YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Dr. Ashot Abrahamyan as program chair of the Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering and Systems Management (MEIESM) program. Previously an assistant professor in the Zaven P. and Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering (CSE), Dr. Abrahamyan received a Teaching Excellence Award during the University’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony.
As MEIESM program chair, Dr. Abrahamyan leads program strategy, curriculum renewal, and industry partnerships, while teaching courses in operations research, statistics, and decision analysis. He supervises a growing portfolio of capstone projects that help graduate and senior undergraduate students solve optimization and analytics problems for different domains.
Alongside his university work, Dr. Abrahamyan is involved in a host of STEM content development and teachers’ professional growth projects in Armenia. He also designs and delivers professional‑development pathways for mathematics teachers, coaching them on project-based and active learning techniques and modern assessment practices.
Dr. Abrahamyan holds a Ph.D. in engineering, focused on mathematical modeling of information security. With over 15 years of experience at the intersection of education and technology, Dr. Abrahamyan has held key EdTech and curriculum design positions in various private and non-governmental organizations. Dr. Abrahamyan’s school leadership portfolio spans both national and international contexts. His research and professional interests include operations research, decision science, adaptive learning, curriculum design and analytics.
We asked Dr. Abrahamyan to expand on his vision and motivation as he steps into his new role.
What vision do you have for MEIESM as program chair?
My goal is to position the MEIESM program as a regional hub for data‑driven industrial engineering and systems management. I already see the program making progress in embedding advanced analytics and artificial intelligence across the curriculum, where the core courses will incorporate hands-on work with optimization techniques and machine-learning toolkits so that graduates can move seamlessly from models to deployable solutions. There is also a need to strengthen industry immersion by expanding our network of partner firms, ranging from high‑tech startups to large manufacturing enterprises, so each student completes at least one consultancy‑style practicum before graduation.
What are some challenges you anticipate in your new role?
I currently see three main challenges. The first is balancing depth with breadth. MEIESM attracts students from engineering, economics, data, computer science, and many more diverse backgrounds. Crafting a scaffolded learning path that challenges experienced engineers while supporting career‑switchers is a complex instructional design puzzle. The second challenge is to build sustainable industry partnerships. Armenia’s industrial ecosystem is still maturing. Translating mutual enthusiasm into structured, long‑term collaborations, such as capstone pipelines, joint research grants, and co‑funded labs, requires persistent relationship building. The third challenge is to scale without diluting quality. As interest in data‑driven engineering grows, we should expect larger cohorts. Preserving our signature small‑class mentorship and rigorous capstone supervision will necessitate strategic faculty hiring.
What motivates you in your work?
My students’ curiosity and brilliance is my greatest motivator. Their probing questions, fresh perspectives, and eagerness to apply theory to messy real‑world problems energize me every day. Guiding these bright minds as they transform an operational challenge into a validated model, and then watching their solutions reduce waste, cut wait times, or boost productivity, is profoundly rewarding.
Beyond working with students, I am driven by impact, such as seeing rigorous analytical methods improve real systems, and by the mission of building national capacity. Armenia has world‑class mathematical talent. Channeling that talent into high‑value engineering and decision‑making roles that spur economic growth is both a personal and professional calling. Continuous learning at the intersection of optimization, data science, and human‑centered design keeps the work intellectually rich, but it’s the students’ curiosity that fuels my passion the most.
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.