AGBU’s Armenian Virtual College Introduces Free Chess Course for Fall 2013 Semester

Enrollment Deadline Quickly Approaching

The AGBU Armenian Virtual College (AVC) is excited to announce the launch of its newest program, a completely free chess course developed in collaboration with the Armenian Chess Federation. Designed by world-famous chess players for students of all levels and ages, the class is the latest addition to AVC’s diverse course catalogue. The deadline to enroll in the chess course and all AVC classes in Armenian language, history and culture for the fall term is Sunday, September 15.

The newly unveiled chess course improves students’ concentration, creativity, and strategic thinking by relying on the latest technologies and e-learning practices. Describing the program, AVC founder and AGBU Central Board member Dr. Yervant Zorian stated, “AVC’s online experience in multimedia techniques has been utilized to make the classes visually attractive, grab participants’ attention, and make the learning process fun and enjoyable.” Lessons incorporate the expertise of award-winning Armenian chess champions, with step-by-step instruction offered by chess grandmasters at each of the courses’ basic, intermediate and advanced levels.

AVC’s latest addition has been met with praise by international chess professionals. During the World Chess Federation’s Presidential Board meeting, which was hosted in Armenia in January, Armenian Chess Federation Vice President Smbat Lputyan applauded the AVC model. “To achieve greater results, jointly with AGBU, we started developing online chess courses,” he remarked. “Leveraging the online teaching experience of the Armenian Virtual College, we recorded admirable achievements by targeting different age groups, from children to adults, using varying teaching methods”

The course will also help advance Armenia’s Ministry of Education’s mission to promote chess among public school students. In 2011, the ministry mandated chess in schools’ curriculum to help the country maintain its status as home of the world’s top-ranking players. At the January meeting, World Chess Federation President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov emphasized the important place that Armenia holds in the global chess scene, crediting its educational initiatives. The AVC chess program is open to all students in Armenia and internationally.

The AVC fall term will run from October 7 – December 10, 2013. 

To register for the AVC chess course and other AVC classes today, email enrollment@avc-agbu.org. Or, visit the AVC portal at www.avc-agbu.org to create your login and submit your enrollment application.

The chess course is offered free of charge. Standard rates apply for all other AVC courses.

AGBU’s Armenian Virtual College (AVC) is the world’s first accredited distance learning program that aims to facilitate Armenian studies through new technologies.  Courses in Armenian language, history, and culture, are offered in seven languages of instruction: Western and Eastern Armenian, English, French, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish. Launched in 2009, AVC classes are open to anyone who is interested in Armenian studies, delivering a virtual classroom to students who do not have access to traditional, face-to-face Armenian educational programs, while supplementing the curriculum of those who do. Lessons are tailored to each student’s individual needs—regardless of their age, country of residence or knowledge level—to ensure that all can benefit from this unique resource.  To date, more than 2,700 students have enrolled from over 60 countries, offering an Armenian education—anytime, anywhere!