“From Gutenberg to the Internet – A New Renaissance for Libraries,” the General Assembly of the Electronic Information for Libraries (EIFL), was held at AUA in July. The Conference, sponsored by AUA, the Ministry of Culture of Armenia and the National Library of Armenia, was held as part of the official program of celebrations of Yerevan: World Book Capital 2012.

Several AUA faculty and staff presented at the Research-Based Education at BA, MA and PhD Level international seminar held in Yerevan in July. Assistant Professor Byron Crape of the College of Health Sciences and Director of Accreditation Sharistan Melkonian presented on International Perspectives on Competencies and Skills to Promote Research-based Education in Universities. The final day of the conference, held at AUA, provided an overview of the topics discussed during the conference and presented AUA’s experience. President Bruce Boghosian gave the opening remarks while Varduhi Petrosyan, Associate Dean of the College of Health Sciences; Catherine Buon, Associate Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Alen Amirkhanian, Visiting Lecturer in the College of Science and Engineering; Irshat Madyarov, Assistant Professor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; and Karen Aghababyan, Director of the Acopian Center for the Environment presented on AUA’s Experience in Research-Based Education.

More than forty scientists from 13 countries participated in the 16th in a series of working conferences on structural systems. The IFIP Working Group 7.5 on Reliability and Optimization of Structural Systems, organized this year under the leadership of founding College of Engineering Dean Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian, promotes modern structural system reliability and optimization theories and methods. It aims to stimulate research, disseminate and exchange information, and encourage education in this field. Two years ago the Conference was held at the Technical University of Munich, Germany. The next Conference will be held in China.

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Four-year program is a first; addresses student interest in Armenia and the region; full-need financial aid policy and need-blind admission process will continue.

Yerevan, Armenia (July 18, 2012) — The American University of Armenia (AUA) announced the launch of its four-year Undergraduate Program today.  This will be the first-ever Bachelor-degree-level undergraduate class at AUA.  Throughout its 20-year history, AUA has been a graduate institution, granting only Master’s degrees.  With the launch of the undergraduate program, AUA will expand its impact, educating the leaders of tomorrow in Armenia and beyond.

Making Quality Education Accessible

In making this announcement, AUA President Bruce Boghosian noted, “All of us at AUA are excited about reaching this new milestone – to offer a high-quality undergraduate education to the future leaders of Armenia and the region.”  Boghosian further remarked, “We remain committed to offer rigorous academics and an American education and look forward to a vibrant, international faculty and student body from Armenia and abroad.”

President Boghosian re-iterated AUA’s dedication to providing accessible education of the highest caliber.  “AUA has a ‘full-need’ financial aid policy:  That is, we are committed to the principle that no Armenian student will ever be denied an AUA education because of inability to pay tuition.  AUA also has a need-blind admissions policy:  This means that students are admitted strictly on the basis of their academic merit, regardless of their need.  Institutions that are both full-need and need-blind are rare anywhere in the world,” noted President Boghosian.

“Thanks to the generous support of our Board of Trustees and our supporters around the world, we are able to offer scholarships and tuition assistance to our undergraduate and graduate students,” noted N. Dennis Leavens, AUA’s newly installed Provost.  “I invite all interested students to begin preparing to apply for the Fall 2013 Semester,” continued Provost Leavens. 

Highest Standards of Academics

The American University of Armenia 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. Following an intensive proposal process which included a visit to the university, the Commission approved the offering of the new undergraduate program.  The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of six regional accreditation agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The undergraduate program has also already received a license from the RA Ministry of Education and Science. 

Enrolling approximately 300 students per year, AUA’s undergraduate program aims to have a total enrollment in the vicinity of 1200 by 2017.  The new undergraduate program will offer the following majors in addition to a solid general education component:

. Computational Sciences – This degree will include topics in applied mathematics and computer science, as well as courses in computational techniques for the simulation and modeling of systems of relevance to science and engineering.
. Business – This degree will include a solid grounding in economics, finance, accounting, marketing, management, and business communications.
. English & Communications – This degree will include courses in journalism, public relations, writing, translation and other aspects of communications.

All three programs will have a strong general education component, and all will be taught in English.  These new majors will complement the seven Master’s degree programs that AUA currently offers.

Entrance requirements, including the standardized examinations necessary for admission, and other admission requirements, including details about tuition, are announced on the web page, www.aua.am/undergraduate.  You may also contact AUA directly at [email protected] or (+374 10) 512-797.

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 American University of Armenia 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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