Empowering Armenia’s Next Generation: ACT College Expands Global Ties

Located in Armavir Province, ACT College is Armenia’s first Creative Technologies College, offering inclusive, innovative, and industry-aligned education in computer science, digital art, and engineering. The college’s mission is powered by strong diaspora ties and supported through generous donors, government partnerships, and global collaborations.

In an effort to expand ACT’s global ties, Amalya Yeghoyan, Executive Director of Gyumri Information Technologies Center (GITC) and founder of ACT College, visited the U.S. in late March. With stops in Chicago, New York/New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., she showcased ACT’s vision, mission, and programs to enthusiastic supporters and formalized key partnerships with businesses and organizations, laying the foundation for Armenia’s students.

Chicago: Unifying Vision and Purpose

In a heartfelt gathering at St. James of Nisibis Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Evanston, Illinois, Amalya met with members of the Armenian American community at a special fundraising event dedicated to the future of education and innovation in Armenia.

The event underscored unity, purpose, and vision. Alongside generous contributions from attendees, ACT proudly announced that several classrooms and labs at ACT College will be named in honor of long-term donors.

“Your belief in ACT is not just inspiring — it’s transformative,” Amalya told the assembled crowd. “Every donor, every supporter, becomes part of our students’ journey. We are doing more than just shaping the infrastructure for the next generation of Armenian talent — we are building futures.”

FAR extends deep gratitude to Mr. Oscar Tatossian, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia in Chicago, and Mr. Paruir Sarkisian for organizing this unforgettable evening and to Der Hovhan for providing spiritual guidance, giving the gathering true depth and meaning.

Key Partnership with ServiceNow Announced

While in Chicago, ACT also announced a key milestone: a partnership agreement with cloud-based software company ServiceNow. Formalized on March 25, this agreement will provide ACT College students with access to world-class technology training and career pathways in cloud computing and digital workflow development.

Shelly Holt, VP and Learning Business Partner, and Geoffrey Browning, Director, Global Government Affairs and Public Policy, hosted representatives of ACT and the Chicago Armenian community, including Oscar Tatosian, Nick Bazarian, Vartan Paylan, and Paruir Sarkisyan, for the official signing ceremony at the ServiceNow Chicago office.

“We are very excited for the Spring launch of this new college in Armenia and to provide its students with skilling opportunities through ServiceNow University this coming Fall,” Ms. Holt said. “Amalya’s visit highlights the growing global demand for ServiceNow talent, and we are delighted for this opportunity to collaborate.”

Washington, D.C.: Establishing a Global STEM Conference

In the nation’s capital, the ACT delegation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EXPLR Media to bring a high-impact STEM-focused conference to Armenia in 2026. EXPLR PBC Inc. is a global leader in STEM education, renowned for producing high-quality educational content and organizing impactful events that engage and inspire youth worldwide.

The conference, hosted by ACT College, will be Armenia’s first large-scale international STEM conference, featuring keynote speeches, workshops with global STEM leaders, hands-on learning experiences, networking, and career-building opportunities for students and young professionals.

This MoU follows strategic discussions led by Narek Mkrtchyan, Armenia’s Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and ACT-College Board Chairman. The signing ceremony, held at the Embassy of Armenia to the United States, featured a keynote speech from Ambassador Lilit Makunts, who emphasized the transformative impact of international cooperation in STEM education.

“This agreement represents a significant step in strengthening Armenia’s educational and technological capacity,” said Ambassador Makunts. “Through this partnership, Armenia is positioning itself as a regional leader in STEM education and innovation.”

New York/New Jersey: Raising Awareness and Support

The final stop in the U.S. was the metro New York and New Jersey area where we had the opportunity to meet with some of our most vibrant supporters and promote ACT in both the business and academic audiences with visits to the NYSE and Columbia University.

Talking Technology and Training with NYSE Live TV

In an effort to raise awareness and support for ACT College, Amalya Yeghoyan visited the New York Stock Exchange, where she  reconnected with and was interviewed live by NYSE TV Live anchor Kristen Scholer. The discussion centered on why a skills-based approach to higher education is key to Armenia’s integration into the global economy. Amayla first met the anchor in March 2024, after her address at the United Nations about the importance of tech training to help women earn wages and support their families. See that interview here: Amalya shines light on #WomenInTech: Exclusive interview with Cheddar (farusa.org)

With more than 10 million views per month, NYSE TV Live provides real-time coverage of financial and business trends across all major streaming platforms, including AppleTV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, and Roku.

Topics included Armenia’s role in the global workforce, the impact of AI on future careers, and the growing demand for job-ready professionals in digital art, computer science, engineering, and manufacturing.

“Armenia is already developing in technology, and we have many technological companies and startups,” Amalya told Scholer. “There is a high demand for skilled young professionals ready for future careers, not just for now, but long-term. This is the goal of our three departments at ACT College: Digital Art, Computer Science, and Engineering & Manufacturing.”

You can watch Amalia’s interview here: https://youtu.be/VhaY4XRSSRM and look for her later this month on the Armenian Radio Hour and other podcasts.

Collaboration with Columbia University

While in New York, GITC also formalized and announced an upcoming collaboration with Columbia University, which will include joint programs, exchange opportunities, and curriculum development. This initiative was first sparked by FAR board member Armen Avanessians. 

“I am ecstatic that  Colombia has confirmed  their readiness to collaborate with ACT on its mission to offer a  licensed college education, empowering the next generation of Armenian youth in computer science, digital art, and engineering. Through this partnership, Armenian students will have access to Columbia’s SHAPE summer program, semester-based visiting scholar opportunities, and even support for competitive undergraduate admissions and I couldn’t be more excited to see the success of this collaboration,” remarked Avanessians.

Community Support at St. Leon Armenian Church, Fairlawn, NJ

At the gracious invitation of ACT supporters and  Armenian community leaders Lisa Boyajian and Dawn Hourdajian, members of ACT College delegation, were introduced to the New Jersey Armenian community at a reception at St. Leon Armenian Church in Fairlawn, New Jersey.

It was an inspiring evening where the vision and mission of ACT College were introduced as a beacon of innovation, inclusion, and opportunity for Armenian youth. The gathering brought together Armenian Relief Board members, GITC Board members, dedicated donors, and passionate supporters from the New York and New Jersey diaspora communities.

Dennis Tarzian, FAR board member and longtime supporter of GITC, remarked, “ On the behalf of FAR, I along with other board members  laud Amalya’s trailblazing efforts and recognize her as a true changemaker who is tirelessly  driving impactful collaborations between the private sector, government, and international organizations.”

Special thanks to Ayo! Program Director Sarah Stites, Lisa Boyajian, and Dawn Hourdajian for making this impactful gathering possible, and to Der Tiran for his blessings.

Join Us in Supporting ACT College

The vision of ACT College has been brought to life by the passion and hard work of Amalya and the GITC and Fund for Armenian Relief Team. Its future success is made possible through the generosity of our supporters, partners, and community members worldwide. As we continue to build an innovative and inclusive future for Armenia’s students, we invite you to join us in this transformative journey.

Your support helps us provide cutting-edge education, create global opportunities, and empower the next generation of Armenian talent.

To learn more, contribute, or get involved, please visit here.