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    Mike Maghakian
  • 4 years ago
    • Categories: 2021

AGBU London Trust Announces New Scholarships for Classical Armenian Studies at Oxford University

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
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PRESS RELEASE
  
Friday, January 22, 2021
  
AGBU London Trust Announces New Scholarships for Classical Armenian Studies at 
Oxford University

In keeping with its core commitment to advance Armenian education, the Armenian 
General Benevolent Union (AGBU) London Trust recently made a substantial gift to 
support a scholarship programme for graduate students pursuing a master's degree 
in Classical Armenian Studies at Oxford University. It is the leading university 
for Armenian studies in the UK and has pursued the subject since the 
mid-nineteenth century. 

By providing support for one graduate student per year for five years, the new 
scholarship programme will play a key role in helping to foster greater 
understanding of Armenian culture and heritage. The first scholarship will be 
awarded in October 2021, with the programme running through to 2026.

Scholars studying for the MSt in Classical Armenian Studies gain experience in 
reading and interpreting a wide range of Armenian texts, thus enabling them to 
develop a critical understanding of the literary culture and historical 
background of their chosen period. During their time at Oxford, students will 
have access to the Bodleian Library's unique collection of Armenian manuscripts, 
which includes a very rare copy of the first book printed in Iran: an Armenian 
Psalter from New Julfa.

The course is directed by Professor Theo Maarten van Lint, who holds the 
Calouste Gulbenkian Professorship of Armenian Studies. He says: 'Funding is an 
indispensable element in offering worthy candidates access to the Master's in 
Classical Armenian Studies. Therefore I am extremely grateful to Joseph and 
Jenny Oughourlian and the AGBU for this generous and strategic donation.' 

The creation of the AGBU London Trust Scholarship represents the next stage in 
an already fruitful partnership between the organization and Oxford, which for 
the past seven years provided financial support to Armenian students reading a 
range of subjects at the University. The new scholarship programme, which will 
be open to students from all over the world, aligns with the AGBU's mission to 
uphold Armenian heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian spheres. 

Joseph Oughourlian, AGBU London Trust Chairman and Vice-President of the AGBU 
Central Board said: 'AGBU is absolutely honoured to partner with the prestigious 
global institution that is the University of Oxford. The University's Faculty of 
Oriental Studies has been thriving for years and as the world's largest Armenian 
organization, it is a logical development for AGBU to support the faculty's MSt 
in Classical Armenian Studies. We deeply thank Professor van Lint and his team 
for allowing this cooperation to happen.'

For more information about the MSt in Classical Armenian Studies, please visit 
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/courses/mst-classical-armenian-studies__;!!LIr3w8kk_Xxm!96XmKxFeQ1wgXdmgvtnWfpaMDgOWqteJp2hQF4F4RgUpGeeGKIN-BrISN0htDw$
 

The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the world's largest non-profit 
organization devoted to upholding the Armenian heritage through educational, 
cultural and humanitarian programs. Each year, AGBU is committed to making a 
difference in the lives of 500,000 people across Armenia, Artsakh and the 
Armenian diaspora.  Since 1906, AGBU has remained true to one overarching goal: 
to create a foundation for the prosperity of all Armenians. To learn more visit 

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