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American University of Armenia
Diana Manukyan | AUA PR Manager
Office of Communications
40 Marshal Baghramyan Ave. | Yerevan, 0019, Armenia
Tel: +374 60 612 522; Email: [email protected] | www.aua.am
Ruben Vardanyan Inspires at AUA
YEREVAN, Armenia - On December 6, 2014, the American University of Armenia
(AUA) welcomed Ruben Vardanyan for an inspiring presentation on `Armenia
and the Armenian World.' He discussed the present state of Armenia,
possibilities for the future of the country, and the role that both local
and diasporan Armenians can play in its development and success.
Vardanyan's presentation began with his optimistic vision for the future,
which emphasized philanthropy and development as the key factors for a
prosperous Armenia. `Philanthropy is important only if it serves its
ultimate purpose: to initiate positive changes and improvements at the
systemic level,' he said.
To achieve this, Armenians around the world should be active participants
and knowledgeable citizens in their quest for an even greater independent
republic. He stated, `It is our responsibility to do something for our
nation.' Vardanyan also discussed the need for Armenians to have a
respectable and recognizable modern-day figure that can aid in the
development of the Armenian `brand' and the marketing of Armenia as a
desirable place to live and visit.
One important theme throughout Vardanyan's presentation was how Armenians
can become global citizens without losing their national identity. He
emphasized the importance of traveling the world, interacting with
different people and cultures, and learning several languages. He cited
education, research, and the development of higher education institutions
like AUA as key factors to achieving an Armenia in which its citizens think
globally and act locally.
Vardanyan is involved in many projects for the sustainable development of
Armenia, one of which being the `Armenia 2020' project, which he discussed
during the presentation. The project brings together key individuals of the
Armenian diaspora to address and find solutions to the major problems that
Armenia faces. It encourages dialogue among the diaspora as well as
investment in a vision for the future of the country. He encouraged
audience members to make their own small investments in the country, not
just financially, but practically and sustainably.
Ruben Vardanyan, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, is Co-Founder of the
IDeA Foundation, an organization which implements strategic charitable
initiatives for Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian diaspora, and a Founding
Partner of the UWC Dilijan College. He serves as Advisor to the Chairman of
the Board and CEO of Sberbank of Russia. He is a Founding Partner and
Vice-Chairman of the International Advisory Board of the Moscow School of
Management SKOLKOVO, as well as Chairman of the SKOLKOVO Institute for
Emerging Market Studies. Vardanyan graduated from Lomonosov Moscow State
University and has completed post-graduate courses and programs at INSEAD,
Harvard Business School, Yale University, and Stanford University.
Following his presentation, Vardanyan answered questions from the audience
on topics such as his involvement with educational institutions, his
experiences as an entrepreneur, his personal and professional plans for the
future, and more.
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.
Diana Manukyan | AUA PR Manager
Office of Communications
40 Marshal Baghramyan Ave. | Yerevan, 0019, Armenia
Tel: +374 60 612 522; Email: [email protected] | www.aua.am
Ruben Vardanyan Inspires at AUA
YEREVAN, Armenia - On December 6, 2014, the American University of Armenia
(AUA) welcomed Ruben Vardanyan for an inspiring presentation on `Armenia
and the Armenian World.' He discussed the present state of Armenia,
possibilities for the future of the country, and the role that both local
and diasporan Armenians can play in its development and success.
Vardanyan's presentation began with his optimistic vision for the future,
which emphasized philanthropy and development as the key factors for a
prosperous Armenia. `Philanthropy is important only if it serves its
ultimate purpose: to initiate positive changes and improvements at the
systemic level,' he said.
To achieve this, Armenians around the world should be active participants
and knowledgeable citizens in their quest for an even greater independent
republic. He stated, `It is our responsibility to do something for our
nation.' Vardanyan also discussed the need for Armenians to have a
respectable and recognizable modern-day figure that can aid in the
development of the Armenian `brand' and the marketing of Armenia as a
desirable place to live and visit.
One important theme throughout Vardanyan's presentation was how Armenians
can become global citizens without losing their national identity. He
emphasized the importance of traveling the world, interacting with
different people and cultures, and learning several languages. He cited
education, research, and the development of higher education institutions
like AUA as key factors to achieving an Armenia in which its citizens think
globally and act locally.
Vardanyan is involved in many projects for the sustainable development of
Armenia, one of which being the `Armenia 2020' project, which he discussed
during the presentation. The project brings together key individuals of the
Armenian diaspora to address and find solutions to the major problems that
Armenia faces. It encourages dialogue among the diaspora as well as
investment in a vision for the future of the country. He encouraged
audience members to make their own small investments in the country, not
just financially, but practically and sustainably.
Ruben Vardanyan, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, is Co-Founder of the
IDeA Foundation, an organization which implements strategic charitable
initiatives for Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian diaspora, and a Founding
Partner of the UWC Dilijan College. He serves as Advisor to the Chairman of
the Board and CEO of Sberbank of Russia. He is a Founding Partner and
Vice-Chairman of the International Advisory Board of the Moscow School of
Management SKOLKOVO, as well as Chairman of the SKOLKOVO Institute for
Emerging Market Studies. Vardanyan graduated from Lomonosov Moscow State
University and has completed post-graduate courses and programs at INSEAD,
Harvard Business School, Yale University, and Stanford University.
Following his presentation, Vardanyan answered questions from the audience
on topics such as his involvement with educational institutions, his
experiences as an entrepreneur, his personal and professional plans for the
future, and more.
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.