In May 2019, AVC Founding President Dr. Yervant Zorian visited the Armenian communities in Australia. During lectures held in the AGBU centers in Melbourne and Sydney and entitled “Redefining Education in the Global Age,” Dr. Zorian spoke about how technology has changed the traditional approach to education. He presented the AGBU alternative education initiatives and concentrated particularly on the AGBU Armenian Virtual College as a unique learning platform that creates educational opportunities for anyone, regardless of their location, age or knowledge level, and combines quality education with a flexible study schedule. AVC’s hybrid program offers a diverse set of educational resources and technological tools to Armenian schools and community groups.

At the meeting with the newly elected Premier of New South Wales, Gladys Berejiklian, Dr. Zorian passed along the congratulations of the AGBU Central Board in the occasion of her recent election and discussed the global programs of AGBU and particularly AVC. While familiar with the AGBU mission and activities, the Premier expressed her interest in today’s global initiative and successful youth programs.

In Sydney, Dr. Zorian visited the AGBU Alex Manoogian Saturday School - one of AVC’s hybrid schools - and participated in their first Armenian language class of the term and witnessed the proactive use of AVC platform by the young students of the Saturday school. Dr. Zorian also visited the AGBU Alexander Daily School, met with the Primate of the Diocese, Archibishop Haigazoun Najarian, and Vicar General, Nishan Basmajian. He also met various AGBU committees and youth groups and gave interviews to Radio Dziadzan and AGBU Myoutiun.

“It really was a pleasure to have the opportunity to be enlightened about AVC. I will definitely get familiar with the program. I also look forward to get into the program with my students,” said Seta Keoshgerian, principal of the AGBU Alexander School.

Kevork Krozian wrote to Dr. Zorian. “My congratulations on your amazing work with the AVC. As a teacher of Information Technology, Digital Technologies leader in schools for many years, author of the Armenian Senior High School course in Victoria Australia since 1998 and chief assessor of Armenian in Victoria, I look forward to staying in touch with developments in Armenian Education in bilingual communities.”

The two AGBU chapter chairs, Mihran Lepejian of Sydney and Maral Tchorbadjian of Melbourne have organized an excellent program to fully leverage Dr. Zorian’s short visit to both communities.