Armenia's Ministry of Education and Science Welcomes $5 Million (USD) Vocational High School Revitalization Program Devised by U.S.-Based Anoushavan Abrahamian Education Fund (AAEF); First AAEF Projects Now Underway
The Anoushavan Abrahamian Education Fund ("AAEF"), based in the U.S., has mobilized its pilot programs to inject an estimated $ 5 million (USD) in ten marzes (regions) of the Republic of Armenia, to rehabilitate and revitalize vocational high school facilities and expand vocational high school programs. The first phase of vocational high school renovations in Ararat marze, have been approved by the government's Ministry of Education and Science, and are already underway.
Yerevan, Armenia (PRWEB) December 7, 2006 -- The Anoushavan Abrahamian Education Fund (the "AAEF") has fully commenced its pilot program to revitalize Professional Technical and Secondary Professional Vocational education in Armenia. The AAEF program will include more than $5 million (USD) of targeted projects in selected Armenian schools. The program has been enthusiastically approved and welcomed by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia
"We are extremely pleased with our new school revitalization partnership with the Anoushavan Abrahamian Education Fund," said Levon Mkrtchyan, Armenia's Minister of Education and Science, "even as we work jointly with the AAEF to explore many new ideas, the AAEF has already begun their first construction efforts as well as the funding of teacher program initiatives".
The AAEF Vocational High School Revitalization Program is a pilot effort focused on ten school initiatives, one school identified in each of Armenia's ten marzes, with the exception of Yerevan. The pilot effort includes funding for reconstruction of basic school facility physical plant as well as the expansion of education program initiatives in support of teacher efforts. Some of AAEF's program focus simply on student comfort while in school, including new roofing, new heating systems, new windows, sanitary systems, and gymnasiums for physical education and fitness.
The AAEF has sought the support of the Armenian Church in structuring the implementation of its school revitalization plan. A Diocese representative of the American Church has been appointed in each marze to monitor and support AAEF's local efforts. Recently, AAEF founder Anoushavan Abrahamian met with His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, to provide a briefing on AAEF activities in Armenia, at which His Holiness offered kind words of encouragement and support. Within the U.S., the work of the Anoushavan Abrahamian Education Fund has also been recognized by the Western Diocese of The Armenian Church of North America as an important program Archbishop Hovan Derderian has noted, "may help ensure the prosperity of the Motherland."
The Anoushavan Abrahamian Education Fund seeks to enrich the lives of disadvantaged youth worldwide by providing enhanced educational opportunities, particularly in the area of vocational skills training. Some of AAEF programs are focused specifically on improving trade skill education for rural youth that will increase their opportunities for satisfying employment.
In Armenia, AAEF's program seeks to reduce poverty and unemployment, and to stem the flow of youth migration from Armenia's rural towns and villages due to a lack of job skills that match available local job opportunities. The Anoushavan Abrahamian Education Fund program for Armenian vocational high schools is a permanent commitment to those schools selected for the AAEF program.
The AAEF also plans a Social Fund to provide textbooks and other learning materials for needy children and families, as well as after-school programs for arts, culture, and sports. A Scholarship Fund is also envisioned to support gifted students in their higher education and advanced studies. The Anoushavan Abrahamian Education Fund is an independent, non-profit
non-governmental 501(c)3 organization, founded in 2004.
For more information about the Anoushavan Abrahamian Education Fund - the AAEF - please visit www.aaefund.org or call 818.866.4471 (U.S.). Armenia's Ministry of Education and Science can be reached by visiting the Ministry's website at www.edu.am. For information about this media release and related general queries, please visit www.adventurestudios.com or contact Amy Giggins at Adventure Studios Communications at 818.973.3141 (U.S.).
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