The American University of Armenia (AUA), in partnership with Washington State University (WSU), will establish a Center for Excellence in Journalism and create a new Master’s program in journalism education.

The $1.3 million, four year university partnership initiative is funded by the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan to support Armenia’s media sector and democratic development, the Embassy said in a statement on Thursday, November 30.

Ambassador Kristina Kvien and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy at the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Rafik Mansour participated in the launch of the new center.

At the event AUA and Washington State University signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate on the Center and launch a new Master’s program in journalism education.