German Delegation Visits AUA
3 min readYEREVAN, Armenia — On July 11, the American University of Armenia (AUA) hosted a delegation of officials from Germany led by Jens Brandenburg, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung – BMBF). The delegation also included Oliver Pieper from the BMBF Unit for Cooperation with Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, Central Asia; Heide Ahrens, secretary general of Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), the central self-governing body of the German research foundation; and Jörg Schneider, head of International Affairs at DFG. Accompanying them was Saskia Galias, representing the Project Management Agency of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft und Raumfahrt – DLR).
AUA Vice President of Operations Ashot Ghazaryan received the guests, along with Vahram Ter-Matevosyan, assistant to the president on academic affairs, and Narek Ghazaryan, chief communications officer. VP Ghazaryan gave them a brief tour of the University, with special stops at the AGBU Papazian Library, the donor wall in Agbabian Hall, and Manoogian Hall. Following the tour, the guests were welcomed by the academic leadership of the University for a roundtable discussion of opportunities for collaboration. Joining the round table were Dean of the Manoogian Simone College of Business and Economics (CBS) Dr. Vache Gabrielyan, Dean of the Zaven and Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering (CSE) Dr. Aram Hajian, Dean of General Education Dr. Sharistan Melkonian, Dean of the Turpanjian College of Health Sciences (CHS) Dr. Varduhi Petrosyan, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) Dr. Hagop Yacoubian, and Acopian Center for the Environment (ACE) Program Manager and Lecturer Harutyun Alpetyan.
VP Ghazaryan briefed the guests about the University history and the different disciplines it currently offers. Placing special emphasis on AUA’s need-blind admission policy, he expounded on the University’s financial aid and scholarship programs. “We are not a profit-driven University; we are a student-centered university. Students are admitted solely based on qualifications and our admission requirements, not on their ability to afford the tuition fees. Our fees are subsidized and we also offer a variety of scholarships to enable more students to study here. Around 50% of our entire student body receives some kind of tuition assistance,” mentioned Ghazaryan.
Following introductions, the deans briefed about their respective colleges, providing an overview of their programs and the areas of research in which their respective faculty is involved. The deans also mentioned the various partnerships they have with institutions and foundations in Germany, including the Robert Koch Institute.
Dr. Petrosyan highlighted CHS’ collaborations with the Armenian government, specifically regarding strengthening emergency response and preparedness, and its pioneering research on blindness in the country. Next, Dr. Gabrielyan described how the CBS masters work closely with the Central Bank of Armenia and the college’s active engagement with the business and finance community to promote experiential learning. Dr. Hajian then spotlighted CSE’s partnerships with the private sector, including Siemens-sponsored research projects centered around machine learning L and artificial intelligence, and noted that many Armenian startups are in fact German-based.
Next, Dr. Melkonian spoke about General Education’s emphasis on developing oral and communication skills, solving complex problems, and experiential and project-based learning. She also announced that the University is currently in the process of seeking re-accreditation with WASC. Dr. Yacoubian then enumerated the wealth of programs offered by CHSS, along with the diversity of research centers and agendas housed within the college. Speaking on behalf of ACE, Alpetyan elaborated on the new B.S. in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, emphasizing the critical role the program will play in enhancing local capacity to better address environmental issues. Launched in 2022, the program will welcome its first cohort in the upcoming Fall 2023 semester. Ter-Matevosyan then commented on the different research areas in which the university is engaged, specifically noting the collaborations and partnerships AUA has forged with other universities, including some in Germany.
The German delegation was thankful for the briefing about the history and evolution of AUA since its founding — the programs offered in response to changing priorities in the country, addition of several undergraduate and graduate programs, expansion of the university campus and faculty commensurate with growing enrollment, and related facts — and also expressed gratitude for the guided campus tour. “Thank you very much for having us here and for the insight into your university and work. We are very aware of AUA’s standing among the top-ranked universities in Armenia. I am also truly impressed by the broad spectrum of programs of study your institution offers,” concluded Brandenburg.
Following the briefing, the guests made a special stop at the Keshishian Student Union before concluding their AUA visit.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.
