AUA Launches “Focus Series” Podcast

2 min read

YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) is pleased to announce the launch of the new “Focus Series” podcast. It will be produced by the University Media Lab, which is a project funded by USAID American Schools and Hospitals Abroad program (ASHA). The Media Lab aims to establish an inclusive multimedia facility that provides equal access to quality journalism. The Lab will create the space and structure for advancing media literacy, both among enrolled AUA degree students and the larger public, offering new courses in media literacy, journalism, and related workshops and seminars. The space will also host AUA Open Education and specialized non-degree courses aimed at raising awareness of American best practices in journalism and democratic governance in the community at large.

The biweekly “Focus Series” will showcase the various activities of the University with the broader community, including applied research and a variety of topics related to global and local affairs in the field of politics, environment, public health, business development, and more. Each 20-40-minute episode will feature a rotation of hosts interviewing the day’s guest, interspersed with conversational episodes between guests. The podcast will primarily be in the English language covering topics of interest to the public and will offer opportunities to share the expertise available at AUA. Periodically, there will be episodes in Armenian. 

The first episode will be available on February 6 for streaming on YouTube, Spotify, and Soundcloud. In Episode 1, AUA Chief Communications Officer Narek Ghazaryan and Office of Communications intern Skylar Yoder actively engage their listeners sharing information on the preliminary stages of the University Media Lab, its purpose, intended impact on students and the broader population, while sketching the timetable for the Media Lab to become fully operational.

“I am thrilled that we are now finally launching the AUA Podcast platform. The idea of creating a University podcast channel has been in discussion for a long time, and I am delighted that it is finally coming true. We could not have achieved this without the generous grant by USAID/ASHA earmarked for the AUA Media Lab. I also would like to recognize my colleagues at the Office of Communications for bringing this project to fruition in close collaboration with the leadership of Media Lab Operations Manager Stepan Sargsyan. Our followers can look forward to receiving informative content and engaging in meaningful conversations with members of the AUA community and beyond,” said Chief Communications Officer Narek Ghazaryan. 

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.