YSU, IDBank sign new memorandum of cooperation

Under the memorandum, 103 YSU students will receive scholarships, supporting both their academic progress and social stability.

YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan said the university has stood by students from Artsakh from the very beginning, providing support to help them continue their education and overcome social challenges.

"We reached out to friends, partners, and organizations willing to share this responsibility and contribute to shaping our students' future. Today, we are especially pleased that IDBank has joined this important initiative, making a significant contribution," he said.

Mher Abrahamyan, Chairman of the Management Board at IDBank, emphasized the bank's commitment to supporting compatriots.

"YSU conducted a needs assessment that revealed 103 students from Artsakh were at risk of interrupting their studies due to social challenges. Recognizing the importance of education, IDBank decided to cover the tuition fees for all these students. Initiatives like this allow us not only to provide financial support but also to foster a sense of stability and confidence among young people, helping them build their future in Armenia," he said, noting that these difficulties are temporary.

He further emphasized that there will always be individuals and organizations ready to support students, and most importantly, they will have the opportunity to receive high-quality education, which, in his words, is the cornerstone of a strong economy and state.

Vahe Asriyan, a student at the YSU Faculty of Economics and Management, described the period following 2023 as particularly challenging for Artsakh students, when support from compatriots living in Armenia was crucial. On behalf of himself and his fellow compatriots, he expressed gratitude, stressing that the problems and difficulties cannot be resolved in a short time and require long-term efforts. According to him, even small support significantly alleviates people's burdens.

"Returning to student life and continuing our education after 2023 was not easy—truly not easy—as we suffered many losses. However, when we arrived here and saw how willing our compatriots were to help us—from easing financial burdens to offering various educational and scientific programs—it gave us great strength. I would also like to note that in 2023, thanks to this program, I started working at the bank and have been working there for about 2.5 years now. After all this, how could I not study with great dedication, not strive to expand and develop my knowledge, so that I can repay this support many times over—to the bank, the university, and our state?" he said, adding that he is very happy to be a YSU student.

Gohar Bakhshiyan, a student at the Faculty of Armenian Philology, noted that the provision of student scholarships ensures the uninterrupted continuation of studies and serves as significant support for all. She emphasized that the current academic phase—internships and examinations—is quite demanding, as students strive to meet all obligations while also working and approaching each responsibility with diligence.

She added that tuition fees have been increasing year by year, and in such conditions, financial assistance offered by banks and other support programs is especially important in significantly easing students' educational burden.

In addition to financial support, within the framework of the memorandum, IDBank will also make an important contribution to enhancing young people's financial literacy. The bank's specialists will visit various faculties at YSU and conduct financial education courses for students. Similar sessions have already been held with first-year students of the Faculty of Economics and Management, with more planned for other faculties.