CBE Celebrates 10 Years of MSE at First Alumni Reunion Event

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YEREVAN, Armenia — On March 17, the American University of Armenia (AUA) Manoogian Simone College of Business and Economics (CBE) Master of Science in Economics (MSE) program held its first alumni reunion in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Program. The occasion was a fantastic platform for alumni, students, and faculty to reconnect and celebrate the Program’s success.

AUA President Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian and CBE Dean Dr. Vache Gabrielyan made opening remarks and spoke about the Program, its inception, unique role within the University and exceptional cooperation with the Central Bank of Armenia. MSE Program Chair Dr. Gurgen Aslanyan hosted the event.

The celebration included the Best MSE Alumnus contest, where alumni and students had the chance to nominate fellow alumni who they believe have achieved great success in their field since graduating from the Program. After all nominations were received, three finalists were selected to compete, and the Best MSE Alumnus was determined based on e-votes cast by the alumni at the event. The winner of the award was MSE alumnus and CBE Assistant Professor Dr. Sevag Agop. Being one of the Program’s earliest graduates, he chose to return to AUA with a firm commitment to educate future generations.

“I am incredibly honored and grateful to be selected as the recipient of the Best MSE Alumnus 2023 award. This will motivate me to work harder and strive for excellence in all that I do. For me, MSE was a game-changer; it certainly pushed me to discover some aspects of me that I was not aware of, and triggered every success I had and will have in the future,” Dr. Agop remarked.

The other nominees were Vardan Avagyan, project manager of Samsung Innovation Campus in Armenia that provides a vital community service educating younger generations, and the first married couple from the MSE program — Sveta Muradyan and CBE adjunct lecturer Sargis Maghakyan.

Another online activity was held during the event, adding more fun and a communal element to the celebration. All guests were asked to submit a single word that they believed best characterized the Program. This activity not only engaged the guests but also provided valuable insights into the Program’s strengths and impact. The responses received were diverse and reflected on MSE’s various facets, including its academic rigor, relevance to real-world issues, and the strong sense of community among students and alumni. Overall, this activity served as a testament to the Program’s success and highlighted the positive impact it has had on students and the community.

At the conclusion of the festive event, MSE Program Chair Dr. Aslanyan remarked: “Interim President Dr. Der Kiureghian’s excursion down memory lane, recounting the inception of the Program, was heartwarming and inspiring. It was also exciting to hear Deputy Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Armen Nurbekyan discuss future plans of cooperation. The best part of the evening was discovering that our alumni have permeated every walk of life, making significant contributions to society and our country’s economy. It was a proud moment and a testament to the impact of MSE on Armenia.”

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, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.