On August 23, 2012, Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa Director of Human Rights Watch, gave a presentation at the American University of Armenia about the sources and lessons of the Arab Spring.  She pointed out that the Arab Spring was remarkable in a number of ways.   It was long expected, but unpredictable.   It was brought about by a unique confluence of factors, a “black swan” in Taleb’s parlance, set off in each country by seemingly small incidents of human rights violations.  These were the proverbial straws that broke the camel’s back and turned passive victims into dignity-seeking protesters.

In tune with the dispersed, social network structure of the internet age, it was not the large organized political opposition parties, but the disorganized crowd or spontaneous groups that were catalyzed by these incidents, causing the movement to gel.  Coming to her work at HRW, she emphasized HRW’s credibility as source of objective, non-partisan fact-finding and documentation.   She underscored that facts are hard to find, but that facts are power, enabling people to transform high ideals into a force for policy making.

She concluded her talk by stating that the rule of law and ordinary people’s belief that they have a right to human dignity played a central role in the dramatic developments in the Mideast.  The ability to articulate concerns and document facts in legal frameworks that compel action is the core of advocacy.  She advised students to develop excellent writing skills if they wish to pursue careers in human rights.    Ms. Whitson is a graduate of Harvard Law School and UC Berkeley.

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.

An AUA team comprised of Dr. Dennis Leavens, Provost; Mr. Ashot Ghazaryan, Vice-President of Operations; and Dr. Arpie Balian, Director of Extension, made a fact-finding trip to the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh in August to meet with state officials as part of AUA’s efforts to launch a Continuing Education Program in the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh.  The team held meetings with Prime Minister Araik Harutyunyan, Minister of Education and Science Vladik Khachatatryan, and Chairman of the National Assembly Ashot Ghulyan.

Summer is always a busy period for the American University of Armenia (AUA). Each year the University hosts several visitors from the Diaspora. Young people gather from different parts of the world in their motherland with a desire to gain knowledge and ideas and share their impressions and experience, with their friends in their communities afterwards, aiming to promote love towards national ideas among the Armenian youth. Networking is one of the privileges among others that AUA provides.

This year, among AUA visitors were students from the AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School (Los Angeles, CA), AGBU interns from France, Canada, USA and participants of the Hamazkayin Forum.

At the same time within the framework of “Come Home” project, organized by the Ministry of Diaspora hundreds of young people came to Armenia from Russian Federation, Georgia, Abkhazia, the United States, Syria, Jordan, Romania and Canada in summer. During this summer  AUA hosted 4 groups of young people from “Come Home” project.

“Summers are a great opportunity to introduce visitors to the university, its programs and facilities, as well as its achievements in creating an invigorating educational environment,” said Dr. Perouz Taslakian, AUA Director of Admissions and Recruitment.

A general introduction of AUA to visitors included a presentation on University’s history and future prospects as well as its academic programs, admission and tuition assistance procedures, and a tour of AUA facilities that enabled visitors to explore the University in greater detail.
 

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.

The Right Fit

2012 AUA interns discuss experiences

 

YEREVAN, Armenia — Several interns brought their enthusiasm and determination to American University of Armenia (AUA) this summer to tackle projects related to their field of study, interest, and profession.

Typically, the AUA intern program attracts candidates from throughout the world. This year was no exception as interns from the United States: Gabriel Armas-Cardona, Ani Hovasapyan, Nora Minassian, Taylor Phillips, Mary Topchyan, Christine Serdjenian, along with Patil Halajian from Canada and Syrian native Beno Balian, worked alongside faculty to conduct research and analysis.

 

New York University Law School graduate Gabriel Armas-Cardona chose AUA’s internship program not only because of the university’s prestige, but also because of the engagement of the faculty. “The opportunities here are not just for the students; the excellent faculty and events ensure lively intellectual discussion that anyone with a desire for knowledge can plug into,” he explaind.

 

With a keen interest in engineering, Southern California native Taylor Philips was thrilled to be placed in the engineering department at AUA. “I had a great and enriching experience. The faculty members were all engaging and knowledgeable, and they helped to foster and expand my interest in engineering. I cannot wait to return to AUA in the future,” stressed the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) intern.

 

For University of Aleppo graduate Beno Balian, the internship at AUA was an opportunity to visit Armenia for the first time and to forge new bonds. “I am doing an internship at the American University of Armenia and having fun with my new friends,” gleams the mechanical engineer who was placed at AUA through the AGBU Yerevan Summer Internship Program, along with fellow interns Phillips and Topchyan.

 

Through her internship, Anna Aghajanian revealed she was “pleasantly surprised” by the similarities between her California-based university and AUA. Besides her duties in AUA’s Extension office, Anna also worked in an English instruction class. “I found the teaching method in this course to be very similar to those used in California. I learned so much about the different opportunities AUA offers to help students succeed,” she explained.

 

Born in Yerevan, Ani Hovasapyan moved to Los Angeles and currently attends University of California Berkeley. She chose the AUA summer internship to “best utilize the skills that I’ve acquired through my education at UC Berkeley, while at the same time benefiting Armenia,” stressed Ani.

 

With a commitment to doing just that, Ani also worked at the Women’s Resource Center, Armenia.

 

Having worked at a centralized application processing company, Boston resident Nora Minassian felt fortunate to gain an internship working for AUA’s Accreditation Director and Director of Admissions and Recruitment.

 

“The experiences I have gained at AUA are immeasurable. Working in both the accreditation and the recruitment offices, I helped in developing policies and procedures for the launch of the Fall 2013 undergraduate program.” Nora also had the opportunity to visit local villages to fulfill recruitment efforts for the new program. “It was a gratifying and truly mutually beneficial,” stressed the Armenian Youth Federation intern.

 

True to her roots, Luys Foundation Fellow and Birthright Armenia Board Member Christine Serdjenianprovided valuable assistance in launching AUA’s Fall 2013 undergraduate program.

 

“We are fortunate to have such talented interns,” stressed Sharistan Melkonian, Director of Accreditation. “Their perspective and enthusiasm to tackle our many projects are immeasurably valuable.”  

 

Melkonian noted the special relationship between AUA and AGBU, Birthright Armenia and other entities in placing just the right person: “These institutions provide utmost help to place the right candidate in the ideal position. They help fulfill our mission to provide an equally beneficial experience for candidates and the university.”

Beno Balian from Aleppo, Ani Hovasapyan from Los Angeles and Nora Minassian from Boston

 

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.

AUA Responds Immediately to Crisis Facing Syrian-Armenian Students

In response to the crisis in Syria, AUA opened its arms to welcome Syrian-Armenian students. AUA swiftly developed programs specifically aimed at accommodating the needs of the Syrian-Armenian students. The special program offered Syrian-Armenian students the opportunity to enroll in two classes at AUA with all tuition and fees waived. This program was open to students who demonstrated financial need.

The Program for Syrian-Armenian Students is a Huge Success

Due to extremely high demand, these classes filled up very quickly. The program is currently at capacity at 60 enrolled students. At this point in time, we are compiling a waiting list. We urge those who wish to be on the waiting list to contact us directly at [email protected].

How You Can Help

As an institution of higher education, AUA’s mission is to provide a high-caliber, American-style education, serving the needs of Armenia and the region. This program was made possible due to the generosity of donors.

Please join us to help AUA expand its program to serve the needs of the Syrian-Armenian students. With an ever-increasing waiting list for this program, your donations will allow AUA to open additional classrooms to accommodate even more Armenian students from Syria. DONATE NOW

September 8, 2012

AUA: A Happy Place

YEREVAN—American University of Armenia’s (AUA) Student council affirmed a recent World Health Organization (WHO) survey that placed Armenian teens on the top of the “Happiest teens on the planet” list and kicked off the new academic year with a “smile” party on September 8 to welcome new students.

“No matter what we do, studying or having fun, we should smile and consider AUA a big supportive family,” said student council president Aleksandr Harutyunyan. “ Let’s be happy and make the most of our time at this institution.”

To the students’ surprise, AUA President Dr. Bruce Boghosian and Vice President of Operations Ashot Ghazaryan dropped in to greet first and second year students.

“These students are certainly happy and also bright and energetic. No doubt they will take advantage of all the university has to offer and use that knowledge to benefit Armenia,” said Dr. Boghosian. “It’s a pivotal year at AUA as we prepare to launch our Fall 2013 undergraduate program. We are smiling.”

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.

[nggallery id=1]