AUA and San Francisco State University Sign Memorandum of Understanding

San Francisco, CA - On Thursday, August 28, American University of Armenia President, Dr. Haroutune Armenian, and San Francisco State University (SFSU) President, Dr. Robert Corrigan, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which affirms their common commitment to the values of intellectual freedom, educational excellence, and international cooperation. The MOU will enable the two institutions to pursue joint endeavors and enhance educational and research cooperation between their students, faculty and staff.

Initiated by SFSU Computer Science Professor Dr. Barry Levine, who also directs the AUA Computer and Information Science (CIS) program under the leadership of Engineering Dean Armen Der Kiureghian, the focus for cooperation will begin with the sharing of educational projects and expertise in the growing information technology field. "We are seeking to brand the CSD at SFSU and CIS program at AUA as leaders in the study of offshore software development issues through collaborative projects and curricula involving students and faculty at both institutions," said Levine. "In addition, we hope to introduce novel software engineering courses at both institutions that address issues in collaborative project management. The collaborations will be enhanced via the development of distance education offerings originating from both schools. The provision of distance education and the study of its efficacy in the context of severe bandwidth constraints are of interest to many countries in the developing world."

AUA President, Haroutune Armenian, added, "We are extremely pleased to engage with SFSU. In addition to our affiliations with Johns Hopkins University, UCLA, and UC Berkeley, this linkage will greatly benefit AUA's students and help us establish a leading regional and international role in preparing future high tech entrepreneurs."

Since its establishment in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) has conferred close to 1000 Master's Degrees, in an increasing number of programs including Engineering, Business, Political Science, Health Sciences, Law, and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), in addition to Certificates in TEFL, Health Care Management and Environmental and Conservation Sciences. AUA has established six research centers to promote research and service, in addition to an Extension Program. AUA is an affiliate of the University of California, which provides administrative guidance to AUA, and has received continuous generous support from the AGBU, and the governments of the United States and Armenia. For more information, visit www.aua.am.