Profiling AUA Extension in the Regions: Vanadzor

3 min read

VANADZOR, Armenia — American University of Armenia (AUA) Extension, the non-degree arm of the University, runs English language and professional development programs in various regional cities, including Dilijan, Goris, Gyumri, Kapan, Vanadzor, and Yeghegnadzor. The types and levels of courses offered at these locations vary and are designed to address the specific needs of each community. Based on the assessed knowledge level of each community target group, AUA Extension courses are refreshed from time to time and tailored to better meet demand and the expressed needs of local public and private sector organizations, as well as the public at large. 

We asked Anzhela Ghazaryan, program coordinator of AUA Extension in Vanadzor, to expand on the history of the Office, its ongoing activities, and more. 

AUA Extension began operating in Vanadzor in 2017 in order to give the local as well as regional community, including representatives of local public and private sector organizations, the opportunity to partake in a range of high-quality, flexible, and tailored courses, trainings, and seminars designed, and developed by AUA Extension.

Since its inception, AUA Extension has been actively involved in Vanadzor, with particular attention focused on preparing potential students for admission to AUA and gearing them up for success in their chosen fields. The current Extension program in Vanadzor is directed to organizing professional development and language courses that instill in young professionals new skills and knowledge so they become more competitive in the job market.

Recently, AUA Extension also launched its English for the Workplace course in Vanadzor for individuals seeking to enhance their language skills for improved performance. The course is tailored to new job seekers and those aiming to upgrade their communication skills in the workplace. In this course, participants are coached in advancing their oral and written English proficiencies that enable smooth interaction with friends, colleagues and business affiliates. Students are able to master their speaking, from small talk, rescheduling appointments, to making basic presentations on completed tasks. Lately, demand for AUA Extension courses has measurably increased among participants outside Vanadzor, namely Spitak, Stepanavan, Tashir, Alaverdi, and some rural communities and commensurately boosted the online course offerings.

In addition to English language courses, AUA Extension in Vanadzor also offers exam preparation (TOEFL/SAT) and professional development courses in demand. Within that framework, the Vanadzor Office also benefits from the Sarkis Cabayan Small and Emerging Business Development Program with Scholarships for Women. The primary objective of the Cabayan initiative is to promote business development throughout Armenia, with focused attention to assisting female entrepreneurs. Originally developed by the AUA Manoogian Simone College of Business and Economics, the program is geared toward providing entrepreneurs with a comprehensive six-month training in entrepreneurship, market identification and expansion, operations and financial management, and other related topics. In addition to the core program, students receive individualized coaching and counseling by local and international mentors to get established and continuously improve their enterprises. 

To maintain ongoing communication with the community, AUA Extension in Vanadzor periodically organizes community meetings, Open Houses, speaking and movie clubs, summer schools, information sessions on test preparation courses, and visits to different educational sites. Extension in Vanadzor also offers courses to forcibly displaced people from Artsakh currently residing in Vanadzor.

AUA Extension is the non-degree educational program of the American University of Armenia (AUA), with programs especially geared to meeting the educational needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds and occupations, as well as governments and corporate organizations. Extension courses are intended to expand participants’ knowledge for personal growth and professional development to best suit individual goals and career choices. Thus, Extension helps students reach their highest potential, whether for admission to AUA or for expanding knowledge and skills to become more competitive in the labor market. Additionally, AUA Extension provides testing services on behalf of various standardized tests for college admission and exams for international professional certification.