Shahbazian Foundation empowering future of education in Armenia

The Shahbazian Foundation was founded in 2014 by Drs. Joseph Shahbazian and Bella Margarian and supports direct charitable activities in forgotten villages of Armenia. Shahbazian is a physicist, medical engineer, author, inventor and philanthropist, and Margarian is a higher education administrator, author, inventor and philanthropist.

Shahbazian Foundation founders, Prof. Joseph Shahbazian and Dr. Bella Margarian

After the passing of their beloved brother Janson Shahbazian in 2014, they established this charitable foundation in his memory. For the past decade, they have supported hundreds of students in remote villages of Armenia with computers, scholarships and stationery. The founders supported students from high schools in villages in the Martuni, Tavush and Ijevan regions of Armenia starting in the early 1990s while they were university students. Now, those students have become teachers and staff.

The mission of the Shahbazian Foundation is to enhance the quality of education and expand educational opportunities within Armenia and the Armenian community by creating and improving academic, financial and other resources for such purposes. They are committed to unlocking the potential of young Armenians, expanding access to resources and services and investing in the well-being of young Armenians.

The founders of the foundation believe education is the cornerstone for societal progress and individual empowerment in today’s rapidly evolving world. However, access to quality education remains challenging for many, particularly in underserved communities. In bridging this gap, the nonprofit Shahbazian Foundation plays an important role, championing educational initiatives that uplift marginalized communities in Armenia, empower individuals and foster long-term socio-educational development.

2022-23 Shahbazian Foundation scholarship recipients during an excursion in Yerevan

They target marginalized and underprivileged groups and individuals to address systemic inequalities in access to quality education. Whether through scholarships in remote areas or supplementary educational resources, the foundation strives to ensure that every Armenian child and youngster has the opportunity to learn, thrive and pursue a meaningful, productive life.

The foundation focuses on STEM programs by facilitating student development, encouraging excellence through creative learning and promoting community/school partnerships. The foundation plans periodic lectures by inviting professionals and academicians worldwide for lectures and training on timely topics around Armenia.

The foundation board members are directly involved in the community through innovative projects that advance public well-being, spark new ideas and spread knowledge and respect. They are committed to responsiveness, accessibility, fairness and involvement.

One of the key strengths of this foundation lies in its ability to innovate and adapt to the diverse needs of society. From implementing technology-driven learning platforms to promoting experiential learning opportunities, the organization pioneers new educational approaches that engage students and equip them with the skills needed to succeed in the 21st century. The organization supports educators in honing their skills and creating nurturing learning environments. Investing in teachers contributes to the overall enhancement of educational quality and effectiveness.

Mary Ghazarian Gurunian lecture at Northern University in Yerevan

The foundation seeks to address systemic barriers and create a more conducive learning and educational growth environment through advocacy efforts. They plan to involve the community and partner with stakeholders, including parents, community leaders and businesses. They intend to create a collaborative ecosystem where everyone has a stake in the educational success of future Armenian generations.

The Shahbazian Foundation marks its 10th anniversary in 2024, and they are celebrating the anniversary with a commitment of a $1 million budget for the next five years to reform and rejuvenate the science curriculum in high schools of the Martuni region in Armenia. The Shahbazian Foundation is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization registered in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Shahbazian Foundation can be followed, reached, supported, collaborated with, learned from, engaged with, advocated for and celebrated by following them on Facebook: Shahbazian Foundation and Shahbazian Foundations, Linkedin: Shahbazian Foundation.