Gulbenkian Scholarship recipients often become leaders and successful professionals in their respective fields. We are delighted that Mr. Bakarian has decided to contribute to the Department’s university scholarship programme to help other bright students in need. He had received a scholarship for three years (2011-2013) to study pharmacy at the Lebanese International University in Beirut. Hrag Bakarian contacted the Foundation stating: “I was a student that benefited from the Gulbenkian Foundation during my university days, now I want to see if I can make a donation back to this Foundation to help other students.” Mr. Bakarian is currently a licensed pharmacist and the co-founder of a specialty pharmacy in Orange County, California, which won the national “Pharmacy of the Year” award in 2025.

The president of the Foundation, Professor António Feijó, stated “The Armenian Department at the Foundation has been granting scholarships since its inception in 1957. Among our recipients are many prominent community leaders, businessmen and intellectuals, including the two Armenian Nobel Prize winners. This donation contributes to this long tradition, reflecting the generosity of our Founder.”

We thank Hrag Bakarian for his generosity. He took the initiative to approach the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation to contribute to the global Armenian community via student scholarships. The entire amount of his donation goes to deserving students in the Middle East.