Hosts Liza & Vahan Bagamian<\/p><\/div>\n
\nGenerously hosted at the home of AUA supporters Liza and Vahan Bagamian, the event welcomed over 300 staunch patrons and major benefactors of the University. This elegant outdoor celebration commenced with an invocation prayer by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, followed by opening remarks by co-chairs Liza Bagamian and Alice Petrossian. Bagamian welcomed everyone to her home and especially thanked the AUA Development team for its tireless work and dedication to the University, saying \u201cLet us not forget that we may be here for AUA tonight, but they are there for AUA every day.\u201d In turn, Petrossian commended the 30th Anniversary committee, a dynamic group of women from the community, for ensuring the success of the event.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThe AUA Development Team: Lucas Der Mugrdechian, Siranush Khandanyan, Gaiane Khachatrian, Marianna Achemian, Edlin Hovsepian<\/p><\/div>\n
\nAUA Vice President of Development Gaiane Khachatrian then took the stage to thank the University\u2019s community of supporters and elaborated on the capital campaign, saying, \u201cWhat we have accomplished together is just the beginning of what is yet to challenge us in the years ahead. We are about to embark on our most daring, ambitious, but imperative higher education initiative: the construction of the new AUA Science and Engineering building.\u201d She continued, noting, \u201cThe importance of STEM education has a new sense of urgency today in our homeland. The need for establishing a building with the necessary research labs, technology platforms, and STEM teaching amenities is real and compelling. Together, we can build a better future for Armenia!\u201d Khachatrian also thanked the AUA presidents and their spouses for the commitments they made in leading AUA to where it is today.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThe highlights of the night included two panels led by moderators Valina Agbabian, member of the National Board of Trustees of the Armenian Assembly of America, and Lusine Yeghiazaryan, chief financial officer at Sada Systems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nValina Agbabian, Dr. Armenian, Dr. Der Kiureghian, Dr. Markides<\/p><\/div>\n
\nThe first panel, <\/span>AUA Breaks Ground: From a Strong Foundation to Newer Heights in Education<\/i><\/b>, comprised AUA Co-Founder and President Emeritus Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian, presidents emeriti Dr. Haroutune Armenian and Dr. Bruce Boghosian, and incumbent president Dr. Karin Markides. The discussion centered around the role AUA has played as a leading higher education institution in Armenia, the advances and accomplishments it has achieved in the past 30 years, and the new trajectory it is setting out to pursue in the next decade. Dr. Der Kiureghian spotlighted the significance of the campaign with regard to furthering the country\u2019s economic growth and security, while Dr. Armenian talked about the tremendous impact made by the founders in the early years of AUA. In turn, Dr. Markides described how the new initiative would enable AUA, together with Diaspora Armenians, alumni, industries, and public actors, to reach a critical mass of researchers, students, and collaborators for making tangible impact and creating a prosperous future for Armenia. She concluded her remarks depicting how the new Science & Engineering building would enable students with basic science knowledge to interact with students from the humanities, health, business, and law, guided by advanced computers and data science to solve societal challenges in a way that attracts greater talent and creates more opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\nLusine Yeghiazaryan, Hovig Safoian, Sam Simonian, Vahe Kuzoyan, Dr. Margarit Khachatryan, Dr. Susan Jerian<\/p><\/div>\n
\nThe second panel, <\/span>Investing in Armenia\u2019s Growing Tech Sector: AUA\u2019s Role in Preparing the Workforce<\/i><\/b>, included prominent influencers in the science and technology community: Dr. Susan Jerian, president of Oncord, Inc.; AUA alumna Dr. Margarit Khachatryan, director of data science at Cooler Screens; Vahe Kuzoyan, co-founder and president of ServiceTitan; Hovig Safoian, co-founder and chairman of Sada Systems; and Sam Simonian, founder of the Tumo Center for Creative Technologies. The discussion revolved around the critical need for a new Science & Engineering Building that will facilitate an advanced STEM curriculum to meet the changing demands of the rapidly evolving technological landscape in Armenia. The panelists unanimously held that preparing the next generation of tech professionals is the greatest and most urgent challenge AUA must address. Kuzoyan also asserted that the Diaspora plays the most critical role of support. Simonian, who with his wife had sponsored the establishment of the AUA Master of Science in Computer and Information Science program in 2002, exalted the institution for its transparency and meticulous direction of sponsored scholarships to deliver the specific results that reflect donor purpose. In turn, making a strong case for support, Dr. Jerian noted, \u201cBy investing in this new building, AUA will be better able to recruit the best and brightest faculty critical to achieving the University\u2019s high standards of educational excellence.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n