YEREVAN, OCTOBER 19, NOYAN TAPAN. RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan met with director of the department of Armenian language of the Mekhitarist Seminary of Argentina, Professor Adriana Shuparalian and director of the Sydney-based Arshak and Sophie Galstian Seminary of the Hamazgayin, Kaylar Mikayelyan who are in Armenia with the students of the seminaries. The Minister handed the RA Prime Minister's medals for their notable contribution to Armenian education and upbringing of the Diaspora Armenian generation and for preserving the Armenian identity. Hakobyan expressed satisfaction with the activities carried out by Diaspora Armenian educators for the preservation of Armenian identity. Expressing gratitude for the attention and care from the RA Ministry of Diaspora, the Diaspora Armenian educators mentioned that although they have visited the Homeland several times, this was the first time that they felt that the Ministry is by their side and is capable of working with them. As reported by the RA Diaspora Ministry’s Department of Press and Public Relations, the aim of the mutual visits of students and educators from Armenian and Diaspora Armenian schools is to help both sides get acquainted with the instructional programs, create sister-schools which will serve as a unique resource for fighting against assimilation in Diaspora Armenian communities. It is also mentioned that the RA Ministry of Diaspora had compiled a list of the tens of Diaspora Armenian educators devoted to Diaspora Armenian youth and preservation of Armenian identity and presented them for the RA Prime Minister’s medal, certificate of gratitude and the Ministry's certificate of honor.

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