AUA Media Lab: Renovation Underway

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YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) is pleased to announce that renovation/construction of the AUA Media Lab for promoting civil discourse in Armenia is currently underway, with completion planned in the beginning of June. Established through a $813,135 grant from the Office of American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) that was awarded in October 2021, the Lab aims to strengthen democratic culture, promote the development of a civic press, foster citizen engagement in social media, and advocate for the proper discernment of information. 

The selection of the architectural and construction firms for the Media Lab’s design and construction was made through open and transparent bidding processes organized by the University in accordance with its established procurement policy requirements. The architectural design of the Lab was completed by ArchiDutch LLC, a green BIM company, while its construction/renovation and finishing works are being implemented by Gravity LLC. 

“We are sincerely grateful to USAID/ASHA for continuously supporting AUA in its development. We are confident that this Media Lab is going to serve not only our University, but also the broader Armenian journalistic community. High quality journalism and sophisticated news verification and analysis is desperately needed in Armenia.  We look forward to collaborating with our stakeholders to fulfill the mission of the Media Laboratory,” said AUA President Dr. Bruce Boghosian.

Through cutting-edge equipment and tools, the Media Lab will serve as a medium for pinpointing target areas of media intervention most crucial for the industry. The initiative will promote the co-creation of well-grounded and reliable approaches to curtail pervasive misinformation and disinformation that corrupt the media landscape and falsely amplify narratives that undermine the legitimacy of democracy. 

With a focus on strengthening American values and best practices and catalyzing collaboration with civil society, the Media Lab will serve as a platform for fostering public trust, tolerance, and empathy between and among various communities. This is expected to improve the media landscape and the level of civic engagement, as well as nurture civic skills that advance an effective and results-driven reform agenda. The Media Lab is already operating, having most recently launched the Focus Series podcast channel.  

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.