4 October 2016

The much-anticipated first AGBU-HAIK Symposium on key success factors for students and young professionals in German-speaking regions took place at the Goethe University Frankfurt, September 24, 2016. Participants from all over Germany joined the symposium to meet young, ambitious people and get in contact with successful and experienced experts. Hereby the young members of the club had the unique opportunity to enlarge their professional network, get insights in different success stories and shape a common agenda.

The event started with general thoughts on the topic by the ambassador of the Republic of Armenia in Germany, Ashot Smbatyan, and the leaders of the host organizations Nadia Gortzounian (President AGBU Europe) and Sahak Artazyan (Chairman of German-Armenian Studentsclub HAIK). The common message of these thoughts can be summarized best by AGBU’s motto: In unity is strength.

Before starting the first panel on key features for successful leaders, Mr. Ara Abrahamyan (Advisor to the Board, Head of Risk Architecture & Engineering, Erste Group) gave an outstanding speech. Not only did his presentation contain personal anecdotes, but also gave a practical guidance for a successful career planning. In the following panel Mr. Abrahamyan discussed the topic with Jörg-Matthias Butzlaff (Head of Corporate Communications, Bankhaus Metzler), Manfred Leonhard (Lawyer, Judge a.D., Lecturer), Derenik Grigorian (CIO, Divisional Board Member, DIAMOS AG) and Johannes Kärcher (Owner and Foundation Chairman, Kärcher). The panelists had different views on leadership and career planning which led to a very vibrant discussion.

Thanks to a well prepared moderator, Stepan Hayrapetyan, and a highly interested audience, the second panel was led with the same active manner. Following panelists discussed the topic called challenges for targeted career planning: Herbert Sternberg (Business Angel), Martin Weiss (Managing Director, “Haus der Mentoren gemeinnützige GmbH“), Anousch Obst (Senior Consultant, Technology Consulting in Financial Services, PwC) and Khachatur Hovhannisyan (Transformation Manager, Consultant, Capgemini). The four panelists agreed that the planning of smart goals is important. However, flexibility combined with the courage to make decisions and changes has at least the same importance in our dynamic times. Furthermore, Mr. Weiss noted that he alone had brought five successful mentors to the symposium. They were available during the event for networking purposes.

The final panel dealt with the economic opportunities in Armenia and started with a presentation held by Ernst-Ludwig Drayß (CIO of von der Heydt & Co. AG, Board Member, Noah Arts). Mr Drayß, who is actively involved in the pension reforms in Armenia as chairman of the supervisory board of C-QUADRAT Ampega Asset Management Armenia (one of the two funds managing the pension-deposits). He also gave insights on the reform process in Armenia and presented a highly positive and promising picture of the Armenian economy. He then discussed the topic with H.E. Ashot Smbatyan (Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia), Axel Bommersheim (Regional Head CIS, Director, Financial Institutions, Commerzbank AG), Dr. Brian Fera (Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia, Executive Partner, WICOM) and Haik Petrossian (Freelance Consultant on Human Capacity Development & Organizational Psychology). Vahan Balayan led the emotional and complex discussion. Although difficult aspects of the Armenian economy were also discussed, the various positive changes served as a promising sign and also as an obligation to continue this path. The main message to the audience was to actively contribute and get involved in the Armenian economy. Thereby, people will use the great opportunities for instance in the sphere of IT, tourism, banking or the food and beverages industry and can become a part of the solution.

Moreover, the breaks between the panels served as an occasion to network and to enjoy the atmosphere of the university. The buffet was made by contribution of members and friends of the club. The organizers also used the event to collect donations for AGBU’s NKR Relief fund.

Furthermore, members of the board presented opportunities to get active in Armenia as a student or a young professional by giving insights on AGBUs programs, Birthright Armenia and the Armenian Voluntary Corps. Additionally, the new big project of the team, TUMO Germany, was presented to the audience. Many relevant supporters for the project were acquired and a promising venture for the future was originated.

AGBU-HAIK targets a new professionalism for the Armenian community in Germany, especially for the activities of students and young professionals. The AGBU-HAIK Symposium was the first successful event carried out with this approach, which provides a new guidance for future projects and initiatives.

The organizers in particular want to thank AGBU for all the support, Mr. Abrahamyan and Mr. Drayß for the outstanding speeches, Mr. Weiss for the participation of the House of Mentors and of course the moderators and every speaker in the three panels. Moreover the organizers want to thank the team, especially the voluntary technicians under direction of Mr. Krebs, and every single helper.