USAID Armenia Mission Director Karen Hilliard Visits AUA

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YEREVAN, Armenia – On June 23, 2015, the American University of Armenia (AUA) hosted Dr. Karen R. Hilliard, Mission Director of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Armenia. Present at the meeting with Dr. Hilliard were President Armen Der Kiureghian, Vice President of Operations Ashot Ghazaryan, and Director of Administration Anahit Ordyan.

The goal of the meeting was to discuss further areas for AUA-USAID cooperation. President Der Kiureghian provided an update on the progress of the new undergraduate program, study abroad opportunities, Turpanjian Rural Development Program, and plans for the new Innovation & Technology Incubation Center. He made a special emphasis on Syrian Armenian students’ involvement in degree and Extension programs and possible support for these programs.

Over the past two decades, AUA has received over $11 million in grants from USAID’s American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) program. With ASHA support, the university has renovated most of the classrooms and offices in the Main Building (MB), furnished and equipped the classrooms and offices in the Paramaz Avedisian Building (PAB), replaced old windows of the MB, renovated the AGBU Papazian Library and cafeteria, continuously upgraded equipment, and implemented a number of other important projects.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.