On Tuesday March 13th, the Goguikian Foundation held a cake and champagne celebration in honor of Shant Vartanian, a Jean Goguikian Scholar, who had placed fourth at the entrance competitions for the Foreign Ministry among almost 900 applicants.

During the event, Michel Goguikian, the President of the Foundation, congratulated Shant and stressed the importance of believing in oneself and going forward toward a set goal, regardless of the difficulties and the negative comments. Goguikian further encouraged all the youth to step forward and promised the Foundation support to whomever is ready to put in the hard work.

Before cutting the cake, Shant thanked the Foundation for the training and support and explained about his hard work at preparing for these competitions for almost two years and how he was rewarded by becoming only the third person to join the Lebanese Diplomatic Corps since the inception of the Foreign Ministry in 1945.

Jean Goguikian was the first Lebanese Armenian to join this Ministry, in 1945, and served to became the first Lebanese from Armenian roots to hold the title of Ambassador in that ministry and represent Lebanon internationally. Since then, Ara Khachadourian joined in 1998.

Present at this festive event were, Soheila Hayek, the Executive Director, Dr. Berj Hatjian, the General Director of the Ministry of the Environment, Ziad Hayek, the General Secretary for the High Council on Privatization and Partnership, Foundation scholars and alumni as well as past and present staff.