November 12, 2007
For immediate release
Anahid Yeremian
P.O. Box 655, Menlo Park, CA 94026
[email protected]
650 926 4444
AESA MICHIGAN CHAPTER CELEBRATES 10 YEARS
By George Mouradian
The Armenian Engineering and Scientists of America-Michigan Section
(AESA-MI) celebrated its 10th anniversary with a sold out banquet in the
beautiful renovated hall of St. John Armenian Church in Southfield, MI on
October 27 and hosted a reception on October 28 after church. Over 260
people attended the banquet chaired by Ned Apigian and over 50 people were
present at the reception at St. John. All four Armenian Churches in the
Greater Detroit area were well represented and supported the banquet. The
keynote speakers at both events were Prof. Ashot Chilingarian, head of the
Cosmic Ray Division (CRD) of the Alikhanyan Physics Institute in Armenia,
and Mr. Ashot Kirakosyan, director of the Armenian Social Investment Fund
(ASIF).
The objective of the AESA Michigan Section is to encourage technical and
social interaction among Armenian architects, scientists and engineers in
the State of Michigan, and to foster the dissemination of knowledge in
science and engineering. Its important missions include generating and
supporting worthwhile technical projects for the economical well-being of
the Armenian homeland, to keep technical people in Armenia, and to encourage
all technically oriented Armenians to join the AESA in this purpose.
At the Anniversary banquet and at the reception after church service on
Sunday, Prof. Chilingarian as well as Mr. Kirakosyan gave a short updates
about their projects in Armenia and expressed deep gratitude to the AESA
Michigan Section members and patrons for their partnership and
corroboration. Mr. George Mouradian, president of the AESA Michigan
section, presented plaques to Prof. Chilingarian and to Mr. Kirakosyan
recognizing their achievements for Armenia and for the world. Prof.
Chilingarian presented a 10th anniversary congratulatory plaque to the
president of AESA Michigan Section.
Prof. Chilingarian explained the vital importance of the strong Diaspora and
CRD partnership that makes the internationally-recognized achievements of
the CRD possible. He expressed his deep gratitude to the Diaspora for
recognizing that science is a vital part of Armenia’s development, and that
brain drain from Armenia is a very serious issue that we must tackle
together. Hayastantsis and Diasporans have to work in partnership. At the
Sunday afternoon session, Prof. Chilingarian answered many questions from
the attendees who were very enthusiastic about the CRD achievements. Ms.
Anahid Yeremian, Stanford University Accelerator Physicist, discussed the
vital importance and undertakings of CRD. If you would like to join the
strong global team that makes it possible for the Cosmic Ray Division of
Alikhanyan Physics Institute to make a positive impact on the world from
Armenia, or if you would like to make a contribution of your finances, time,
or talent to support the CRD projects, please contact Anahid Yeremian, head
of the AESA-CRD project, at [email protected] . Also visit
for additional information.
Mr. Kirakosyan explained the importance of improving the quality of life in
the Armenian villages so that families will choose to stay there. He
invited the Diaspora visitors to venture out of Yerevan, go to the small
communities, and to explore Armenian life everywhere in the country. The
villages are the heart of Armenia, and a little goes a long way there.
Particularly effective is the World Bank’s Armenian Social Investment Fund
which builds or repairs schools, hospitals and community centers in the
villages in partnership with the community. Depending on the project, the
World Bank increases donations up to ten fold for the construction and
repair of village facilities. As an example, a donation of $10,000.00 would
be increased to $100,000.00 by the World Bank to finance the work that has
to be accomplished. Mr. Kirakosyan expressed his deep gratitude for the AESA
Michigan Section’s support to help the villagers meet their portion of the
financial obligation. For more information on the ASIF program or to
support its worthy cause with your contributions, please contact Mr. Osep
Sarafian, head of the AESA-ASIF project, at [email protected] .
The 10th anniversary celebration also included a display of the "Future
City" model which the students of the Armenian General Benevolent Union
Alex and Marie Manoogian School had built with mentorship from the AESA
Michigan section members. The Future City team won many awards for its
display in competitions with other Michigan schools. Many of the attendees
enjoyed the student presentation.
It was a weekend to remember!
–Boundary_(ID_erenBNFJnP83Sye1dM8eHQ)- –