The Alex Manoogian Cultural Center in Paris hosted the AGBU France scholarship recipients for a March 29 reception attended by fifty persons. Members of the AGBU Europe District Committee, in Paris for their first meeting, joined the reception and had the opportunity to meet several members of the AGBU France and Paris Committees as well as representatives of AGBU Youth and YP Paris (young professionals).
In his speech, AGBU Europe Chairman Alexis Govciyan said that “education has historically always been at the heart of AGBU actions, in part through its scholarship program that allowed, and still allows, many Armenian students to pursue studies of excellence and reach for a bright future.”
Alexis Govciyan was delighted with the quality and the rich diversity of the scholarship recipients from the 2007-2008 academic year, pointing out that “ AGBU members will always be available to guide you in your endeavors”. He added that the Cultural Center is a place to gather all Armenians.
The scholarship recipients present were introduced and asked to explain their field of studies and their involvement as volunteers for AGBU projects. Among them, Armine Shahbazyan, PhD in History at the “Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes”, will teach Armenian history to AGBU Saturday School children, using visual aids. Axel Tasciyan, business law student at Lyon III University and former participant of the AGBU Paris summer internship program, is setting up a dedicated blog for AGBU interns and scholarship recipients.
This friendly and rewarding meeting allowed students to connect with many people and to appreciate the support and the attention they receive from AGBU, and through AGBU, from the entire Armenian Community.
During this event, participants appreciated Astrig Sarkissian painting exhibit around the theme of Armenian letters, on display from March 28 to 31. The rich array of colorful canvases, mixing red, blue and orange, captivated the public interest. Astrig Sarkissian is an AGBU London scholarship recipient.
In 2007-2008, 26 students studying in France from Armenia, the Middle East and France will receive a total of 46,800 euros.