The Armenian Educational Foundation will honor social entrepreneurs and educational visionaries Ruben Vardanyan and Veronika Zonabend with the prestigious Educational Visionaries Award at its 75th Anniversary Gala, to be held on September 7 at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel.

Zonabend will be present to accept the award on behalf of the couple. Unfortunately, for the past two years, Vardanyan has been held captive in Baku because of his advocacy and service to Artsakh. They will be recognized for their transformative contributions to global education, and their pivotal roles in founding UWC Dilijan, Armenia’s first international boarding school.

Under their leadership, UWC Dilijan has become a prominent center for intercultural learning and global citizenship, helping propel Armenia to the forefront of the global educational landscape.

Established in 2014, UWC Dilijan embodies the mission of the United World Colleges movement: “To make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.” Under the guidance of Zonabend, Chair of the Board, and Vardanyan, the institution has educated students from 125 countries and transformed Dilijan’s economy by creating over 2,000 local jobs and fostering community engagement through educational and social initiatives.

Vardanyan and Zonabend’s philanthropic efforts extend well beyond UWC Dilijan. Together, they’ve founded the RVVZ Family Foundation, IDeA Charitable Foundation, and Scholae Mundi Foundation, focusing on sustainable development and global education initiatives.

​​Ruben Vardanyan has influenced socioeconomic development through projects such as the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST). He is a recipient of multiple international awards for his contributions to education and community development, including the AIB Presidential Award, and the Common Ground Awards.

Veronika Zonabend has been a driving force in educational philanthropy. She was honored with the Order of Friendship by the President of Armenia in 2014, and by the Armenian International Women’s Association in 2024, for her significant and continued contributions to education in Armenia.