bill that provides free law school tuition to the University of California, Hastings College of the Law for AUA graduates who are residents of California.

“The signing of this bill by Senator Anthony Portantino shows the confidence that the state of California and UC Hastings have in the American University of Armenia,” said Dr. Der Kiureghian.

He elaborated on the positive changes occuring in Armenia, including the election of a government and a Prime Minister “who respects the law in Armenia and adheres to the principles of fairness and democracy.”

President Der Kiureghian noted that the student body and faculty were involved in the Velvet Revolution, choosing to exercise their civic duty and rights. He spoke of the work of AUA’s Entrepreneurship and Product Innovation Center (EPIC), which will work in tandem with the Technology and Innovation Legal Clinic, as well as AUA’s partnerships with USAID and plans to start an AUA press.

“We have matured as a university,” said Dr. Der Kiureghian. “And we maintain our promise of selecting students based on merit and not financial capacity, making sure we attract the brightest minds.”

As the director of one of the most creative and effective centers at AUA, EPIC, Dr. Michael Kouchakdjian elaborated on the activities of the ecosystem, which provides AUA’s emerging entrepreneurs with a collaborative space consisting of programs, events and a network of mentors, advisors and investors. In relation to its partnership with the Technology and Innovation Legal Clinic, workshops and seminars will be organized for EPIC and other IT and engineering enterprises and teams. In addition, thanks to the ABA’s sponsorship, top quality legal professionals will supervise the activities of the LL.M. program students in order to ensure consistency and quality of service. Touching on the synergy between the Center and AUA, Dr. Kouchakdjian said that through EPIC, the community at large can engage in the startup venture ecosystem, which is becoming increasingly popular in Armenia.

Dr. Lawrence Pitts, Chair of the Board of Trustees and former Provost of the University of California system, said AUA has become a transformative university in Armenia and through the support of benefactors, it can become the best in the region.

“AUA is a superb investment in Armenia, like the University of California is a great investment for the state,” said Dr. Pitts. “Our students are the future of the country, and AUA works hard to prepare them successfully as employees, researchers and engaged citizens, which is the best way for Armenia to grow and prosper in the coming years.”

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values. For more information about the American University of Armenia and its donor opportunities, please visit www.aua.am.

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Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian President of American University of Armenia at AUA’s 100 Pillars Luncheon Video

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By Wally Sarkeesian

OC. California at Zov’s Restaurant A luncheon event hosted by Dr. Kris Mirzayan & wife Pam for American University of Armenia AUA’s 100 Pillars of Tomorrow.

keynote speaker Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian, President of American University of Armenia (AUA)

the event Began with speaker president of AUA Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian, see the video, what is the Pillars, the pillars are the generosity of the Armenian of Diaspora investing in the future and realizing the dreams of Armenian student. To become one of the pillars Pledge, $50,000 payable in 5 years, $10,000 year., Today American university of Armenian have 100 Pillars and continues to expand,
AUA is the only U.S. accredited university in all of Caucasus, AUA has been able to remain ahead of the curve in forging a new path for education in Armenia because of its supporters and its close affiliation with the University of California. At the end, Dr. Kris Mirzayan and Mrs. Pamella Mirzayan were awarded a plaque in Honor of Their Dedication to AUA’s Students, whom Dr. Kris Mirzayan calls” These Students are The Future of Armenia ”

Biography

Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian received his B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Tehran, Iran, and his Ph.D. in Structural Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1975. After three years at the University of Southern California, he joined the faculty at the University of California at Berkeley, where he has served as Assistant Professor (1978-81), Associate Professor (1981-85), Professor (1985- ), Vice Chair (1990-93) and Chair (1997-2001) of the Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Materials Program and as Vice Chair for Instruction (2007-2009) in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering.

After the devastating Spitak earthquake of 1988 in Armenia, he was instrumental in establishing the American University of Armenia in Yerevan as an affiliate of the University of California. He has served as the founding Dean of Engineering (1991-2007), the Director of Engineering Research Center (1991-2004), and as Interim Provost (2011-2012) of AUA concurrently with his position at Berkeley. He continues to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of the American University of Armenia Corporation.

Der Kiureghian’s teaching and research interests are in the areas of structural reliability, risk analysis, random vibrations and earthquake engineering. He has pioneered methods for safety and reliability assessment of complex structures, for risk analysis and decision making, and for stochastic seismic analysis of buildings, bridges and critical equipment. He has more than 300 publications, including 110 in archival journals.

Education

Ph.D. – Civil Engineering, University of Illinois, 1975
B.S./M.S. – Civil Engineering, Tehran University, 1971

A special thank you to the event hosts, Dr. Kris Mirzayan and Mrs. Pamela Ascher Mirzayan, who have invested in AUA both with their resources and their time. During the Fall 2017 semester, the couple relocated to Armenia so Kris could teach business-related courses to AUA students, where he saw first-hand the potential of the academics and the need for ongoing support.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Peggy Barsam, who further contributed to the university by purchasing a painting by Arev Petrosyan – the Yerevan-based artist has pledged to donate half the proceeds from each artwork sold to benefit AUA’s “Yes, Armenian Women Can!” campaign, which supports female students studying technology, science and engineering at the university. Arev’s contributions are ongoing and additional paintings are available for purchase at http://yawc.aua.am/.

 

Please visit http://100pillars.aua.am/ to learn more about the 100 Pillars of AUA program. If you have any questions, please call the Development Office at (510) 925-4282 or email development@aua.am.

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