YEREVAN, Armenia — In an effort to honor his grandfather and inspire others through his story, Dr. Vagan Tapaltsyan has established a new scholarship at the American University of Armenia (AUA), the Flober (Robert) Tapaltsyan Scholarship in Engineering. The scholarship will specifically support students studying in the University’s Zaven P. and Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering (CSE), a nod to Flober’s decorated career in the field of engineering.
Flober Tapaltsyan was born in 1935 in Voskehask, a village in the Akhuryan Municipality of Armenia’s Shirak Province. The eldest of three children, he grew up rather quickly, helping his parents with family matters as needed. His childhood was a traditional one, with his father working as the principal of the local school, also teaching Armenian language classes, and his mother a homemaker.
In 1941, Tapaltsyan’s life was turned upside down when his father was deployed to fight in World War II. At the age of six, he was sent to Tbilisi to live with his paternal grand-uncle’s family, while his mother was forced to move back in with her family in Yerevan in order to manage raising her two younger children.
Despite the circumstances, Tapaltsyan enjoyed living in Tbilisi, where he attended school for nine years. However, he never forgot about his family, determined to one day reunite with them in Armenia. In 1950, he did just that. He returned to Yerevan, where he continued his schooling at the Vahan Teryan School, from which he graduated. With his father declared missing in action, young Flober became the head of the household, marking the end of his childhood.
It was easy for Tapaltsyan to take the next step in his academic career, since he had long dreamed of working in construction engineering. He set out to pursue his degree in civil engineering from the National Polytechnic University of Armenia. Upon graduating, he found work at what was then a brand-new high-rise construction agency. Very soon after being hired, he was promoted to the position of principal engineer, becoming the youngest in Armenia to hold that title. It was here that he met Arthur Tarkhanyan, one of Armenia’s best known architects, and sparked a lifelong professional friendship.
In 1967, at the age of 32, Tapaltsyan moved on to the headship of the Masis Construction Agency, once again becoming the youngest in Armenia to hold that position — a recurring honor that followed him throughout his career as he moved from one company to another. Later, in 1987, he became the head of Armstroiproekt, which expanded Tapaltsyan’s field experience to construction engineering science. His career as head construction engineer continued with great success as he worked alongside architectural greats Arthur Tarkhanyan, Jim Torosyan, and Hrach Pogosyan, among others, on significant projects that include the following cultural landmarks: Zvartnots Airport, Youth Palace, Karen Demirchyan Complex, Rossiya Cinema, Komitas Chamber Music House, Yerevan Metro, Ani Hotel, Tigran Petrosian Chess House, Saint Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, Hrazdan Stadium, and many more.
For Dr. Vagan Tapaltsyan, the grandson of Flober Tapaltsyan, following in his grandfather’s footsteps in pursuit of a successful academic and professional career was a source of motivation and pride.
Currently an implant surgeon and restorative dentist, scientist, and educator, Dr. Tapaltsyan’s educational journey found him graduating summa cum laude from the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), later completing his DDS and Ph.D. in craniofacial sciences at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and his business training at Harvard Business School. Dr. Tapaltsyan’s subsequent academic appointments include UCSF, UCO, and Northstate University College of Dental Medicine. His research deals with craniofacial stem cell biology, with patents in the bioaugmentation of dental implants.
Currently, Dr. Tapaltsyan splits his time between research, clinical private practice, and consulting through his nation-wide dental management consulting company, Peak Performance Practice Consulting.
A strong advocate for the advancement of STEM education, Dr. Tapaltsyan also supports undergraduate students interested in medicine through his private practice shadowing program. It is no wonder, then, that upon being introduced to AUA, he felt a strong desire to establish a scholarship in order to directly support students studying in CSE. “I am delighted to be able to honor the legacy of my grandfather, Flober (Robert) Tapaltsyan, by funding the scholarship in his name at AUA. I hope that it will help pave a smoother road ahead for the future engineers of Armenia.”
For the 2024-25 academic year, four students are supported by the Flober (Robert) Tapaltsyan Scholarship in Engineering. One recipient, Mariam Mkrtichyan (BSES ’24; MEIESM ’26), commented: “I express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Tapaltsyan for believing in my potential and supporting my educational journey. His generosity has had a profound impact on my future. I am excited to embark on this new chapter at AUA as a master’s student and hope that, one day, I will make a meaningful impact on people’s lives by establishing new opportunities in the field of bioengineering in Armenia, connecting my engineering knowledge with medical sciences.”
Another recipient, Masis Sarkis Sarkissian (MEIESM ’26), added: “I am passionate about becoming a skilled engineer, and I am confident that with the support of this scholarship, I am one step closer to achieving my dreams. Dr. Tapaltsyan’s investment in my future means more to me than words can express, and I am dedicated to paying it forward by contributing to my community and making a positive impact.”
AUA is grateful to the Tapaltsyan family for investing in education in Armenia and preparing the next generation of engineers to build successful careers in their homeland. To learn more about the University’s scholarship program, please visit https://scholarships.aua.am.
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. AUA’s Office of Development stewards the University’s philanthropic efforts exclusively for educational purposes.