Tweet
AUA FOR SYRIAN ARMENIANS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
Thursday, July 10th, 2014
Syrian Armenian students in an AUA classroom
YEREVAN--On June 30, 2014, the American University of Armenia (AUA)
launched the first phase of the "AUA for Syrian Armenians" campaign,
which aims to raise money to provide valuable educational resources
to the displaced Syrian-Armenian population in Armenia through the
AUA Extension program.
In 2012, AUA launched this assistance program, which allows
Syrian-Armenian refugees to take up to two AUA Extension courses
free of charge. The program's popularity has since grown at an
unprecedented rate, proving that it provides a valuable resource to the
Syrian-Armenian population in Armenia. Since the program's inception,
AUA has already offered over 1,000 course slots free of charge to over
500 Syrian Armenians. Many of these individuals have referred others
to the program, returned to take additional courses, or enrolled in
AUA's degree programs. However, due to a lack of financial resources,
the program has been put on hold until enough money is raised to
continue it.
AUA President Dr. Bruce M. Boghosian shares, "It is both a moral and
humanitarian imperative at this juncture to do everything we can to
ensure that Syrian-Armenian refugees feel welcomed in Armenia, and that
their resettlement be facilitated to the greatest extent possible. The
American University of Armenia is proud to offer assistance in the form
of courses specially designed to help with the resettlement process,
to provide training for Syrian-Armenian professionals, and to enable
Syrian-Armenian students to apply for university admission in Armenia."
Through the assistance program, all courses in AUA Extension are
open to Syrian Armenians who arrived in Armenia in or after April
2012, when the crisis in Syria escalated. Course offerings include
language instruction, professional trainings, and preparatory courses
for the standardized tests that are necessary for applying to many
universities, including AUA.
The director of AUA Extension, Dr. Arpie Balian, explains, "Supporting
the AUA for Syrian Armenians campaign means contributing to something
that has been proven useful. This is an investment in a Syrian
Armenian's future. Our program is particularly helpful for those
Syrian Armenians who have chosen to stay here in Armenia. For those
who will eventually return to their homes in Syria or go elsewhere,
the program helps alleviate anxiety while teaching them English
language skills and other knowledge and skills in management that
will be beneficial wherever they go. It appears that most of the
Syrian Armenians that have come to AUA Extension are those who will
stay in Armenia. We are helping them get back on their feet through
courses that will contribute to building their future here."
The AUA for Syrian Armenians campaign is a crowdsourcing campaign that
aims to gather a large number of donations of any size. Contributions
of any level will have an impact. To support the AUA for Syrian
Armenians campaign, please click here.
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.
Thursday, July 10th, 2014
Syrian Armenian students in an AUA classroom
YEREVAN--On June 30, 2014, the American University of Armenia (AUA)
launched the first phase of the "AUA for Syrian Armenians" campaign,
which aims to raise money to provide valuable educational resources
to the displaced Syrian-Armenian population in Armenia through the
AUA Extension program.
In 2012, AUA launched this assistance program, which allows
Syrian-Armenian refugees to take up to two AUA Extension courses
free of charge. The program's popularity has since grown at an
unprecedented rate, proving that it provides a valuable resource to the
Syrian-Armenian population in Armenia. Since the program's inception,
AUA has already offered over 1,000 course slots free of charge to over
500 Syrian Armenians. Many of these individuals have referred others
to the program, returned to take additional courses, or enrolled in
AUA's degree programs. However, due to a lack of financial resources,
the program has been put on hold until enough money is raised to
continue it.
AUA President Dr. Bruce M. Boghosian shares, "It is both a moral and
humanitarian imperative at this juncture to do everything we can to
ensure that Syrian-Armenian refugees feel welcomed in Armenia, and that
their resettlement be facilitated to the greatest extent possible. The
American University of Armenia is proud to offer assistance in the form
of courses specially designed to help with the resettlement process,
to provide training for Syrian-Armenian professionals, and to enable
Syrian-Armenian students to apply for university admission in Armenia."
Through the assistance program, all courses in AUA Extension are
open to Syrian Armenians who arrived in Armenia in or after April
2012, when the crisis in Syria escalated. Course offerings include
language instruction, professional trainings, and preparatory courses
for the standardized tests that are necessary for applying to many
universities, including AUA.
The director of AUA Extension, Dr. Arpie Balian, explains, "Supporting
the AUA for Syrian Armenians campaign means contributing to something
that has been proven useful. This is an investment in a Syrian
Armenian's future. Our program is particularly helpful for those
Syrian Armenians who have chosen to stay here in Armenia. For those
who will eventually return to their homes in Syria or go elsewhere,
the program helps alleviate anxiety while teaching them English
language skills and other knowledge and skills in management that
will be beneficial wherever they go. It appears that most of the
Syrian Armenians that have come to AUA Extension are those who will
stay in Armenia. We are helping them get back on their feet through
courses that will contribute to building their future here."
The AUA for Syrian Armenians campaign is a crowdsourcing campaign that
aims to gather a large number of donations of any size. Contributions
of any level will have an impact. To support the AUA for Syrian
Armenians campaign, please click here.
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.