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PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Yervant Zorian Presents New AGBU Virtual School at Aleppo Event
A lecture program by Silicon Valley innovator, Yervant Zorian, was held
in the AGBU Gulbenkian Center in Aleppo, Syria last fall. The event was
organized by AGBU Aleppo.
Zorian, who is vice president and chief scientist of Virage Logic in
Silicon Valley, California, presented the computerized Armenian distance
learning program prepared jointly by AGBU Silicon Valley and experts at
Yerevan State University.
Opening remarks were delivered by Zepure Tamerian, who spoke about the
opportunities provided by the new age of computers and the Internet and
the wonderful things that can be achieved with both. She introduced
Zorian and mentioned that, as a third-generation AGBU member, he follows
in the path of his father and grandfather, who were both strong
supporters of AGBU’s mission and endeavors.
Before beginning his demonstration of the new virtual school, Zorian
presented extensive data that suggests that only five percent of
Armenian students throughout the diaspora attend Armenian schools and
receive Armenian language or other Armenian education. This reality, he
suggested, demanded that we develop educational programs that suit
present-day conditions and appeal to today’s students.
Zorian expressed enthusiasm that the computerized Armenian distance
learning program will be able to fill an important educational void.
Students learning through this virtual college created by AGBU will
receive a full-fledged Armenian education, irrespective of their age and
knowledge levels.
The online program is made up of 12 courses (four Armenian language
courses, four history courses, four culture courses), and instruction
will be available in Armenian (Eastern & Western), English, French,
Russian, and Spanish.
This virtual institute complements AGBU’s educational institutions
around the world and will be launched in September 2008 to provide
Armenians the opportunity to receive an Armenian education, regardless
of their country of residence or citizenship.
At the conclusion of the presentation, Bedros Boyadjian, Chairman of the
AGBU Syria District Committee, honored Zorian with the local AGBU
Centennial souvenir medal.
Zorian is an honorary doctor of the Armenian Academy of Sciences,
program chairman of the Armenian Technology (Armtech) Congress, and
member of the governing council of the American University of Armenia.
He is also president of the AGBU Silicon Valley chapter in California.
Established in 1906, AGBU () is the world’s largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City with an
annual budget of $36 million, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian
identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian
programs, annually touching the lives of some 400,000 Armenians on six
continents.