YEREVAN, Armenia — From June 18-20, the Armenian Society of Fellows (ASOF) held its annual conference in Dilijan, bringing together scholars, researchers, and professionals, as well as representatives of academic and research institutions, including the American University of Armenia (AUA).
ASOF is committed to bringing together leading Armenian scholars, researchers, and professionals from Armenia and abroad to create a space for interdisciplinary dialogue and advocate for collaboration on important national and global issues.
A panel discussion titled “Academia Relations: The New Law on Higher Education and Paths Forward” brought together Dr. Zhanna Andreasyan, minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia; Dr. Bruce Boghosian, AUA president; Dr. Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, rector of Yerevan State University; Professor Maria Baghramian, European Research Area Chair and director of the AUA Center for Ethics in Public Affairs; and Mariam Jilavyan, programs coordinator and project manager at the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology, to discuss Armenia’s new Law on Higher Education and Science as well as questions of university autonomy, research integration, the Academic City project, and other interrelated topics.
The panel was opened by Dr. Mary Papazian, chair of the ASOF board, who discussed the ongoing higher education reform process in Armenia and the Academic City project, which is envisioned as bringing Armenia’s universities together in one location to promote innovation, collaboration, and research. “We need to think more deeply about where the advantages are, where can we actually use this new investment in a way that is positive as we think about big problems, problems that cross boundaries, that really demand collaboration between and amongst institutions,” she remarked.
During the discussion, Dr. Boghosian highlighted AUA’s alignment with Armenia’s new Law on Higher Education and Science and the University’s ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with its requirements. He noted that AUA’s longstanding adoption of U.S. higher education practices, including shared governance structures, faculty and student representation, ethics and grievance procedures, whistleblower policies, and need-based financial aid, has positioned the University well to meet many of the law’s provisions. Following the law’s adoption AUA established an internal committee to review its requirements, identify any gaps, and develop a timeline for implementation. Dr. Boghosian expressed confidence in AUA’s ability to comply with the law while preserving the institutional practices that have guided the University since its founding.
Dr. Boghosian also addressed AUA’s continued efforts to expand its research capacity. While the University initially focused primarily on innovative teaching, research has grown significantly in a variety of areas, including health sciences, environmental studies, as well as the humanities and social sciences.
The discussion further underscored the importance of collaboration among universities and industry, noting that partnerships across Armenia’s higher education and research ecosystem can create opportunities that are greater than the sum of their parts.
The conference also featured a discussion titled “Impact of AI on Society,” which included Professor Baghramian, who spoke about Armenia’s role in the development of artificial intelligence (AI). “We should not think of ourselves just as recipients but actors who can influence how things will go,” she remarked.
The panel featured Rev Lebaredian, vice president of Physical AI Simulation at NVIDIA and member of the AUA Board of Trustees; Dr. Daron Acemoglu, professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Nobel Laureate (participating remotely); Harry Glorikian, CEO of Consilience Inc. and general partner of Scientia Ventures; Dr. Dork Sahagian, professor at the department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Environmental Initiative at Lehigh University; and ASOF Chair Dr. Mary Papazian.
The AUA Acopian Center for the Environment also led a session dedicated to Armenia’s preparations for the upcoming 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17). The session opened with remarks by Alen Gasparian Amirkhanian, director of the AUA Acopian Center, providing participants with an overview of the global biodiversity crisis, the major drivers of biodiversity loss, and the work of the Convention on biological diversity as the principal international framework guiding biodiversity conservation globally.
The discussion continued with Dr. Arsen Gasparyan, assistant professor at the AUA Zaven P. and Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering and biodiversity expert at the AUA Acopian Center. Dr. Gasparyan introduced participants to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted in 2022 as the global roadmap for halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030. The panel explored opportunities and challenges of internationalizing Armenia’s environmental research and science, especially using CBD COP17 as an opportunity to accelerate the process and the broader implementation of the global biodiversity agenda.
AUA’s participation in multiple sessions at the ASOF annual conference reflects the University’s contributions to education, technology, and science, and its ongoing efforts to advance research and foster collaboration in Armenia and beyond.
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 (WSCUC) 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.