The Zaven P. & Sonia Akian College of Science & Engineering (ACSE) is one of the founding colleges of the American University of Armenia (AUA). Established in 1991 as the College of Engineering, it was the Universityā€™s first college and launched with graduate programs in earthquake engineering (EE) as well as industrial engineering and systems management (IESM).
The initial earthquake engineering program developed in response to the 1988 Spitak Earthquake laid the foundation for engineering education at AUA. As national and international needs evolved, this program was later phased out, while IESM expanded into a broader systems-oriented discipline focused on optimization, decision-making, and complex systems. The College subsequently evolved into the Akian College of Science & Engineering (ACSE), reflecting its growing scope across computing, data, and interdisciplinary technologies.
Over the past three decades, ACSE has transformed from a graduate-focused unit into a comprehensive academic hub. Today, it offers graduate programs in Computer & Information Science (CIS) and Industrial Engineering & Systems Management (IESM), alongside undergraduate degrees in Computer Science, Engineering Sciences, Data Science, and Environmental & Sustainability Sciences. The introduction of undergraduate programs marked a major milestone in the Collegeā€™s expansion and long-term institutional development.
ACSE is now one of the largest and fastest-growing colleges at AUA, contributing significantly to the Universityā€™s student body of over 2,800 students, with a substantial share enrolled in science and engineering fields. This growth reflects both increasing demand for STEM education in Armenia and the Collegeā€™s strong reputation for academic quality and career outcomes.
Research and innovation are central to ACSEā€™s mission. Through the Engineering Research Center (ERC), established alongside the Collegeā€™s early development, ACSE conducts applied, interdisciplinary research aligned with Armeniaā€™s technological priorities. Scholarship and innovation spans artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, environmental systems, biomedical applications, and digital heritage. The ERC also serves as a platform for collaboration among faculty, students, and international partners, linking research with industry needs and public-sector challenges. The college 's broader research and teaching infrastructure includes a diverse set of specialized laboratories that support both education and applied research. These include the Biology Research Laboratory, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Cybersecurity Laboratory, Electrical Engineering Laboratory, Fabrication Laboratory, Smart Materials and Structures Laboratory, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) club. Together, these facilities enable experimentation across disciplines while supporting project-based learning and innovation.
The College maintains strong partnership with industry and international academic networks. In addition to its long-standing collaboration with Siemens, the College actively collaborates with organizations such as ServiceTitan and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), which support academic programs, research projects, and infrastructure development. Partnerships with international universities including collaborations with MIT, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and leading European institutions further enhance student mobility, joint research, and knowledge exchange. Support from the Afeyan Family Foundation has also played a particularly important role in advancing research, enabling the funding of multiple faculty-led projects annually and strengthening the Collegeā€™s research ecosystem.
Another defining institutional strength of ACSE is its integration of theory, research, and experiments. Academic programs emphasize hands-on learning through capstone projects, applied laboratories, internships, and research participation.
ACSE continues to expand its academic and research capacity. Planned initiatives include new programs in areas such as aerospace engineering, applied mathematics, and advanced data science with a focus on artificial intelligence. The College is also exploring the development of doctoral education, signalling its transition toward advanced research and knowledge creation.
From its origins as the College of Engineering addressing post-earthquake reconstruction needs to its current role at the forefront of data, systems, and intelligent technologies, ACSE reflects AUAā€™s broader mission: advancing education, research, and innovation in service of Armenia and the global community.
We invite you to explore our programs, research initiatives, laboratories, and partnerships, and to discover how ACSE is shaping solutions to complex challenges in Armenia and beyond. Whether you are a prospective student, researcher, industry partner, or member of our broader community, we welcome you to join us in building a future driven by knowledge, creativity, and impact.
To the future
Reza Malekian