Recipients of the Turpanjian Family Educational Foundation Scholarship at AUA

The American University of Armenia (AUA) is grateful for the continued benefaction of the Turpanjian Family Educational Foundation, whose support spans education, politics, healthcare, and a myriad of other areas of growth that have transformed Armenian society in various ways.

Since 2008, nearly 1,000 AUA students have benefited from the Turpanjian family’s scholarship support. Below are a handful of the Turpanjian Family Educational Foundation Scholarship recipients at AUA this academic year.

Dayana Amirkhanyan, BA English & Communications ‘23
Turpanjian Family Educational Foundation Scholarship

Dayana Amirkhanyan is a junior majoring in english and communications at the American University of Armenia (AUA). 

Aspiring to receive an education in law and international relations, Dayana decided to start with communications. She quickly adapted to the university environment and began taking initiative in extracurricular activities. “I am the president of the Volunteers’ League club and the Recitation club. The latter is a platform where we discuss our beloved writers and poets. Recently, we held a panel discussion on Hovhannes Tumanyan, in collaboration with our faculty members — it was an amazing experience,” says Dayana. 
In 2021, Dayana was selected as one of the representatives of the Student Council, which allowed her to contribute to the University. She currently works in the Admissions Office to assist new applicants. Aside from university activities, Dayana also has two years’ work experience as a community mobiliser at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), which strengthened her soft skills. “After graduation, I want to pursue a master’s degree in Political Science and International Affairs (PSIA) program. My goal is to support the youth in Armenia by opening a center, which will teach them soft skills necessary for getting involved in diplomatic affairs,” Dayana remarks. “I was the happiest person when I received the Turpanjian Educational Foundation Scholarship. But it comes with great responsibility. I intend to do everything possible to be worthy of this opportunity.”

Narek Hakobyan, BS in Data Science ‘25
Turpanjian Family Educational Foundation Scholarship

Narek Hakobyan is a first-year student majoring in data science at the American University of Armenia (AUA). 

After attending the AUA Open House, Narek learned about the BS in Data Science (BSDS) program and found an interest in statistics. With prior knowledge in programming, he decided to apply to AUA to learn more about the various offerings within data science. “AUA provides opportunities for personal and professional development. If you aim to put in the effort to specialize in your field, it gives you all the necessary tools to realize that goal,” says Narek. “Data science can solve a lot of problems, especially in Armenia. It can serve the army, which is crucial for our country right now.”

Currently, Narek works on a freelance basis as an UX/UI designer. He aspires to work with companies such as DISQO and Digitain in Armenia, which have specialized departments in data science. “I am grateful to be the recipient of the Turpanjian Educational Foundation Scholarship. It means a lot to me, as my family is unable to cover my tuition fee.”

Susanna Ktikyan, BA in Business ‘24
Turpanjian Family Educational Foundation Scholarship

Susanna Ktikyan is a second-year student majoring in business at the American University of Armenia (AUA).

Studying at AUA has been a lifelong dream for Susanna, which would not have been possible without the generous support of the Turpanjian Educational Foundation. “My family was hesitant about my choice to study at AUA due to financial difficulties,” she says. “I’m extremely grateful for this exciting opportunity to be here.”

During her freshman year, Susanna worked as a sales specialist at JoinToHire company, which was a great initial experience. She aims to gain extensive knowledge and practice in business and marketing at AUA to pursue her master’s degree in the future. She is also interested in computer science and hopes to combine both fields to create her own startup one day.

Yuri Ghalachyan, BS in Data Science ‘25
Turpanjian Family Educational Foundation Scholarship

Yuri Ghalachyan is a freshman majoring in data science at the American University of Armenia (AUA). 

Initially, Yuri applied to the BA in Politics and Governance program at AUA. After returning from the army, he reconsidered and switched to data science. “Everyone uses data. Armenia has many companies like Krisp, which work with machine learning. I hope to find more opportunities to make a positive impact in Armenia,” says Yuri. “If we manage to advance in this field, it will be a promising niche for our country. IT is the future, and I hope I can play my role in it.”

As a first-year student, Yuri looks forward to attending in-depth courses in artificial intelligence and gaining practical experience. He currently works as a data science intern at the GP Management Advisory. “My family is in a challenging situation. The Turpanjian Educational Foundation offers great support, as it allows me to feel less stressed about financial issues and focus on my education for my future career. I am extremely grateful for it.”