AUA RECEIVES REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA MEDALS DURING 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

During AUA’s 10th Anniversary Celebration on October 6, 2001, Armenia’s President Robert Kocharian bestowed the Movses Khorenatsi Medal to American University of Armenia (AUA) founding members Dr. Mihran Agbabian and Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian, and President of AUA, Dr. Haroutune Armenian, for their exceptional achievements in education. Louise Simone was awarded the "Mesrop Mashtots Shkanshan," for her assistance to Armenia’s development. President Kocharian spoke on AUA’s role in Armenia’s democratization, economic development, and the American principles of education it instills among its students. 

Dr. William Frazer, AUA Founding Board of Trustee member, and Dr. Donald Fuller, AUA Vice-President, received the Ministry of Education’s Gold Medal recognizing their efforts in the field of educational development. AUA honored the late Vilik Haroutunyan (former Minister of Higher Education and Science), Tsovak Avagyan (former Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Science), Edward Avedissian (AUAC Board of Trustee member), Donald Fuller (AUA Vice-President), and Yuri Sarkissyan (Rector of the Yerevan Engineering University), for their outstanding contributions to AUA’s establishment and growth and awarded a special medal established on the occasion of the Tenth Anniversary of the University.

Opening its doors on Armenia Independence Day in 1991, AUA has built a bridge between the new Republic of Armenia and the Western world by implementing an American model of higher education in Armenia. The American University of Armenia has been the champion of a common vision by introducing new concepts and values to its students based on democratic ideals, having worked closely with three governments of Armenia, and by rallying support of the Diaspora. To respond to critical manpower requirements of Armenia, AUA has introduced graduate degree curriculum in six departments including Business Management, Industrial Engineering and Systems Management, Political Science, Public Health, English, Law, and Environmental Sciences. As of 2000, 73% of AUA graduates have remained or returned to Armenia and are beginning to drive changes in the country. 10-15% of AUA graduates are pursuing doctoral degrees in prestigious universities abroad. 95% of AUA graduates currently residing in Armenia are employed in the business world and the public sector in leadership positions serving as an intellectual base for Armenia's future growth as a member of the international family of nations.