AUA Alumni Invite Leadership for Roundtable on the Future of the University

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YEREVAN, Armenia – On June 25, 2015, the American University of Armenia (AUA) held a roundtable discussion with representatives from AUA’s graduating classes of 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010 on the eve of the 2015 Alumni Reunion. The goal of the meeting was to engage in a productive dialogue, prioritize for the strategic development of the university, discuss its future, and share ideas and solutions for its improvement.

Among the leadership present was President Armen Der Kiureghian, Vice President of Operations Ashot Ghazaryan, Provost Don Fuller, Vice President of Finance Gevorg Goyunyan, Communications Director Zara Zeitountsian, Alumni and Career Development Officer Narine Petrosyan, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Tom Samuelian, Dean of the College of Science and Engineering Aram Hajian, and Assistant Professor in the School of Business and Economics Vardan Baghdasaryan.

Ararat Ghukasyan (IESM ’95) led the meeting, stating, “The alumni sitting around this table have all greatly benefitted from AUA, and our lives would have been very different if we hadn’t studied here. What we wanted to discuss today is how we can ensure that same opportunity for others.”

The discussion centered around three main topics: the current status and image of AUA graduates in the job market, the need for increased practical application of theoretical concepts in the curriculum, and strategies for engaging alumni in AUA activities.

The meeting concluded with talks for the creation of an official AUA Alumni Association and continued open dialogue between alumni and AUA leadership.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.