Mission
The mission of the Armenian Virtual College (AVC) is to provide learners around the world with the opportunity to receive a full-fledged education in Armenian Studies, regardless of their age, country of residence, or knowledge level. With the latest advances in the world of virtual education, AVC strives to become a strategic tool for preserving the Armenian identity in the Diaspora and to create a virtual learning community that fosters both the cultural education and social communication otherwise out of the reach of students who wish to pursue education in the field of Armenian Studies.
Vision
AVC aspires to be the leading online higher education institution in Armenian Studies with an educative outreach worldwide.
Core Values
History
The Armenian Virtual College (AVC) was founded in 2004 by Dr. Yervant Zorian, Chairman of AGBU’s Silicon Valley Chapter. He had long noted the need for an educational program that better addresses the current demands of the Armenian nation in the Diaspora and the homeland. Since then, the technology at the heart of the project has been developed largely in Armenia with the collaboration of scientists and engineers from the Yerevan State University Information Technology Center for Education and Research.
Launched with a limited number of courses offered through two departments - Armenian Language and History - today AVC has multiplied the courses, added new departments, and adopted more languages of instruction. All of these have increased the importance of this unique program, and have contributed toward the expansion of AVC’s geography.
Today AVC is comprised of more than 39,211 users from 132 countries around the world - from the United States to Russia, from South Africa to Venezuela, from Argentina to tropical Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean.
Due to its online program and multiple languages of instruction, AVC is within reach of every individual wishing to take courses in Armenian Studies who is competent in any of the seven languages.
AVC leverages AGBU’s Armenian educational experience, infrastructure and quality brand name, while incorporating the global distance learning pedagogical expertise and models into its everyday practices.
In its efforts to make the Armenian Language, History and Culture accessible worldwide,
AVC partners with educational institutions and other organizations around the world who
deliver unprecedented value in strengthening and supporting AVC outreach and the programs’ impact.
Our partnerships are based on mutual goals and synergy and reflect a long-term commitment to implementing AVC’s mission.
Founding President of the Armenian Virtual College,
Member, AGBU Central Board of Directors
Dear Armenian Virtual College students and friends,
Welcome to the website of the Armenian Virtual College. The College aims to provide learners around the world the opportunity to receive a full-fledged Armenian education, regardless of their age, country of residence, or knowledge level.
The Armenian Virtual College was founded in 2004 and launched its first academic term in June 2009. The College has a great potential impact in supporting our national struggle to preserve the Armenian language, history and culture.
As of today, AVC has served over 39,211 students from 132 countries, spread from Georgia to China, from Sweden to South Africa and from Argentina to Canada. The College continues to grow in number of new initiatives, students and partner institutions, thanks to the reputation it has earned in Armenia and Diaspora. The recent additions to the AVC programs include mobile applications to expand its reach through smart-phones and tablets, Multimedia Podcast Series for non-students interested in topics of Armenian history and culture, and many others.
I would like to personally invite each one of you to become an AVC ambassador, to disseminate information about it in your community and across the world. AVC is eager to reach every interested individual and group seeking Armenian education anywhere in the world.
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees of the AGBU Armenian Virtual College is the corporate body established by the charter and responsible for the project’s educational and operational advancement, fiscal policies, and strategic government of the College.
The Armenian Virtual College’s leadership team is dedicated to fulfilling AVC’s mission for educational and operational advancement, to enhancing a vision for the College’s future, and to sustaining its values of academic and technological excellence.
Yervant Zorian
Founding President
Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering
Marine Khachaturyan
Head of Academic Affairs
Artur Avagyan
Development Team Senior Manager
Doctor of Philosophy in Computer & Information Sciences
Arpine Tavakalyan
Partnership and Operations Team Manager
The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the founder and sponsor of the Armenian Virtual College (AVC).
Established in 1906, AGBU is the world's largest non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually touching the lives of some 500,000 Armenians around the world. For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit www.agbu.org.
AGBU AVC representatives comprise an international group of AVC friends who serve voluntarily as AVC guides in their local communities.
These AVC Liaisons and Ambassadors play an active role in recruiting new students from their communities and disseminating information about AGBU’s Armenian Virtual College and its goals, mission, courses, departments, enrollment, terms, and more.
To become an AVC Liaison or Ambassador, please contact partnership@avc-agbu.org.
