Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, has been awarded the Gold Medal of Yerevan State University (YSU) for his fruitful public activities, effective collaboration with the university, charitable contributions, significant support, and unwavering dedication.

In the meeting hall of the YSU Academic Council, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian opened a gathering with YSU lecturers and students—including students from Artsakh—with the Lord’s Prayer. Under his leadership, the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church has provided substantial assistance to Artsakh students, contributing to the continuity of their education.

YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan noted that, due to the forced displacement of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, many Artsakh students applied to YSU to continue their studies.

“The Government of the Republic of Armenia supported our Artsakh compatriots by covering their tuition fees with an average scholarship amount. However, afterward, we faced challenges related to the remaining portion of the tuition fees. To address this issue, we turned to our friends, relatives, and benefactors, and the first among them was Archbishop Hovnan, the Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America. He expressed his readiness to provide support and quickly organized the compensation of tuition fees for 400 students, ensuring that no Artsakh student felt the burden of those costs. Today, we have the honor of hosting him at YSU,” he said.

Speaking about another significant collaboration—the establishment and future activities of the “Friends of YSU” Foundation—Rector Hovhannisyan emphasized that the foundation aims to provide ongoing support to YSU students, create new opportunities for the development of education and science, and strengthen the university’s ties with benefactors and partners operating in various parts of Armenia and the world.

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian is also a member of the board of the “YSU Friends” Foundation. Through his participation and active involvement, he greatly supports the foundation’s mission, contributing to the strengthening of ties with the university and the realization of initiatives aimed at its continuous development.

“We know the path our people have traveled, starting from the beginning of the 20th century with the Armenian Genocide. The primary reason our people have survived to this day is that hope has never faded within us. With that hope, we have promised to continue our struggle and respond to all the challenges of our time with ‘practical prayer,’ because prayer without action loses its meaning. One of those steps was addressing the question of how we could support the students who have relocated and will continue their education here at YSU,” said Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, adding that science and education are extremely important for every individual.

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian has consistently stood by YSU, particularly its students, providing support not only in spiritual matters but also in practical areas. His ongoing assistance has been pivotal in the development of student life, the education of young people, and the formation of moral values.

The YSU Gold Medal is a testament to the gratitude and appreciation for the work carried out by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, which extends beyond the spiritual realm to encompass numerous aspects of public life, including charitable programs, educational initiatives, and more.

During the meeting, a question-and-answer session took place, allowing attendees to discuss various topics, including the importance of education, science, and patriotism.

Following the meeting, YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan and Archbishop Hovnan Derderian discussed several issues aimed at strengthening cooperative ties.

It should be noted that the solemn ceremony held in the YSU Academic Council meeting hall was attended by YSU vice-rectors, representatives of the administrative staff, lecturers, and students.