Petrosyan Varduhi. Access to Health Services in Times of Economic Downturn: the Case of Armenia. 15^th European Health Forum Gastein. Bad Gastein, Austria, October 3-6, 2012. [oral presentation]

Truzyan Nune, Petrosyan Varduhi, Grigoryan Ruzanna. How Decisions on Tuberculosis Care Utilization and Place of Work among Migrant Workers from Armenia Impact TB Health Outcomes. 34^th Annual Meeting of the Society for Medical Decision Making (SMDM): ” From Evidence to Decision Making: Role of Behavioral Economics in Medicine.” Phoenix, Arizona, USA, October 17-20, 2012. [poster]

Petrosyan Varduhi. Re-establishing Universal and Comprehensive Health Coverage in former Soviet Union Countries. 2^nd Global Symposium on Health Systems Research. Beijing, China, October 31- November 3, 2012. [oral presentation]

Harutyunyan Arusyak, Movsisyan Narine, Petrosyan Varduhi, Petrosyan Diana. Reduced Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Homes, Armenia, 2010. 5th European Public Health Conference. Malta, November 8-11, 2012. [oral presentation]

Grigoryan Ruzanna, Petrosyan Varduhi, Demirchyan Anahit, Truzyan Nune, Martirosyan Hripsime, Crape Byron. Evaluation of the Child Health State Certificate Program, Armenia 2011. 5th European Public Health Conference. Malta, November 8-11, 2012. [moderated poster presentation with brief oral presentation]

Grigoryan Ruzanna, Truzyan Nune, Petrosyan Varduhi. Tuberculosis among Migrant Workers from Armenia, 2012. 5th European Public Health Conference. Malta, November 8-11, 2012. [oral presentation]

Movsisyan Narine, Harutyunyan Arusyak, Petrosyan Varduhi. Smoking cessation counseling preparedness among healthcare providers in Oncology center in Yerevan. European Journal of Public Health. Volume 22, Supplement 2, page 19, Oxford University Press, 2012.

Demirchyan Anahit, Petrosyan Varduhi. Differences in Length of Stay in Pediatric Hospitals of Armenia, 2011. European Journal of Public Health. Volume 22, Supplement 2, page 151, Oxford University Press, 2012.

Martirosyan Hripsime, Petrosyan Varduhi, Crape Byron. Rapid Appraisal of Diabetes Care in Armenia, 2011: Qualitative Research. European Journal of Public Health. Volume 22, Supplement 2, page 154, Oxford University Press, 2012.

Movsisyan Narine K., Petrosyan Varduhi, Harutyunyan Arusyak, Petrosyan Diana, Muradyan Armen and Stillman Frances A., Smoking behavior, attitudes, and cessation counseling among healthcare professionals in Armenia. BMC Public Health 2012. November 24, 2012.

Demirchyan Anahit, Petrosyan Varduhi, Thompson Michael E. Gender differences in predictors of self-rated health in Armenia: a population-based study of an economy in transition. International Journal for Equity in Health 2012. November 14, 2012.

Famous Latin American physicist, Dr. Constantino Tsallis of the Brazilian Physics Research Center, lectured on November 23 at the American University of Armenia about the “Complexity in Natural, Artificial and Social Systems.”

In his presentation, Dr. Tsallis shared a brief and general introduction to the main concepts behind his research and spoke extensively on the idea that complexity in systems appears to be conveniently characterized by the nature and strength of the correlations between a systems’ elements.

Dr. Tsallis is a pioneer in the applications of statistical physics to complex systems. He has received international and national distinctions too numerous to list (inter alia, Guggenheim Foundation Award, Mexico Prize for Science and Technology, Rio de Janeiro Prize of Science and Technology). Dr. Tsallis holds four honorary doctorate degrees. He is member of the Academy of Sciences of Brazil, as well as of the Academy of Economical, Political and Social Sciences of Brazil. He is also the main editor of the Elsevier journal “Physica A.

The colloquium was the first in a series of lectures organized by the University President’s Office and was presented by the College of Science and Engineering.

YEREVAN–Women entrepreneurs from across Yerevan and Armenia’s regions gathered at the American University of Armenia on November 24-25 for a two-day conference focused on uncovering new opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

The conference, sponsored by the Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA), attracted over 90 graduates from the AIWA-AUA Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (WEP)–an AUA Extension program pioneered almost a decade ago in partnership with AIWA.

The first of its kind since the program’s inception, the conference featured both presentations as well as a series of educational workshops that covered a gamut of topics focusing on navigating the e-marketplace, taxes and legal aspects of business ownership, sources of innovation and strategies for commercialization, the future of management, social media marketing, exporting goods and services and executive communication.

AUA President Bruce Boghosian opened the conference on Saturday with welcoming remarks that focused on how the Women’s Entrepreneurship program has positively impacted the growth of Armenia’s small and medium enterprise (SME) sector. Drawing from research done in issues related to women’s entrepreneurship, Dr. Boghosian depicted the global picture of the existing disproportion between men and women entrepreneurs, while focusing on the effective role of women in realizing sustained economic growth.

Mrs. Narine Badanyan, CEO of Pepsi Armenia, was the next speaker. A graduate of AUA herself, she spoke about the distinctive patterns of ideas, beliefs, and norms which characterize the way of life and relations of Armenian society. Among the elements of success she emphasized were the need to have stretch goals; to have a passion for what you do; to work harder than most; and to have an open mind–an open mind for new ideas, new information, new ways of thinking, new approaches towards work, and more.

“Most of us are brought up with a set of beliefs and values and, throughout our lives, tend to surround ourselves with people who share the same values and beliefs,” said Badanyan. “Therefore, it can be difficult when we’re faced with ideas that challenge our own and, though we may wish to be open-minded, we may struggle with that. There is much to be gained from opening the door to your mind and letting new ideas and beliefs come in.”

Throughout her talk, Badanyan stressed that empowerment contributes to the productivity of employees, families, and communities and ultimately increases prospects for the future generation of professionals.

During the luncheon, participants had the opportunity to hear the Resident Representative of the Asian Development Bank ‘s Mission to Armenia, Dr. David Dole, discuss ADB’s upcoming entrepreneurship programs, and the Bank’s focus on women’s entrepreneurship in Armenia.

Dole discussed ADB’s objectives in designing an entrepreneurship program in Armenia and highlighted how that program will provide technical assistance to the SME Development National Center of Armenia. He also discussed how ADP’s entrepreneurship program will provide support for a loan package to help grow the small and medium enterprise sector in rural Armenia through reduced interest rates and loan guarantees.

Speaking next at the luncheon was Jemma Israyelyan from the Armenia Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Executive Development. She spoke about the engagements of her office in different entrepreneurial endeavors, including what may be expected under the USAID-EDMC program.

The U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, H.E. John Heffern, spoke following the luncheon. The Ambassador voiced his support for women’s entrepreneurship in Armenia and cited several U.S. government programs in Armenia that offer opportunities to women entrepreneurs. The Ambassador took questions from conference participants and toured the various workshops.

Sunday’s agenda opened with conference Emcee, Anahit Ghazaryan, presenting messages to the participants from Armenia’s Diaspora Minister, H.E. Hranush Hakobyan and the President of AIWA-Armenia.

Presentations were also then made by two WEP graduates, Nune Gevorgyan and Lilit Sargsyan, who shared their personal business success stories. Another WEP graduate, Laura Avagyan, followed the two with a discussion about the Women’s Entrepreneurship Circle (WEC)–a newly established non-governmental organization founded by AUA-WEP graduates. In her remarks, Avagyan spoke in detail about the mission, vision and objectives of the WEC and invited conference participants to join the new organization.

About the sponsor

The Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) was founded in 1991 by three dynamic women with diverse backgrounds, skills and experiences, who shared a common belief: the need for a new Armenian organization made up of women, governed by women, and focused on the interests and needs of women. AIWA is a nonprofit organization with members worldwide. Its mission is to promote and enrich the social, economic and personal advancement of Armenian women worldwide through educational and other community activities that unite Armenian women, promote gender equity, and emphasize the Armenian cultural heritage. AIWA has founded and continues to sponsor the AUA Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (WEP).

About AUA Extension:

AUA Extension serves as the continuing education arm of the American University of Armenia. Extension provides innovative learning programs to students of all ages, pre- and post-graduate education. By offering accessible, relevant, cutting-edge knowledge and skills, AUA Extension helps people achieve their personal and professional goals. The focused methods of instruction at AUA-Extension are designed to improve the intellectual capacity of the country. AUA-Extension also offers needs-based courses to corporate Armenia, governmental and non-governmental organizations, focusing on professionals to become better skilled at transforming Armenia to a better place in which to study, live, and work.

About AUA:

The American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia. Founded in 1991, AUA is affiliated with the University of California. Through teaching, research, and public service, AUA serves Armenia and the region by supplying high-quality, graduate and undergraduate education, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting democratic values.

The AUA is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, 985 Atlantic Avenue, #100, Alameda, CA 94501, 510-748-9001.

YEREVAN–AUA alumni Armine Podosyan has been elected as a member of the Executive Committee of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA). http://www.wfuna.org/

Podosyan, a 2011 graduate of the American University of Armenia’s Master of Public Health (MPH) Program, was elected at the 40th WFUNA Plenary Assembly on November 10, 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The WFUNA is a global nonprofit organization representing and coordinating a membership of over 100 national United Nations Associations and their thousands of constituents. WFUNA works to strengthen and improve the United Nations through the engagement of people who share a global mindset and support international cooperation – global citizens.

Podosyan has been the President of the Armenian United Nations Association (AUNA) since 2008. AUNA is a member of the WFUNA and works in important areas such as youth and education, prevention of human trafficking, rights of refugees and migrant workers.

The American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia. Founded in 1991, AUA is affiliated with the University of California. Through teaching, research, and public service, AUA serves Armenia and the region by supplying high-quality, graduate and undergraduate education, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting democratic values.

The AUA is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, 985 Atlantic Avenue, #100, Alameda, CA 94501, 510-748-9001.

International and local experts were in Yerevan on Friday, November 30 for a one-day conference examining the choices available to Armenia as it tries to balance economic gains with that of social equity as well as public and environmental health. The presentations and photos available are shared below. In coming days we will continue to add more content, including videos and texts.

The conference featured a keynote presentation on mining’s role in economic growth and social development by Dr. Saleem Ali, Director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining at the University of Queensland, Australia. The event’s first panel examined whether mining can play a key role in Armenia’s economic growth, while the second panel focused on mining’s impact on Armenia’s environmental and public health. The event’s last panel explored whether Armenia’s legal and institutional framework on mining fosters socio-economic development.

These issues were discussed against the larger backdrop of a growing unease in and outside Armenia on the potential benefits and risks of mining to the country’s socio-economic and environmental future.

Dr. Saleem Ali and Dr. Varduhi Petrosian speak to Civilnet about mining and its economic, environmental and health impacts in Armenia

Conference Panels and Presentations

• Bruce Boghosian, AUA President (slide) (text) (video)

• Patrice Coeur-Bizot, UNDP Resident Representative (text) (video)

• Introduction to the keynote speaker and the goals of the conference
  Alen Amirkhanian, College of Science and Engineering, AUA (text) (video)

• KEYNOTE TALK: “Mining’s Role in Economic Growth and Social Development: International Perspective”
  Saleem Ali, Director of the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, University of Queensland, Australia (PPT) (video)

• Statistical Overview of Mining in Armenia
  Anastas Aghazarayan, Adviser to the President of the National Statistical Service, RA (PPT) (video)

• PANEL 1: Can mining play a key role in Armenia’s economic growth?
  Alen Amirkhanian, College of Science and Engineering, AUA
  Panelists:

  • Aleksandr Grigoryan, Assistant Professor, College of Business and Economics, AUA (PPT) (video)
  • David Androyan, Head, Chair of Economics and Management of Mining and Metallurgy Enterprises, State Engineering University of Armenia (PPT) (video)
  • Shushanik Kerobyan, Head, Minerals’ Division, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, RA (video)
  • Erik Grigoryan, President, Association of Young Environmental Lawyers and Economists (PPT) (video)
  • Ruzanna Vardanyan, Deputy Head of Financial-Economic Department, RA Government Staff (discussant) (video)

   

• PANEL 2: Mining and Armenia’s Environmental and Public Health: Impact and Mitigation
  Moderator: Karen Aghababyan, Acopian Center for the Environment, AUA
  Panelists:

  • Camille Bann, Consultant, UNDP (PPT) (video)
  • Varduhi Petrosyan, College of Health Sciences, AUA (PPT) (video)
  • Vram Tevosyan, National Expert on Environmental Impact Assessments (discussant) (video)

   

• PANEL 3: RA Legal and Institutional Framework on Mining: Does it foster Armenia’s socio-economic development?
  Moderator: Tom Samuelian, Dean, College of Humanities and Social Science, AUA
  Panelists:

  • Artur Grigoryan, Attorney to the Aarhus Centers in Armenia, Assistant at the National Assembly of RA (PPT) (video)
  • Gevorg Danielyan, former RA Minister of Justice, currently advisor to RA Constitutional Court (video)
  • Hakob Sanasaryan, Chairman, Armenia’s Green Union (video)
  • Haykanush Parsamyan, Lecturer, Law Program, College of Humanities and Social Science, AUA and National Expert on Justice, Liberty, and Security at the EU Advisory Group (video)

   

• Closing Remarks: Outlining Key Takeaways and Future To Do’s (Dr. Saleem Ali) (video)

Conference Photos

Yerevan, ARMENIA – At its recent meeting, the Board of Trustees of the American University of Armenia welcomed Dr. Lawrence Pitts as its new Chairman. Dr. Pitts, the outgoing provost of the University of California system, succeeds current AUA Board Chair, Dr. C. Judson King.

During the same meeting, the Board also welcomed three additional new members: Dr. Aimee Dorr, the current Provost of the University of California system; Dr. Ann Karagozian, Engineering Professor and former chair of the Academic Senate at UCLA; and Mr. Zaven Akian, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Integra Technologies and community benefactor.

“I look forward to working with Dr. Pitts and the rest of our Board in helping to refine the strategic direction of the American University of Armenia in the coming year,” remarked Dr. Bruce Boghosian, President of AUA.

“I also extend a warm welcome to our new board members, Mr. Akian, Dr. Dorr and Dr. Karagozian,” continued President Boghosian.

Dr. Boghosian further added, “On behalf of all of us at AUA, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to Dr. King for his decades-long service on the AUA Board, spanning the terms of all three of AUA’s presidents, and for having served as the Board’s chair for most of that time.”

Dr. Aimee Dorr

A UCLA professor of education since 1981, Dr. Dorr assumed the position of Provost of the UC system in July, and is the long-time dean of UCLA’s Graduate School of Education and Information Studies.

Dr. Ann Karagozian

Dr. Karagozian, is the former chair of UCLA’s Academic Senate and the university’s first female faculty member in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

Mr. Zaven Akian

Through his Akian Family Foundation, Mr. Akian has committed over three quarters of a million dollars to the university, making possible the establishment of the Akian Art Gallery, a five-year scholarship program and courses for recently arrived Syrian-Armenian students studying at AUA.

The American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia. Founded in 1991, AUA is affiliated with the University of California. Through teaching, research, and public service, AUA serves Armenia and the region by supplying high-quality, graduate and undergraduate education, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting democratic values.

The AUA is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, 985 Atlantic Avenue, #100, Alameda, CA 94501, 510-748-9001.

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