Dear Veterans of Armenia,

My name is Narek and I am honored to be one of this year’s recipients of the Veterans of Armenia Scholarship. When I received the email about being awarded a tuition assistance scholarship, at first I was shocked. It was unexpected. I felt that I was not alone and experienced what the main quote of your foundation says “No Soldier Left Behind”. This is an excellent opportunity to thank you for your generosity, but before that, I would like to tell you a brief story about me.

I am from Hrazdan and my first steps in education were in the school in my hometown. Since that time, the most attractive course for me was mathematics. I enjoyed solving problems and the skills gained made me fall in love with this great sphere. Years later, I was admitted to Ayb School, where I learned about Data Science. It was the exact profession for me that could ever exist. I was struggling to get into the AUA’s Data Science faculty. Fortunately, the goal was achieved, and the only thing separating me from my perfect future was the fact that I had to serve in the army. I started my military service and just 85 days after I was injured during the Artsakh second war. Could you imagine it? The profession I adored was working against me, against my friends, against my country. Azerbaijan air forces used Data Science to make combat aerial vehicles that gave them a victory. Why not intensify the Armenian defense forces by artificial intelligence and earn our safety without expecting help from other countries? This question made me create a goal for solving that problem.

On the other hand, I can use my profession to develop other spheres like economics and increase the quality level of life in my country. Is there a problem related to transportation? It is not a problem anymore. Artificial intelligence will find the best ways to overcome traffic jams or parking space shortages. Now it is possible. Do you know why? Since you gave me an opportunity to study and become the professional I wished to be.

Thank you for your support. I promise to do my best to satisfy your expectations. I am truly grateful for your encouragement. Thank you again, and I look forward to meeting with you.

Sincerely,
Narek Nurijanyan, BS in Data Science, class of 2026