The American University of Armenia (AUA) marked its twentieth anniversary with a Celebration of Education, a week-long series of events commemorating two decades of advancement. The celebration began with a talk by Dr. Hagop Panossian entitled “ARPA Institute for a Strong Armenia in the 21st Century,” and was officially launched with a press conference held at the Tesaket Press Club featuring AUA’s Founding President Dr. Mihran Agbabian, Founding Dean Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian, and President Dr. Bruce Bohgosian.

The week included an art exhibit and concert featuring the artwork of Karen Alekyan and Hrach Vardanyan, both of Gyumri, and music of renowned singer-composer Lilit Pipoyan and her group; a full day trip to Shirak showcasing the AUA Turpanjian Rural Development Program and the Acopian Center for the Environment; an academic conference entitled Frontiers of Higher Education; a Celebration featuring H.E. Tigran Sargsyan, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, and H.E. Armen Ashotyan, Minister of Education and Science; the opening of a Photo Exhibit featuring the university’s twenty-year history; and a jubilee banquet which honored the remarkable contributions of Mrs. Elizabeth Agbabian.