YEREVAN—The United States Agency for International Development Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia, Ambassador Erin E. McKee, on Thursday visited the American University of Armenia.
Ambassador Mckee was joined by a delegation comprising of John G. Allelo, USAID/Armenia mission director; Andranik Manukyan, project management specialist; Isabelle Iguchi, special assistant; Andrew Golda, deputy director of the USAID/Armenia Economic Growth Office; Manvel Keshishyan, development outreach and communications specialist; and Meri Karapetyan, project management assistant.
AUA President Dr. Bruce Boghosian, Vice President of Operations Ashot Ghazaryan, Vice President of Finance Gevorg Goyunyan, Assistant to the Vice President Anahit Ordyan, and Chief Communications Officer Narek Ghazaryan greeted the delegation and gave the group a quick tour of campus. The group then convened in the Conference Room of the Paramaz Avedisian Building, where Dr. Boghosian opened the discussion by noting AUA’s longtime affiliation with the University of California and accreditation with the WASC Senior College and University Commission, which was renewed this year for the longest possible period of ten years.
Dr. Boghosian also described AUA’s structure, management, and governance; detailed upcoming plans; and underscored the importance of financial support AUA has received to date from the United States government. He emphasized the first USAID major grant of $9,580,000 in 1999 (market value today is close to $17,000,000), which served as seed money for the AUA endowment that is currently managed by the University of California. He also noted the most recent grant for the AUA Media Lab from USAID/ASHA, as well as the grant for the Center for Excellence in Journalism funded by the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan.
The conversation then turned to a discussion of the impact AUA has in the daily, political, and practical life of the Armenian state. Ambassador McKee learned about the University’s full-need and need-blind admission policy for Armenian citizens and 10-year passport holders — a rarity for private universities, even in the United States — and that application numbers are growing while selection is becoming increasingly competitive.
Dr. Boghosian presented the degree offerings of the University, specifically highlighting the importance of the Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Governance and the Master of Public Affairs programs in preparing the next generation of public officials. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Sustainability Sciences programs were mentioned for their importance in introducing international standards on these issues to Armenia and integrating the country in the global discourse surrounding these topics. The President also emphasized the role of the upcoming Center for Excellence in Journalism and accompanying master’s program in journalism as a key indicator of the country’s democratic transition and commitment to democratic values, as well as the importance of this program in improving the Armenian media sector and preventing the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
Dr. Boghosian then shifted the conversation to a discussion of AUA’s efforts to expand its STEM offerings, how AUA faculty and graduates contribute their knowledge to both the public and private sectors in Armenia, and the role AUA plays in ensuring the next generation of leaders in Armenia are of the highest quality, among other topics. Ambassador McKee noted the importance of alternative energy sources for USAID and the agency’s willingness to help Armenia advance in this sector. VPO Ghazaryan highlighted AUA’s pioneering role in this sphere, as it utilizes solar panels designed by one of the University’s very own alumni, and that AUA is currently investing in alternative energy sources.
Dr. Boghosian also spoke about AUA Extension courses, through which the University maintains a presence in regions and showcases its commitment to nation building and providing opportunities for students from all parts of the country. The President also highlighted a few key challenges that the University is facing, most notably the possibility of scaling and expanding the physical campus of the University. He mentioned the fact that with its current campus, the University is now at maximum capacity to take in qualified applicants seeking an AUA education. Indeed, the University is turning down applicants with high SAT scores due to a lack of physical space. Ambassador McKee mentioned that the University should be able to accept a greater number of students in the future and was encouraged by AUA’s generous financial aid policies.
Dr. Boghosian finished by enumerating key features of American higher education that AUA has introduced in Armenia, including, for example, academic freedom, a Faculty Senate, student participation in University governance, a whistleblower policy, careful attention to salary equity for faculty and staff, and a policy on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia 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.
