On July 12, 2019, His Holiness Aram I met with the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at the American University of Beirut (AUB), Dr. Nadia El Cheikh, and Dr. Ohannes Geukjian, from AUB’s Department of Political Studies and Public Administration, to discuss the establishment of a $1 million endowed fund for Armenian studies at AUB. Proceeds from the endowed fund would support a number of activities at the university including the teaching of courses on particular Armenian topics, as well as lectures, symposia, and research and publications. His Holiness, who was himself a student at the American University of Beirut, expressed his strong support for the initiative noting the importance of the Armenian community, its historic role in Lebanon, and AUB’s regional and international prestige. “I appeal to the Armenian community to join me in supporting this important initiative at AUB,” he said.