5th award ceremony of "Golden Seeds: Educational Awards for Respect and Gratitude" program at YSU

Since 2021, YSU Charles Aznavour Cultural Center and HaySanta Charitable Foundation have been running the "Golden Seeds: Educational Awards for Respect and Gratitude" program, which aims to honor the memory of heroes killed in the 44-day Artsakh war while encouraging students and fostering advancements in education and science.

During the award ceremony, 19 students from six YSU faculties (Faculties of Oriental Studies, Informatics and Applied Mathematics, Armenian Philology, Journalism, History, Institute of Physics) received monetary awards and certificates․ The students presented their scientific and educational successes paying tribute to the memory of the heroes who sacrificed for their homeland.

Mikayel Hovhannisyan, Vice-Rector for Development and Innovation at YSU, referred to the importance of the initiative, noting: "We feel profound 'obligation' to associate the names of our fallen heroes with the brightness and beauty. This initiative is one of the most important ways to keep their memory alive. Through such programs, we express gratitude to our immortal heroes who devoted their lives to the homeland. I believe the students receiving these awards understand the great responsibility and significant mission accompanying this recognition."

Karine Davtyan, Director of the YSU Charles Aznavour Cultural Center, highlighted the distinctive format chosen for the event. Collaborating with Armine Petrosyan, Director of the HaySanta Charitable Foundation, they opted for this format to enhance direct engagement.

"This time we decided to hold heartfelt conversations around the tea table, sharing interesting stories, 'reviving' the fallen heroes with our memories," said Karine Davtyan. 

Speaking about the creation of the program and cooperation with YSU, Armine Petrosyan, Director of the HaySanta Charitable Foundation, pointed out that the competition winners were chosen by the faculty committees. The selection process considered candidates' applications, interview outcomes, and motivational letters.

"Young people who completed their journey on earth have set high standards for us. They are our golden seeds, whose ideas and work will 'sprout' through the talented young minds honored with these awards. Every year, the number of awards increases, and the heroes 'return' to the university to educate the new generation by their example. The students who received awards named after our heroes are young people who demonstrate excellence in their studies and endeavors, exhibit innovative thinking, and show strong civic commitment," said Armine Petrosyan.

She highlighted that the program commenced with the Educational Award for Gratitude named after Erik Gevorgyan, followed by awards named after Vachagan Manukyan, Vardan Amalyan, Vahagn Tumasyan, Ruben Hambardzumyan, Davit Yakovlev, and later included awards honoring Yazidi heroes.

"It is very important to connect the memory of young university students who sacrificed for the homeland with the idea of ​​educational progress, encouraging gifted university students and appreciating their educational achievements," the director emphasized. 

During the award ceremony, the Institute of Physics students received educational awards named after Erik Gevorgyan, the Faculty of Armenian Philology students received educational awards named after Vardan Amalyan, the Faculty of Informatics and Applied Mathematics students received educational awards named after Ruben Hambardzumyan, the Faculty of History students received educational awards named after Vahagn Tumasyan, the Faculty of Journalism students received educational awards named after Vachagan Manukyan, Faculty of Oriental Studies students received educational awards dedicated to the memory of Yazidi heroes. 

At the 5th award ceremony of the "Golden Seeds: Educational Awards for Respect and Gratitude" program, parents of heroes who sacrificed their lives in the 44-day war, along with students who received educational awards, faculty members, and guests, were in attendance.