YEREVAN, Armenia — As part of the American University of Armenia’s (AUA) ongoing efforts to enhance and diversify its academic offerings, the University welcomed the inaugural cohort of the U.S. Embassy Yerevan-supported Master of Arts in Multiplatform Journalism (MAMJ) program, which launched in June with an eight-week summer session. The occasion was celebrated on June 18 with special guests from the U.S. Embassy and welcoming remarks from Chief of Public Diplomacy of the U.S. Embassy Yerevan Torrey Goad, as well as opening remarks from AUA Provost Dr. Alina Garabeghian and College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) Dean Dr. Hagop Yacoubian.
Dr. Yacoubian opened the event by expressing his deep appreciation to the U.S. Embassy Yerevan for the support and its longstanding partnership, as well as to Washington State University’s (WSU) Edward R. Murrow College of Communication for their valuable expertise and collaboration. Addressing the inaugural cohort of the MAMJ program, he noted: “This program will prepare you with the skills, integrity, and confidence to advance journalism in Armenia and beyond. Keep your curiosity alive, be courageous, and always uphold the truth”.
Following Dr. Yacoubian’s remarks, Dr. Gharabegian expressed sincere gratitude for the U.S. Embassy’s unwavering support. She also congratulated the newly enrolled MAMJ students and encouraged them to embrace the unique opportunity to become pioneers in the field of multiplatform journalism in Armenia. Addressing the MAMJ students, she said: “You occupy an essential ethical position. The choices you make, the stories you tell, the standards you uphold will help define what journalism will actually mean in this country for years to come. This is your opportunity to become part of a vibrant global conversation about the role of the press in a democratic society. I hope your time in the program will facilitate your capacities and your desire to stretch yourselves intellectually, to question deeply, to insist on inconvenient and uncomfortable truths — because they are truths and because you are journalists.”
Mr. Goad thanked AUA for organizing the event and congratulated the students on their acceptance into this competitive program, as well as engaged in a productive exchange about defending freedom of speech and the vital role of journalism.
Dr. Lawrence Pintak, founding dean of WSU’s Edward R. Murrow School of Communication, a collaborative partner of the MAMJ program and CEJ, spoke briefly to the students via Zoom about the importance of a free and independent press, especially in the region, and wished the students well in their studies. Dr. Pintak is set to visit AUA in early July, along with two WSU faculty members, who will deliver guest lectures and masterclasses in Yerevan and Gyumri, as part of the U.S. Embassy grant supporting both MAMJ and CEJ.
In his turn, Dr. Shawn McIntosh, inaugural chair of the MAMJ program, shared his hopes for a successful and inspiring academic journey for the students, showing a brief video of how the students were already gaining hands-on experience in a simulated television newsroom environment during their first classes. “The students have responded so enthusiastically in these first couple sessions,” he said. “It really bodes well for what they will be able to do as the next generation of Armenian journalists.”
The session concluded with a lively and engaging conversation between the MAMJ students and the guests. Students posed thoughtful questions to both Dr. Gharabegian and Mr. Goad, sparking an insightful exchange on the future of journalism, the role of international collaboration, and the evolving media landscape. The discussion was followed by a brief reception that allowed the Embassy guests to further mingle with the students.
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) of the American University of Armenia (AUA) was awarded USD 2,171,462.49 by the United States (U.S.) Department of State to establish an M.A. Program in Multiplatform Journalism and a Center for Excellence in Journalism within AUA’s CHSS. The Program has also established a partnership between AUA and Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University to collaborate on continuously improving the quality and content of journalism education and practice in Armenia.
