‘Yes, Armenian Women Can!’ Campaign Benefit in Los Angeles

Alluding to the World Bank’s recent statistics that show a 17-percent growth in IT around the globe, and a 20-percent increase in Armenia, she noted there is an abundant supply of jobs in the field that women can pursue, ultimately strengthening themselves and their lives.

“Women should have the decision-making power of what happens to them and their children and to live a full life in order to rise to their full potential,” said Kaftarian.

As Mamikonyan shared her journey to AUA from Sissian, a region in Southern Armenia, she served as a powerful reminder of the positive results that can occur when supporting the education of young women.

A rising senior studying computer science, Mamikonyan, a scholarship recipient, has already secured a job offer upon graduation, but remembers the challenges she faced while applying to college. Living a few hours from the capital city, she had to travel to Yerevan from her hometown to study with tutors for the TOEFL and SAT exams, and also schedule to take the standardized tests in the capital city, as there were no other testing sites.

“There are a lot of bright minds from the rural regions, from Sissian to Megri to Kapan,” said Mamikonyan. “Currently only 7 percent of AUA’s student body is from the rural areas, but if the process was more accessible, many more qualified students would apply.”

In her welcoming remarks, Alice Altoon, a retired judge, emphasized the importance of the scholarship program through the “Yes, Armenian Women Can!” campaign, noting it as a “worthy cause” that will help young Armenians remain in the homeland and “have hope for the future.”

She commented that scholarships benefited her and her husband’s lives when he received a full scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania to pursue his master’s degree in architecture.

“It made a big difference in our lives and I know the AUA scholarships will make a big difference for these women at AUA,” she said.

Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian, President of AUA, said women are an important force in Armenia and are more than half the student population at AUA, who are increasingly pursuing degrees in the tech fields.

“Armenia’s future is bound to technology,” said Der Kiureghian. “Women in this field can play a significant role in the development of the country.” He noted that by establishing an endowment that aims to provide up to 100 scholarships, in perpetuity, for female AUA students studying science and engineering, the country will be on a stronger footing.

Amid the event’s inspirational tone, Elizabeth Agbabian, whose husband, Dr. Mihran Agbabian, helped found the university along with Der Kiureghian, Dr. Stephan Karamardian and Louise Simone, announced she would sponsor the education of two AUA students in her mother’s honor to benefit the “Yes, Armenian Women Can!” campaign.

Concluding the afternoon, Ronald Altoon said Armenia is at a crossroads and needs the assistance of the Diaspora and the homeland.

“Sciences are no longer gender specific and the voices of women are essential to our conversation,” he said. “Armenia needs a moral, ethical and cultural transfusion and it needs it now.”

The goal of the “Yes, Armenian Women Can!” campaign is to raise a $2.5-million endowment in order to support up to 100 female students at AUA each year, in perpetuity, who are studying science, engineering or technology. Numerous supporters have joined the campaign, in the Diaspora and in Armenia, including Yerevan-based artist Arev Petrosyan, who will donate proceeds of her sold paintings to the program. Additional paintings of hers are available at http://yawc.aua.am/campaign-supporters/.

To learn more about the “Yes, Armenian Women Can!” campaign, visit http://yawc.aua.am/ or contact the Development Office by emailing development@aua.am.