AUA’s Center for Student Success Participates in National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day

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YEREVAN, Armenia – On April 10, 2014, the American University of Armenia (AUA)’s Center for Student Success invited Mamikon Hovsepyan, projects director of Public Information and Need of Knowledge (PINK Armenia) NGO, to speak about the transmission and prevention of HIV to students, in honor of National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day (NYHAAD).

Coordinator of Student Services Garine Palandjian explains, “An important element of the Center for Student Success’s mission is to provide students with a holistic approach to education.  Taking the opportunity to discuss these types of issues outside of the classrooms specifically, in the Center’s lounge, gives students the opportunity to ask questions that they may not otherwise ask in front of their peers or instructors.  For example, the letters spelling out NYHAAD that hung from the ceiling sparked conversations among many students walking by about HIV & AIDS.  We also had a table and boards where students wrote messages on posters describing what young people need to commit to an AIDS-free generation.  Among these messages, students expressed the need to not be afraid to ask questions and the importance of becoming informed.  Red ribbons were also distributed and worn throughout the week of events.  During the workshop, some of the questions were very serious, while other topics triggered a few giggles.  These reactions are common among youth and reinforce the purpose of promoting such activities and discussions.  More importantly, we aim to provide students with access to resources and information aimed at enhancing their overall personal and academic development.”

Students learned about ways in which HIV can be transmitted, as well as common misconceptions about transmission. They also learned about treatment options, ways to prevent infection, and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Armenia and on a global scale.

Hovsepyan shared why he thought this topic was important to present to the AUA student body, stating, “It is very important for young people to be aware of these issues so that they can protect themselves. Without having proper knowledge about sexual health, people may fear things they don’t know about, which can create difficulties.”

Hovsepyan also shared that from 1988-2014, there have been 1,634 registered cases of HIV in Armenia. He continued, “It would make me happy to see sexual health education become part of the Armenian school curriculum. Youth need to be knowledgeable about the topic so that they can make informed decisions.”

To learn more about the issue and to view Hovsepyan’s presentation, please click here.

The Center for Student Success is a learning environment that extends outside of the classroom and aims to promote student achievement of academic goals while enrolled at AUA. Through a holistic  approach to education, the Center provides a unique range of support programs including math and writing consultations, academic support services, disabilities services and workshops to enhance overall personal and academic development in a welcoming space. The Center encourages AUA students to challenge and support one another, to accept responsibility and to collaborate in serving the best interests of all students.