The collaboration between the AGBU Armenian Virtual College (AVC) and the Global Scholars Diploma Program of the World Affairs Council of Austin yields its first results. In the academic year 2021-2022, a group of twenty students from Del Valle High School studied Armenian history with AVC. Six of them completed the full Armenian history program and received AVC diplomas. 
On May 18, 2022, the awards ceremony was held online, with the participation of AVC Founding President Dr. Yervant Zorian, AVC partnership and operations team manager Arpine Tavakalyan, and senior online instructor Ani Dekirmenchyan who guided students in their studies.

The AVC history course was a part of the international education and genocide awareness program, that AVC and the World Affairs Council of Austin launched together in August 2021. Since September 2021, three international schools participated in the program, introducing their students to the history of the Armenian people.

In recognition of AVC’s educational leadership role and outstanding work in helping the cause of international genocide education, Dr. Zorian was granted honorary citizenship of Austin and received awards and letters of recognition from US senator Ted Cruz, and the governors of Arizona and Michigan. Arpine Tavakalyan and Ani Dekirmenchyan also received awards in appreciation of their efforts in realizing the program.

Dr. Zorian expressed his gratitude and appreciation at the opportunity to work together towards the common goal of disseminating world history via the educational program. “Understanding, acknowledging the history and learning from it is very important. Armenian history is part of the world history, and I think the students will truly appreciate this opportunity that their high school, the World Affairs Council of Austin and the AGBU Armenian Virtual College created,” Dr. Zorian said.

He congratulated the students and welcomed them to the worldwide family of AVC e-learners.

Director of the Global Scholars Diploma Program and AVC alumnus Mike Cunningham was granted the title of AVC ambassador at large for his dedicated efforts and support of the AVC presence worldwide.