GLENDALE – The Armenian Educational foundation (AEF) announced recently that Dr. Albert Melik Ghassemian of Boston donated $34,000 to fund the renovation of two Artsakh village schools and $200,000 towards the renovation of the Artsakh State University dormitory.
Artsakh State University students and faculty celebrated the opening of the renovated dormitory building on May 10. In attendance were Artsakh government officials, AEF board members and Ghassemian.
Ghassemian’s contribution allowed AEF to renovate four floors of the dormitory. The renovation of the fourth and fifth floors were completed and presented during the opening celebration. The renovation of the second and third floors will be finished this summer. In addition to funding the renovation of the dormitory, Ghassemian also helped provide the furnishings for each room, plus two kitchenettes on each floor.
During the opening celebrations, the university president and minister of education presented Ghassemian with an honorary doctorate degree from Artsakh State University. Ghassemian, a cardiologist and a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board at Boston University School of Medicine, offered philanthropic support for future projects at Artsakh State University. He also took the time to answer questions from students and inquired about their daily life at the university and their involvement in its educational programs.
In an interview with a local newspaper, Ghassemian stated that the renovation project was dear to his heart because his grandparents were born in Artsakh and that the experience brought him closer to his Armenian heritage.
The dormitory renovation project was led by AEF Board member Neshan Peroomian, who for the past 10 years has personally interviewed and selected contractors and overseen each renovation project. This renovation project raises the total number of renovated schools in Armenia, Artsakh and Javakhk by the AEF to more than 177 schools.
