October 16, 2006

PRESS RELEASE
American University of Armenia
300 Lakeside Drive, 5th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Contact: Maggie Mead
Tel: 510-987-9125
Fax: 510-208-3576
E-mail: Maggie@auac.net
Web:

American University of Armenia Reception in Boca Raton

BOCA RATON, FL – The American University of Armenia (AUA) will be continuing
its 15th anniversary year celebrations with a fundraiser reception on
Thursday November 30, 2006, in Boca Raton, Florida. The reception will
feature University President Dr. Haroutune Armenian and Mrs. Armenian, who
recently climbed to the peak of Mt Ararat. They will meet with the community
to recall AUA’s achievements and explain the exciting opportunities and
challenges ahead.

AUA offers young Armenians graduate education equal to that of the highest
quality US university masters degree programs without ever leaving Yerevan.
Many of the more than 1528 AUA graduates today occupy positions of
leadership in Armenia’s government, judiciary, business, health care and
education sectors. Nearly 90% have remained in Armenia, attracting
investment and jobs which often require English speaking, western educated
professionals.

For many students, AUA is a chance to join the global economy and transform
Armenia to a respected regional center of learning, engagement and
leadership. By providing teaching, research, and public services, AUA in its
15th year serves Armenia and the region and provides a positive model in the
transition to a market economy and democratic governance. Moreover,
following a rigorous review process that relatively few universities can
satisfy, AUA is on track to become the first overseas academic institution
accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, more commonly
known as WASC.

Today, through the continuing generosity of organizations like the AGBU and
concerned individuals, AUA’s educational excellence is being extended across
Armenia. The Turpanjian Rural Development and Adult Education Program seeks
to expand the benefits of AUA across all of Armenia and Karabagh through a
unique economic development project that combines adult education with
direct assistance in business development. The program will have a
transforming effect on the health and well being of Armenians in many areas
previously overlooked.

AUA is now constructing a new, state of the art, academic facility, the
Paramaz Avedisian Building. To meet the growing needs of AUA’s student body
and faculty, and to reflect the increased enrollment anticipated for its new
role as an accredited American university, the Avedisian Building will add
modern classrooms, laboratories, lecture halls, conference and seminar
rooms, an auditorium, a cafe with a terrace, and even an art gallery. The
expansion will permit enrollment to more than double in critical fields of
political science and law, public health, business, engineering and computer
science, and advanced English language studies, as well as expanded academic
and professional programs and conferences. Through individual donations,
nearly $8 million has been raised of this $13 million project.

The November 30 reception will be held at 7:00 PM at Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.,
2 East Camino Real, Boca Raton, Florida 33432. The $75 admission donation
includes a catered reception. RSVPs and checks (payable to AUAC) may be sent
to attorney Paul Ghougasian, 2300 Glades Road, Suite 370 W, Boca Raton,
Florida 33431, Telephone 561-391-4700 (paul@peglaw.com). Additional
information is available from the event organizers, Manny Kouyoumdjian of
Oppenheimer at 561-416-8627 (Emmanuel.Kouyoumdjian@opco.com), or Paul
Ghougasian, P.A. Donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by
law.

Further information about the American University of Armenia is available at
its website, , or through its Oakland office at (510) 987-9452