VIVACELL-MTS CEO VISITS PILIBOS ARMENIAN SCHOOL

Asbarez
Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
LOS ANGELES

Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School welcomed VivaCell-MTS CEO Ralph
Yirikian on April 15. VivaCell-MTS is the largest mobile phone operator
in Armenia.

Yirikian was visiting the United States with the purpose of meeting
Armenian school and university students. VivaCell-MTS is planning
to expand its corporate responsibility programs outside Republic of
Armenia. Yirikian and his staff members were warmly welcomed to the
campus by Principal Nazo Apanian. Prior to meeting students, Yirikian
was briefed about the school by Apanian during which various facets
of the school were discussed and ideas were exchanged. Accompanying
Yirikian during his visit was the Chairman of Armenia Fund U.S.

Western Region Ara Aghishian and the Fund staff members.

The school had organized a student assembly meeting with Yirikian.

Before engaging on a question and answer session with students,
Yirikian spoke about his experience of moving to the Homeland and
setting up a mobile phone company. In addition, he stressed the
importance of not only maintaining one’s Armenian identity, but also
strengthening it. He called all students to further energize their
activism and continue working towards the betterment of Armenia
and Artsakh.

Principal Apanian thanked Yirikian for taking the time to visit
Pilibos. He noted that Yirikian’s exemplary story will inspire
students to expand their horizons and always strive to the top with
their strong and growing Armenian identities.

"Part of our expanding programs here at Pilibos is to make sure
that students go beyond textbooks and classrooms through interactive
meetings with special guests like Yirikian. This allows our students
to interact, challenge, and engage with individuals who have achieved
milestones across the globe," stated Apanian.

In addition to meeting with the Principal and the students, Yirikian
and his team toured the campus, including the Pilibos Ark Library
and Gymnasium. Yirikian and his team thanked the school and Apanian
for the warm welcome.