AJF & THE ARMENIAN GEMOLOGICAL ACADEMY & LABORATORY ESTABLISH A SCHOLARSHIP FOR DIAMOND GRADING CERTIFICATE STUDENTS
AJF launched its pilot scholarships program this fall thanks to an agreement signed with the Armenian Gemological Laboratory and Academy (AGLA) to fund gemological training for young Armenian students. The following five students representing various communitites were selected:
1) Alexan Kaplanian, an expatriate from Syria
2) Andranik Chilingaryan, a Tavush border village resident
3) Emma Muradian, an expatriate from Iraq
4) Hovhannes Shatvoryan, a Gyumri resident
5) Garabet Mazloumian, a Diasporan repatriate
AJF’s scholarship students have completed their intensive theoretical course, as well as their practical hands-on grading training. They will become certified Diamond Grading Experts in Decemebr 2014.
The following co-sponsored the AJF pilot scholarships program in 2014:
Canadian Jewellers Association Armenian Jewellers Association Montreal Armenian Jewellers Association Ontario Invessa Financial Services AJF Chairman |
Mr. Pierre Akkelian, member of the Patrons Club Ms. Taline Avakian, and AJF Strategic Development Director Hratch Kaspar visited the students in October 2014 to get acquainted with them and observe their training. To complement the learning curriculum, also, renowned art historian and Emeritus Professor Dr. Dickran Kouymjian of Fresno Sate University, accompanied by the Armenian National Institute’s Dr. Rouben Adalian were invited to AGLA speak about historical Armenian jewellery artifacts.
“We are very pleased to launch our scholarship program available to Armenian candidates living both in the homeland and the Diaspora,” says the AJF Trustee in charge of scholarships Aram Shishmanian. “Parallel to our research of the past, we are looking into ways to promote the next generation of internationally renown Armenian jewellery designers, gemologists and jewellery crafters.”
“I have known Artur Zanginyan, GIA Graduate Gemologist, for many years, and have admired his dedication to the field of gemology,” said former Gemological Institute of America President and AJF Trustee Bill Boyajian. “Artur established the ZANG laboratory in Yerevan in 1997, and launched his academic program in 2001 through the AGLA. He is the ideal person to partner with AJF in providing scholarships to deserving Armenian students.”
With further support from patrons, AJF’s scholarship program will continue and expand in 2015. Ten new students will be selected and sponsored at AGLA. Opportunities at leading international design and gemological schools will also be explored.