“Hi, I am representing the U.S. Government in Armenia”, said the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern, as he exchanged a few words with Karmoon Khoo, a Singaporean girl from Australia, who has been learning Armenian at AVC for several months. John Heffern visited Armenian Virtual College on the 24th of November. The meeting was held in a non-official and warm atmosphere. Founder and President of AVC Yervant Zorian, Academic Director Hasmik Khalapyan, and Administrative Director Anna Yengibaryan introduced AVC’s mission, the adopted teaching and technology methods, programs, as well as the latest innovative initiatives to Mr. Heffern. Dr. Yervant Zorian also presented remarkable figures, which included the age and geographic distribution of students, demonstrating that about 22 percent of students are from the United States, and 60 percent of them are under the age of 40. In response to Mr. Heffern’s questions concerning the student’s face-to-face time with each other, as well as student-teacher communication, Dr. Yervant Zorian presented AVC’s social tours, which provide the opportunity for students to visit museums, historical and cultural places in Armenia, walk in the streets of Yerevan, as well as participate in various socio-cultural events. John Heffern inquired about the certificate and Master’s Degree programs, as well as the online and hybrid (blended) methods of teaching offered by AVC, indicating the Embassy’s interest towards the massive online open courses (MOOC). He stated that the cooperation and collaboration of the two organizations will be mutually beneficial. The AVC Multimedia e-Book series were also discussed during the meeting. The U.S. Ambassador was impressed by AVC’s educational program. “On November 24, I had the pleasure to visit the offices of the Armenian Virtual College. This AGBU-sponsored educational effort helps inform Armenians all over the world and keeps them connected to the Republic of Armenia, their language, culture and religion. I was impressed by the breadth and depth of the courses offered by AVC and will look for opportunities to work together in the months ahead”, said Mr. Heffern after his visit. To remain in constant touch with AVC, the Ambassador became AVC’s follower on Twitter.