University Support

Committed to helping Armenia’s best and brightest fulfill their academic and career potentials and enrich the nation's labor force, AGBU supports and partners with some of the country's top universities. Ever since Armenia's independence, we have laid the foundation for university infrastructure as well as provided funding for scholarships to open doors of opportunity to students from both urban and rural areas. Our support of the American University of Armenia (AUA), Yerevan State University (YSU), and L’Université française en Arménie (UFAR) educates each generation of students in line with the times and the needs of the nation. 

American University of Armenia

With AGBU's significant support, the American University of Armenia (AUA) opened in 1991 to help train a new generation of leaders in self-governance and nurture a progressive western style education to meet the demands of an open free market economy. To meet this urgent national mandate, AUA quickly expanded to offer quality education in business administration, political science, international relations, and public health. These initial areas of focus have broadened exponentially through the years to provide a robust array of educational opportunities. 

As a partnership among AGBU, the University of California (UC), and the Armenian government, AUA would become the first and only university in the region with U.S. accreditation. With the founding leadership of the late AGBU Central Board Member Dr. Mihran Agbabian as its president and the late AGBU President Louise Manoogian Simone driving the initial vision, the university soon became a center of excellence in the country. Over the years, AGBU benefactors have contributed to major projects including the installation of libraries, student/faculty facilities and new academic departments. Most notable is the university's Manoogian College of Business and Economics (CBE), founded in 2002. In addition, AGBU has maintained a large presence on the board of directors of the university ensuring a focus on the initial mission to maximize the institution's long-term impact on the development and strengthening of Armenia as a nation. 

Beyond serving full-time students in Yerevan, AGBU helped support continuing education in Artsakh with the AUA Open Education program. The courses include certification tracks in strategic management, executive leadership, public policy administration, and tourism and hospitality management. 

To date, AGBU remains a key strategic partner and major financial supporter of AUA, its branches and programs. 

Making Higher Education Accessible for All

Our partnerships with Yerevan State University (YSU) and L’Université française en Arménie (UFAR) have allowed hundreds of students to afford a globally competitive education.

AGBU has, in fact, played an important role in the history of YSU with the earliest known investment dating as far back as 1927 when the AGBU Central Board decided to designate annual subsidies to the university. In the years that followed, AGBU continued its support in a range of projects. In 1930, a building referred to as the "Parekordzagan Building" was constructed from a fund established in the name of AGBU co-founder Boghos Nubar, to be used as residence for professors of YSU as well as other Armenian intellectuals. AGBU also provided modern equipment to support scientific research at the university during this time. In more recent years, we have worked alongside YSU to provide for renovations and advanced technologies. 

First partnering with UFAR in 2004, AGBU has funded countless scholarships for students of various educational focuses. In addition, we have cultivated a robust internship program between Armenia and France with the support of AGBU France chapters whereby student spend an invaluable semester in France to improve their language skills and employment potential.