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    Headshot of Dr. Yervant Zorian
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    City of Santa Clara Decree for Yervant Zorian Day

AGBU Board Member Yervant Zorian Proclaimed Founding Father of Virtual Learning by City of Santa Clara

It is important to recognize the future role virtual learning will play in society and the impact that the founding fathers like Dr. Zorian played in this educational revolution.

September 1st has been designated by the mayor of Santa Clara California as "Dr. Yervant Zorian Day" in recognition of the pioneering scientist and educator’s outstanding achievements in the field of virtual learning. 

Today over 39,000 students all over the world have and are taking classes through the AGBU Armenian Virtual College (AVC), the brainchild of Dr. Zorian who brought the concept to fruition 15 years ago. 

In Mayor Lisa M. Gillmor’s official proclamation delivered on September 1, 2022 — to coincide with an Armenian holiday in celebration of Knowledge and Education — she stated, “It is important to recognize the future role virtual learning will play in society and the impact that the founding fathers like Dr. Zorian played in this educational revolution.”

Upon hearing the news of the proclamation, AGBU President Berge Setrakian extended congratulatory remarks on behalf of the entire AGBU central board and membership, saying, “I am sure I speak for all Armenians across the globe who hold Dr. Zorian in such high esteem when I say that we couldn’t be prouder to see how his fellow citizens and residents of the city of Santa Clara are also recognizing this extraordinary man of myriad gifts and talents. A first-generation Armenian-American, he has combined his scientific and technological genius with his passion for Armenian language, history, and culture. He is a visionary who invented a global learning platform in multiple languages that makes it possible for Armenians in any location, age group, and background to partake in the riches of our national inheritance and thereby unite globally through a shared learning experience. The long list of his contributions to modern Armenian life is astounding, especially so when you consider the enormous demands of his time and energy in his professional career."

Dr. Zorian is Chief Architect and Fellow at Synopsys, a 4+billion international technology company headquartered in Silicon Valley. He is also president of Synopsys Armenia, leading the boom in that country's tech sector. 

President Setrakian went on to note that Dr. Zorian is also the catalyst behind other AGBU initiatives in the fields of education, culture and nation-building, citing such programs as AGBU Virtual Bridge Accelerator and Atlas by AGBU as well as hybrid teaching platforms for online and traditional learning environments. He has also produced eBooks for tourism to Armenia's regions and even went so far as to organize AGBU Young Professionals groups in Silicon Valley and Seoul, South Korea where a growing number of Armenians have found positions in high tech companies. 

"Thank you Yervant for all you have done to enrich the Armenian experience and the AGBU legacy," said President Setrakian, adding, "And knowing you as well as we do, from your futuristic perspective you're just getting started." 

September 12, 2022