Archbishop Hovnan Derderian awarded with YSU Gold Medal

In YSU Academic Council Session Hall, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian opened the meeting with YSU academic staff and students, including students from Nagorno-Karabakh, by leading the Lord's Prayer. Under his leadership, the Western Diocese has provided significant support to Nagorno-Karabakh students, helping to ensure the continuity of their education.

YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan mentioned that, following the forced displacement of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, many students applied to YSU to continue their studies.

"The Armenian government supported our compatriots from Nagorno-Karabakh by compensating tuition fees with an averaged scholarship. However, we faced challenges regarding the remaining tuition balance. To resolve this issue, we turned to our friends, relatives, and benefactors. The first to offer support was Archbishop Hovnan, the Primate of the Western Diocese, who expressed his willingness to help and quickly organized the compensation of tuition fees for 400 students, ensuring that no Nagorno-Karabakh student felt the financial burden. Today, we have the honor of hosting him at YSU," he said.   

Reflecting on another important collaboration—the establishment of YSU Friends Foundation—the rector emphasized that the foundation's goal is to provide continuous support to YSU students, create new opportunities for advancing education and science, and strengthen the university's ties with benefactors and partners in Armenia and around the world.  

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian is also a board member of YSU Friends Foundation. Through his active involvement, he significantly supports the foundation’s mission, helping strengthen the university's ties and implement initiatives aimed at their continuous enhancement.

"We know the journey our people have gone through, beginning with the Armenian Genocide in the early 20th century. The primary reason for our survival is that our hope has never been extinguished. With this hope, we have promised to continue our struggle, responding to the challenges of our time with 'practical prayer,' for without action, prayer loses its meaning. One such action was our commitment to supporting the students who relocated and will continue their studies here at YSU," said Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, adding that science and education are of utmost importance to every individual. 

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian has always stood by YSU, particularly the students, offering support not only in spiritual matters but also in practical areas. His ongoing commitment to the university has played a crucial role in the development of student life, the education of youth, and the formation of moral values. 

YSU Gold Medal is a token of gratitude and recognition for the activities carried out by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, which extend beyond the spiritual realm and encompass many areas of public life, including charitable programs and educational initiatives.

During the meeting, a Q&A session was held, providing attendees with the opportunity to discuss various topics and explore the importance of education, science, and patriotism.

Following the meeting, YSU rector and Archbishop Hovnan Derderian discussed several issues to strengthen cooperative ties.

The solemn ceremony, held in YSU Academic Council Session Hall, was attended by YSU vice-rectors, representatives from administrative and academic staff, and students.