Yerevan /Mediamax/. The ceremony of awarding scholarships to 21 young people from Armenia and Artsakh who will start studying in various UWC network colleges was held in UWC Dilijan on May 24.

11 of them will be studying at UWC Dilijan, and the rest of them will go to UWC colleges in Italy, Germany, U.S., India, Canada, Singapore and the Netherlands.

All the students were granted full or partial scholarships.

The funds allocated by Ameria Group and co-founders of UWC Dilijan Ruben Vardanyan, Veronika Zonabend and Gagik Adibekyan will cover tuition fees of 11 students.

Ruben Vardanyan and Veronika Zonabend will also pay for the education of 10 students who will study abroad.

During the event, Ruben Vardanyan addressed the guests, benefactors, future students and their parents:

“2015 is a very responsible year for Armenia as we marked the Armenian Genocide Centennial this year. We remember what happened 100 years ago but the only way to respond is to be strong and successful. You are bright young people and I have no doubt that you will make success and will deserve representing Armenians and Armenia”.

“I’d like to turn to parents. Don’t expect your children come back the same people in 2 years. No, they will become more mature, stronger, smarter and more experienced”, said Head of UWC Dilijan John Puddefoot.

“All this came true owing to the efforts, experience, knowledge and love of a lot of people. The students selection process was no ordinary. It is not just a test of knowledge, but a special experience they acquired. What is more important is that everything is done with love and the people involved in the process really believe in what they do'', said Chairman of Board of Governors of UWC Dilijan Veronika Zonabend.

At the end of the event, students and leadership of the UWC Dilijan college made a surprise for Ruben Vardanyan congratulating him on his upcoming birthday.

The opening of commemorative plaques was also held in the territory of the college. UWC Dilijan co-founders and Head of the College John Puddefoot expressed gratitude to Philips General Director for Russia and CIS Arman Voskerchyan and his spouse Kristine Ter-Kazaryan for providing the medical center of the College with medical equipment

Ruben Vardanyan and Veronika Zonabend also thanked Ziyavudin Magomedov’s PERi Charitable Foundation for construction of tennis courts in the territory of UWC Dilijan.