Archive:

feb_i2_2012

DigiLib Preserves History through “Handes Amsorya”

AUA’s DigiLib, the Digital Library of Classical Armenian Literature, collaborates with the Mekhitarist Congregation in Vienna to compile and publish “Handes Amsorya” (Monthly Review), one of the oldest Armenian academic journals. “Handes Amsorya” was established in 1887 by the Mekhitarian Order in Vienna and focuses on Armenian history, art, social sciences, linguistics and philology. The most recent issue is dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Mekhitarist Congregation in Vienna.

Governor Bestows Honorary Citizenship upon AUA Alum and TRDP Program Leader

Last month, the Governor of the Tavush Region, Armen Ghularyan, bestowed the honor of “Honorary Citizen of Tavush Region” upon AUA Alum and Turpanjian Rural Development Program Leader Zorair Kirakosian for his contribution towards the socio-economic development of the Tavush Region. Kirakosian (Political Science, 2001) is the youngest person to receive this honor.

AUA Alum Joins DEP

The Department of English Programs is pleased to announce the appointment of Syuzanna Torosyan as Student Recruitment and Graduate Student Progress Coordinator. Ms. Torosyan graduated from AUA with an MA TEFL in 2011. She is an instructor in the Experimental English Classes and the English for Academic and General Purposes taught in the Center for Research in Applied Linguistics at AUA. Prior to becoming Coordinator in DEP, Ms. Torosyan worked as the DEP Associate Dean’s graduate assistant. In that capacity, she conducted many recruitment activities and participated in trips and Open Houses.

Cross Border Networking Discussion on Energy and Building feature CoE Alums and Faculty

Two College of Engineering (CoE) alumni and a faculty member were among the speakers at “Cross Border Networking: Armenian and Turkish Young Professionals Focus on Energy and Building” hosted by the CoE on February 21. The presentation featured Mariam Petrosyan (IESM, 2011) and Tatevik K. Margaryan (IESM, 2011) and CoE Lecturer Alen Amirkhanian, some of the representatives of Armenia who participated in a December 2011 workshop in Istanbul on environmental sustainability and energy efficiency organized by Civic Forum, an Armenian NGO in cooperation with Yildiz Technical University. Amirkhanian led and co-organized the workshop.

CHS Hosts Panel on Health Financing in Armenia

On February 24, 2012, the College of Health Sciences (CHS) organized a panel discussion on Health Financing in Armenia: Current State and Future Plans.

Dr. Varduhi Petrosyan, the Associate Dean of CHS, greeted the participants and introduced the distinguished panelists: Ara Ter-Grigoryan, the Head of the State Health Agency, RA Ministry of Health; Artak Kyurumyan, Financial Expert of the Working Group on Alternative Financing for Healthcare supported by World Vision Armenia and AUA Alumnus; and Dr. Ara Babloyan, the Chair of the Standing Committee on Health Care, Maternity and Childhood, RA National Assembly.  Dr. Ara Ter-Grigoryan presented information about the current trends in financing of the healthcare system and results of new programs, including the Obstetric Care State Certificate and the Child Care State Certificate.  Artak Kyurumyan presented the international experience regarding alternative sources of financing that could be used for the healthcare system and implications for Armenia. Dr. Ara Babloyan concluded the presentations discussing the details of the newly introduced Social Package for government employees that includes coverage of health services. Presentations were followed by an interesting and lively question/answer session.

In conclusion of the event Dr. Petrosyan mentioned “This was the first panel discussion devoted to health financing in Armenia. We plan to have a series of similar discussions. We will invite representatives of the RA Government, Ministry of Finance, and Central Bank to continue exchange of thoughts and scholarly ideas with policy and decision makers.”

Health professionals, representatives of local and international nongovernmental and governmental organizations and AUA students, researchers, and faculty attended the panel discussion.

Varduhi Petrosyan, Ara Ter-Grigoryan, Ara Babloyan, Artak Kyurumyan,

Ara Ter-Grigoryan, Ara Babloyan, Artak Kyurumyan
Audience

Mher Beglaryan, MPH 1st Year Student Asking Questions

 

World-Renowned Composer and Inventor Tod Machover at AUA

On Friday, February 24, 2012, American University of Armenia and Luys Foundation inaugurated a new lecture series called “Thinking about Thinking.” This series invites speakers who are world leaders in the sciences, humanities, arts, engineering, media, business or social entrepreneurship to come together with young people, researchers, and professionals in Armenia who welcome thinking differently, unconventionally, and looking at things from new perspectives. The intent of the lecture series is to expose students to cutting-edge ideas in research, development and scholarship that are changing the face of the world today.

The first lecture in this series was presented by Prof. Todd Machover, composer and inventor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Media Laboratory, and was entitled “Opera of the Future”. During the lecture, Prof. Machover described how barriers to musical expression are being overcome through new tools and technologies, from animated operas to virtuosity simulators like Guitar Hero, to medical devices that use music for rehabilitation and general well being.  Prof. Machover also explained how a new “musical ecology” is developing which links people across generations, geography, and “genius” levels to provide more deeply integrated and satisfying experiences for individuals and societies.

 An active question and answer session followed the lecture.

This lecture marks the beginning of what we hope will be a successful long-term collaboration between Luys Foundation and AUA, and we were particularly pleased to host Prof. Machover as the first speaker in the series.  He has been called “America’s most wired composer” by the Los Angeles Times, and is celebrated for his boundary-breaking compositions as well as for inventing new technologies in music industry.  As a founding member of the MIT Media Laboratory, he has pioneered the development of “Hyperinstruments,” which use technology to extend the expressive range of traditional instruments and make active music-making accessible to all, from musicians such as Yo-Yo Ma and Prince to children and players of the computer game “Guitar Hero,” which grew out of his laboratory.

Prof. Machover is also renowned for his innovative operas, including the Brain Opera and the recent “robotic” Death and the Powers, which premiered last year at the Monte-Carlo Opera (under the patronage of Prince Albert II) and is currently on world tour.

Prof. Machover spent the day after this inaugural lecture working with a remarkable group of Armenian students, aged 10 through 12, who have used his software to compose both symphonic and rock music.  On Saturday, February 25, they practiced during the day with the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra, who then performed a concert of the childrens’ music that evening at the Philharmonic’s Khachaturyan Hall, in a separate event sponsored by Luys Foundation.

Prof. Todd Machover The audience listening to Prof. Todd Machover’s speech