Albert Melik Ghassemian Donates $234,000 to AEF
GLENDALE, Calif.—The Armenian Educational foundation (AEF) is pleased to announce that Dr. Albert Melik Ghassemian of Boston recently donated $34,000 to fund the renovation of two Artsakh village schools, and $200,000 to help fund the renovation of the Artsakh State University dormitory.
On May 10, Artsakh State University students and faculty celebrated the opening of the renovated dormitory building. In attendance were Artsakh government officials, AEF Board members, and the generous benefactor of the project, Ghassemian.
Ghassemian’s contribution allowed the 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 helped provide the furnishings for each room, along with 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 renowned cardiologist and a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board at the 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 explained that the renovation project was dear to his heart because his grandparents were born in Artsakh, and 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 project raises the total number of renovated schools in Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk by the AEF to over 177 schools.
The AEF spends 100 percent of the funds received by its donors towards the project being sponsored. “We are very grateful to Dr. Ghassemian for his very generous donation,” said AEF President Hermineh Pakhanians. “It is because of the generosity of individuals like Dr. Ghassemian that the AEF has for over 61 years been able to provide financial assistance to Armenian students and educational institutions.”
In 2011, AEF allocated over $445,000 for numerous educational projects including the renovation of schools, scholarships, computers and school supplies to village schools in Armenia and Artsakh.
For more information or to make a donation, contact the AEF office by calling (818)
242-4154 or e-mailing aef@aefweb.org; or visit www.aefweb.org.
