This story is part of the “Scholarship Stories: Where Are They Now?” series, highlighting the journeys of AUA alumni whose education was made possible through donor-supported scholarships. This story features an AUA graduate who received support from the Honoring Those Who Served campaign, which played a key role in his academic and professional development.
Areg Karapetyan (BSES ’23, MEIESM ’25) was in high school when he first heard about AUA’s newly launched Bachelor of Science in Engineering Sciences program. Something immediately clicked. “I felt the new program could provide me with the necessary knowledge to become a professional,” he recalls. After completing his first year at AUA, Areg was drafted for his mandatory military service.
Areg applied for financial aid at AUA while still serving, submitting all required documents during a holiday break. Then came the good news: he had been awarded a scholarship while still in the army. “I felt relieved because I realized my education depends on me, and there is nothing that could disrupt my learning process,” he says.
Returning to civilian life during the COVID-19 pandemic brought its own set of uncertainties, including paying for tuition, jobs, and the pressures of transition. “Receiving the scholarship allowed me to concentrate on classes and handle issues one at a time,” he said.
His experience at AUA became transformative in more ways than one. Balancing coursework, assignments, and exam prep sharpened his time management — a skill he continues to use every day. “It helps me avoid going crazy,” he adds with a smile.
After receiving his bachelor’s degree in engineering sciences, Areg continued his academic journey at AUA, graduating from the Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering and Systems Management program in Spring 2025. Along the way, he began working as an electronics engineer at VGate in 2020, a role he maintains today, and also started giving back through teaching.
While studying at AUA, Areg has also served as a teaching assistant for several courses. Last year, Areg began working as an adjunct lecturer, leading Control Systems Lab and Circuits Lab courses. “AUA gave me the confidence to tackle all sorts of problems. It shaped me as an engineer ready to take on challenging tasks and deliver the required results,” he says.
Looking ahead, Areg hopes to continue walking the line between academia and industry. “In my opinion, students should have access to both theoretical fundamentals and the practical aspects they could stumble upon in the future,” he explains. His goal is to bring real-world experience into the classroom and knowledge from the classroom back into the field.
Reflecting on what the scholarship means to him, Areg is direct: without it, his academic performance and future might have suffered. “The education I received shaped me into the professional I am today,” he says. “Education should be accessible to everyone. No one should be left without proper education for financial reasons.”
To the donors who made his journey possible, Areg offers heartfelt thanks: “With your help, a larger number of ambitious individuals have access to high-quality education. As a society, we can feel more confident that the number of knowledgeable professionals is increasing, which will help develop our country in the long term.”
As someone who benefited from the support of others, Areg is committed to giving back. “In our profession, it’s crucial to share knowledge and experience with others,” he says. “At the end of the day, we are working toward the same goals — for our country.”