Did You Know...?

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· the Engineering Research Center launched an international solar energy project to heat and cool the AUA Small Auditorium?

· the Collage of Health Sciences was accepted as member of the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region?

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· the 8th World Seminar on Seismic on Seismic Isolation, Energy Dissipation and Active Vibration Control of the Structures took place at AUA?

· the speaker of the National Assembly established two awards benefiting AUA; one recognizes an outstanding graduate, the other an outstanding first-year student?

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· the Digital Library projects began developing electronic versions of classic Armenian literature?
· though a generous donation of the Turpanjian Family Foundation, the AUA Digital Library of Armenian Classics completed digitization of 60 major authors of Western Armenian literature, 1850-2000?

· the AUA Digital Library provided the content of the most comprehensive 5-volume publication of the Armenian Classic Literature from the 5th to 7th century?

· the Digital Library project was awarded President of Armenia’s Prize for “the best IT project accomplished in Armenia in the last five years”?

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· Dr. Karen Aghbabyan received the United Kingdom’s prestigious Whitley Fund for Nature Award for research combining environmental conservation research with education?

· Dr. Thomas Samuelian, Dean of Law Department, studied with the President Barack Obama at Harward University?

Facilities, Services and Centers

FACILITIES

Classroom facilities are designed to meet all the needs of a modern University. Facilities, including the new state-of-the-art Paramaz Avedissian building, contain services such as wireless internet connection and computer labs with the latest software and internet accessibility. The Papazyan Library, an open stack facility serving AUA community and the public, provides print and electronic publications and research sources.

SERVICES

Assistance in finding affordable housing is provided and temporary housing is available for students in AUA Suites at Hybusiness so that everyone will feel at home right away. When students approach the end of your studies, the Alumni Development and Career Office can assist students with a job search and provides training for students in resume writing and job interviewing techniques. A cafeteria offering hot meals, snack items and drinks is available daily. The Health Center is available to meet students’ primary health care needs.

The staff of the Registrar/Office of Student Affairs and Administrative Services work together to meet the special needs of AUA international students. Assistance is given with visas and invitation letters as required, as well as housing placement, money transfer information, and any other support that is needed.

CENTER FOR BUSINESS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The Center for Business Research and Development (CBRD) carries out organized research and development projects through teams of faculty, local experts, and graduate assistants. CBRD serves as a resource for information and expertise for both local and foreign firms. CBRD was the first to provide “western” research and consulting services in the areas of business and management to Armenia.

ENIVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION

All AUA students are required to take one course in Environment Science and Conservation (ESC). Interested students can also pursue a certificate in ESC. The program integrates environmental issues into the broader educational context of the students’ degree programs and allows for student research projects tied to their major fields of study.

Paramaz Avedissian Building

On 1^st November, 2008 The American University of Armenia opened a new, state-of-the-art building. This new building will enable AUA to double its enrollment, expand professional education programs and enrich the quality of day-to-day student life.
Paramaz Avedisian Building will contribute AUA and Armenia by making Armenia the hub for higher education in the region, surpassing and sustaining accreditation expectations, enabling the growth of national and international research, showcasing a model facility for the country region and beyond using AUA’s knowledge of engineering and environmentalism.
The new building has large classrooms with central cooling and heating systems and wireless Internet connections, a video conferencing room, a cafeteria, a bookstore, a gym, and exhibition space.

"To create a building of this quality at this time, at this cost - at a time when building costs were escalating rapidly - is an extraordinary achievement," told Dr. Hume continued. "And I know that this building will give new life and new energy and new strength to the academic programs of this university. "
“The university strives to become a regional educational center in the Caucasus, providing not just local service but service to the region at large,” told Mihran Agbabian, the university's president emeritus.

Catholicos Karekin II blessed the building during the opening ceremony. He said Armenians care a great deal about education and believe "it is better to be blind of eye than blind of mind."
In his speech the Prime minister Tigran Sargsyan highlighted "We must develop the skills for lifelong learning. We are ready to participate and co-finance. We already have an agreement with the American University of Armenia to cooperate in macroeconomics, because we have a great need for experts in the field."
On behalf of the president of Armenia, the Prime minister bestowed the Movses Khorenatsi medal upon Edward Avedisian and Jerry Turpanjian, founder of the Turpanjian Family Foundation, which is among the main supporters of the university and the building.
Special thanks to all donors especially to Khoren and Shooshanig Avedisians, the Manoogian Simone Foundation and the Turpanjian Family Foundation for their significant contributions.

Faculty

AUA administration and departments do their best to attract and have the best, distinguished and qualified faculty from all over the world. Renowned resident and visiting faculty from the U.S., Canada, Armenia, India, Europe, and the Middle East bring a unique global perspective to the classroom. The faculty at AUA possess Ph.D.’s from Western universities and have extensive experience in teaching and scholarship (e.g. Fullbright scholarship) in high ranking universities. They are western-trained and incorporate American academic values and approaches in their teaching. The faculty design classroom lectures in the most powerful way which requires student full engagement and active participation. They provide students with a strong foundation in well-balanced theory and practice, prepare them with knowledge and skills for carrying out research and instill the required qualities for meeting students’ professional objectives and growth. They encourage and help students to develop their critical thinking, creative approaches, problem solving, leadership and language skills.

However the student-instructor relationship doesn’t end in the classroom. The faculty like to participate in the events and trips organized by the students. They are eager to know Armenia, its culture, values and peculiarities better with the help of the students. After returning to their own countries, the faculty continue to keep the contacts with their students. They become happy and proud of their students’ successes and are always ready to assist students if they have any trouble or difficulty.AUA proudly continues to encourage and to develop a robust research environment for faculty and students.

Students

As the places for academic programs at AUA are limited and the entrance competition is very tough, only highly qualified students are being admitted. Just from the start students are eager to adopt the Western style of learning, which is very challenging and requires more individual and team work. AUA's diverse student population is very motivated, inspired for acquring firm and sound knowledge and has been described by visiting faculty as among the best they have taught anywhere.

Not only are AUA students actively involved in academic programs, but they are also involved in public life, volunteering services and youth organizations. They are truly considered as the change agents of Armenian society and the leaders among young people. AUA students organize and participate in various conferences, forums and round table discussions where they represent their views, concerns and voice as a part of the youth and active citizens.

AUA students also know how to celebrate events, organize parties and enjoy holidays. Friendly and warm atmosphere promotes to build and sustain good and strong relationship with other persons.
Interesting and educational trips to historical, monumental or entertainment places of Armenia enhance students’ understanding of Armenian history and culture.
AUA students organize and participate in inter-universities sport and intellectual competitions and very often take honorable places. Every participant of this kind of competitions receives strong support from AUA and student friends.

Undoubtly AUA student can describe his/her student life as rich, challenging, remarkable and dynamic, which greatly assists his/her professional and personal growth.

Departments

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Preparing the business leader of the future

The MBA is designed to prepare future business entrepreneurs, managers, and executives of private enterprises. The program promotes of the understanding and practice of management through research, case analysis and projects, which helps future manager interact effectively within a global competitive environment.

SCHOOL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE & INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Strengthening skills and broadening perspectives

The School’s primary focus is to prepare graduates to function effectively in government service and in the private sector as administrators, diplomats and policy analysts. The program aims to provide students with knowledge and perspective needed to function effectively and reasonably in public service, the private sector, and as agents for change in society.

COLLAGE OF ENGINEERING
Emphasizing both theoretical and applied learning

The Computer and Information Science program is an applied program to help students gain necessary skills requisite to being productive leaders of the computing and related industries. Students have a broad of training in the technical areas of the field, as well as in business, management and entrepreneurship.
The Industrial Engineering and System Management is to prepare graduates with a broad-based knowledge in the principles of industrial production and operations management. It prepares graduates to work in all types of manufacturing and service industries.

COLLAGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES
Developing expertise in healthcare research and management

This course provides students with a conceptual overview of the diverse profession of public health and a team-oriented approach to profession practice. The program offers an integrated approach to developing expertise in managing health programs, assessing the health needs of populations, and translating that knowledge into improved health designing, implementing, and evaluating programs.

DEPARTMENT OF LAW
Advocates for the Future

The Department of Law aims to prepare high-caliber legal advisers and advocates who are conversant in international best practices in the field of law and are committed to serving both public and private sectors.

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH PROGRAMS
Graduating teachers with up-to-date knowledge and skills

This Department was established to meet the growing English language needs of Armenia and the region. The program prepares students with a strong foundation in theory and practice, including professional skills for teaching at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

History

THE AUA MISSION

As an institution of higher learning, the American University of Armenia provides teaching, research, and service programs that prepare students to address the needs of Armenia and the surrounding region for sustainable development, in a setting that values and develops academic excellence, free inquiry, scholarship, leadership, and service to society.

THE IDEA

Armenia was always famous for its outstanding academicians, scientists, professors and qualified specialists during Soviet epoch. However, on December 7, 1988 devastating earthquake and tragedy became a turning point for Armenian educational system. Armenia acknowledged the need of a new approach to engineering and technical solutions for its safety. After exceptional interactions with the Western specialists, Armenian scientists proposed collaboration and establishment of a new way teaching and Western type education system in Armenia, thus choosing and focusing on American graduate university model. The idea was greatly supported by the Armenian government, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and the University of California (UC).

THE REALITY

AGBU agreed to assist with operational funding necessary to launch the University and the University of California supported and shared with technical and educational experiences by preparing cadre of faculty and participating in the development of academic programs. American University of Armenia (AUA) opened its doors on September 21, 1991; the day when Armenia declared its independence. Since that symbolic day, AUA has become the leader in providing of graduate education, competitive knowledge, research opportunities and highly qualified professionals in Armenia and in the region by creating the environment of mutual respect, intellectual openness, strong culture and by encouraging public service, collaboration, creative and critical approaches. Now AUA is affiliated with the University of California and has firmly positioned itself in Armenia as the most respectful university.

ACCREDITATION

During its activities, operations and growth AUA has faced many challenges, difficulties, achievements and recognition. However, one of the most important achievements of AUA is the accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) for seven years. This was the first time that WASC had ever considered a university outside territorial United States and qualified that AUA is consistent with Commission standards, offers its students on a satisfactory level the educational opportunities implied in its objectives and is likely to continue to do so. It took AUA nine long years for the accreditation process which required hard and consistent work by truly devoted people, professionals, staff, faculty and students. Today WASC accreditation assists students to become eligible to apply to a wide range of doctoral programs and assures that AUA's educational programs meet American normative standards of quality.