The Shahbazian Foundation was founded in 2014 by Drs. Joseph Shahbazian and Bella Margarian support direct philanthropy in Armenia's forgotten villages. Shahbazian is a physicist, medical engineer, author, inventor, and philanthropist, and Margaryan is a higher education administrator, author, inventor, and philanthropist.
After the death of their beloved brother Janson Shahbazian in 2014, they established this charitable foundation in his memory. Over the past decade, they have provided computers, scholarships, and stationery to hundreds of students in remote villages in Armenia. The founders have supported high school students in villages in the Martuni, Tavush and Ijevan regions of Armenia since the early 1990s, when he was a university student. Those students are now faculty members.
The mission of the Shahbazian Foundation is to expand educational opportunities within Armenia and the Armenian community by improving the quality of education and creating and improving academic, financial and other resources for it. They are committed to unlocking the potential of young Armenians, expanding access to resources and services, and investing in the well-being of young Armenians.
The Foundation's founders believe that education is the cornerstone of social progress and individual empowerment in today's rapidly evolving world. However, access to quality education remains difficult for many people, especially in underserved communities. In bridging this gap, the non-profit Shahbazian Foundation plays an important role, creating educational initiatives that uplift Armenia's marginalized communities, empower individuals, and foster long-term socio-educational development. I am supporting.
They target marginalized and disadvantaged groups and individuals to address systemic inequalities in access to quality education. Through remote scholarships and supplementary educational resources, the Foundation strives to ensure that all Armenian children and youth have the opportunity to learn, grow, and pursue meaningful and productive lives.
The foundation focuses on STEM programs by fostering student growth, encouraging excellence through creative learning, and fostering community and school partnerships. The foundation plans regular lectures inviting experts and scholars from all over the world for lectures and training on timely topics around Armenia.
The Foundation's Board members engage directly in the community through innovative projects that promote public welfare, generate new ideas, and spread knowledge and respect. They value responsiveness, accessibility, equity, and engagement.
One of the foundation's main strengths lies in its ability to innovate and adapt to society's diverse needs. From implementing technology-driven learning platforms to promoting experiential learning opportunities, the organization is pioneering new approaches to education that engage students and equip them with the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century. The organization helps educators hone their skills and create nurturing learning environments. Investing in teachers contributes to improving the overall quality and effectiveness of education.
Through advocacy, the foundation aims to address systemic barriers and create a more conducive learning and educational growth environment. They plan to involve the community and work with stakeholders such as parents, community leaders and businesses. They intend to build a collaborative ecosystem where everyone can play a role in the educational success of future Armenian generations.
The Shahbazyan Foundation will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2024 and is celebrating the anniversary by pledging $1 million over the next five years to reform and revitalize the science curriculum in high schools in Armenia's Martuny region. The Shahbazian Foundation is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization registered in Massachusetts.
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