Americans4Artsakh (AfA) is increasing its support for educational programs through the expansion of the Yervand Nersisyan scholarship program. Thanks to the generous contributions of Yervand, students from the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) who are studying at various colleges in Armenia receive monthly stipends. Launched first in 2016 with the ability to assist two students from Artsakh, the program has gradually expanded to helping seven students by 2020 and is planned to reach eight students in 2021. The contributions towards this program from Yervand Nersisyan have totaled 31,000 U.S. dollars to date.
In recognition of Yervand’s dedication to the education of young Armenians from Artsakh, Americans4Artsakh announced in 2020 that the scholarship program will be named after Yervand Nersisyan. “During these difficult albeit heroic days when our nation is engaged in the righteous struggle for protecting our motherland and the freedom of Artsakh, I see the education in general and the more particularly knowledge-based economy as a key for the prosperity of Armenians”, said Mr. Nersisyan.
Yervand Nersisyan of New York City, originally from Artsakh, is a professional in the financial industry.
Aram Vanyan
I was born in October 1999 in Stepanakert, the capital city of Artsakh. I am in my 4th year at the Information Security Department of the Information Systems and Informatics Faculty of the National Polytechnic University of Armenia.
How important is the scholarship to you?
The scholarship plays a significant role in my life as it helps concentrate on my studies without focusing on any financial difficulties.
How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?
The scholarship offers additional motivation to better study as you have an inner feeling to prove you are worth of getting it.
What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh in future?
In future I am planning to continue my further education in the IT sphere. Hope to get an appropriate job in the Republic of Armenia.
Shahine Martirosyan
I was born in October 2001 in the village of Garnaqar of Martakert region. In 2019 I became a student of the Information Technologies and Applied Mathematics department of the faculty of Natural Science at Artsakh State University. Now I am a second-year student.
How important is the scholarship to you?
When I was in my first year at University I spent my scholarship on English classes to improve my English. At present the scholarship has made it possible to rent a flat in Stepanakert.
How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?
Due to the scholarship the aspiration is increasing.
What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh in future?
In future I am planning to work as a teacher at school and at the same time as a programmer. I can imagine my future only in Artsakh. I want to contribute all my knowledge and skills to the development of the IT sphere in Artsakh.
Artur Hakobyan
I was born in August 1999 in victorious city of Stepanakert, the capital of Artsakh. I finished specialized school after A. Shahinyan Stepanakert branch in 2016. The same year I was admitted to the Design of Buildings of the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the National University of Armenia. From 2018-2020 I served in the Armed Forces of The Republic of Artsakh. After the Army I continued my education and now I am a 3rd -year student.
The importance of getting the scholarship is the fact that all my attention and efforts are paid to my studies which contributes to better studying. My profession is currently in demand to get rid of the aftermath of the war. Thus, I have decided to work in my country.
Shushanik Hayrapetyan
I was born in December 2001 in the village of Vank of Martakert region. I am a first-year student at the department of Semiconductors Physics and Microelectronics at the Institute of Information and Telecommunication Technologies and Electronics at the National Polytechnic University in Armenia.
How important is the scholarship to you?
The scholarship has given me a little bit of financial independence from my parents. I do not ask them for much money. I am not worried about money and there is no need to look for a job. Frankly speaking, I am able to work and take care of myself, but it seems really difficult being a freshman to adjust to studies at University, to a new environment and to work at the same time.
How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?
First of all, I am not worried about money and pay all my attention to my studies. Besides, I can save some money to buy a computer which will help me in my future education.
What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh in future?
The faculty, I have chosen, studies the construction of complex equipment and solar panels. Today, the scientific world goes for renewable energy and I want to join them. In future I want to deal with the construction of solar panels. In case of opportunity I would like to start producing them in Artsakh. It may seem impossible but in future I want to export solar panels from Artsakh with the label “Made in Artsakh”. I think it will lead to peace in our region. The more we export to various countries the more we benefit. I believe in our generation. I am sure there are lots of smart young people who will achieve tops due to their hard working and desire. Moreover, I like Physics very much, and I hope, I will be able to learn Quantum Physics, be in science and develop it in Artsakh.
Elen Amirjanyan
I was born in July 2001 in the village of Qarin Tak of Shushi region. Currently I am a sophomore at the Faculty of General Medicine at the Yerevan Medical University after M. Heratsi.
How important is the scholarship to you?
The scholarship covers all my education expenses.
How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?
First of all, the scholarship is an important stimulus and the fact of having it makes you feel appreciated. The absence of the scholarship makes it difficult to solve a number of financial issues.
What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh in future?
The prior thing to me is to become a good specialist and in future, being in the professional sphere, to help get rid of the deficiencies and do all the best to improve it.
Ohanyan Srbuhi
I was born in March 2002 in Stepanakert, Artsakh. In 2019 I was admitted at the Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics of Yerevan State University (math course). Now I am in my 2nd year at University.
How important is the scholarship to you?
Due to the scholarship I have had the opportunity to get qualified education at Alma Mater and live in Yerevan without bothering my parents with financial issues.
How much does the scholarship contribute to better studying?
It is commonly known that studying well is the basis of becoming a good specialist. And the scholarship motivates me to study better. Otherwise, I can lose the opportunity of getting it.
What are your future plans referring to your professional sphere? What would you like to do for Artsakh in future?
As a future mathematician I see myself in the IT sphere. My goal is to help others be involved in the sphere. And why not to become one of the donors of the foundation in the case of opportunity.
In my opinion every person has to have his or her contribution in the development of their country. Before the war I was doubting whether becoming a teacher or an IT specialist. However, as the war ended, taking into account all the events, I decided to become an IT specialist and develop Artsakh by involving too many people into the sphere. In case of opportunity I would like to have my contribution in military strategies as well.
