ANAU Rector Vardan Urutyan was on a working visit to the orchards of Gardenia Lebanese Farms LLC in Bagratashen, Tavush marz and Yeghvard, Kotayk marz. The visit was participated also by a Canadian-Armenian businessman, Founder of Ararat Trading company and Rector Urutyan’s good friend, Harout Sipan.
The founder and CEO of Gardenia Lebanese Farms, Nicolas Abou Fayssal is the founder of the Gardenia Grain D’or, a leading high quality branded food producer and exporter in Lebanon and the region.
Gardenia Lebanese Farms has established orchards on 230 hectares with different tree types and varieties, including those that have not been grown in Armenia before, such as Pine nuts, Chestnuts and Pecan nuts (grown in Armenia in 1940s-1960s). The company has also 120 hectares of walnut orchards of Ideal variety in Yeghvard.
Rector Urutyan and Mr. Fayssal discussed several areas of cooperation. Mr. Fayssal who is a well-known businessman in Lebanon and beyond, considers the role of education to be very important both in his homeland and in his second homeland, which is Armenia. A businessman who directly or indirectly exports his products to more than 50 countries and who has overcome many difficulties on his way to the success in Armenia, not only never gave up but is full of special love for Armenia and Armenian people.
Gardenia Grain D’or company has a good experience of cooperation with leading Lebanese universities, organizing, in particular, effective internships for students in its factory located in Zahle.
Mr. Fayssal welcomes the opportunity to accept students of the Agrarian University in his company and expressed his willingness to host the working semesters of our students in Gardenia Lebanese Farms. A related memorandum of understanding will be signed in the near future.
Nicolas Abou Fayssal loves Armenia, feels at home here and, most importantly, believes in the good future of Armenia. Acquaintance and cooperation with such a businessman, professional and dedicated person will be very useful for ANAU students, in particular, as the best example of setting the right goals and achieving them with tireless work.
