Armenia Honors TUMO Co-Founder Sam Simonian With First Class Order for Services to the Homeland

Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan has awarded Armenian-American entrepreneur and philanthropist Sam Simonian one of the country’s highest state honors, recognizing his decades of work in education, technology, culture and economic development.

Simonian, president of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), received the First Class Order for Services to the Homeland during a meeting with Khachaturyan in Yerevan.

The honor was granted in connection with Armenia’s Republic Day and recognizes Simonian’s contributions to the country, as well as his long-standing efforts to preserve Armenian identity and cultural heritage.

Khachaturyan congratulated Simonian and praised his years of service to Armenia and Armenian communities worldwide, wishing him continued success in his philanthropic and public work.

Simonian is best known in Armenia as a leading supporter of technology and education. Together with his wife, Sylva Simonian, he founded the Simonian Educational Foundation, which established the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies in Yerevan.

TUMO opened in 2011 as a free educational program for teenagers focused on technology and creative fields. The Armenian-developed model has since expanded internationally, bringing TUMO centers and programs to cities across Europe, the Middle East and other regions.

Before turning much of his attention to philanthropy, Simonian built a career in the technology industry. He co-founded INET Technologies, a telecommunications software company that later became publicly traded on Nasdaq and was acquired by Tektronix.

Simonian was elected president of AGBU in 2022. Founded in Cairo in 1906, AGBU is one of the world’s largest Armenian nonprofit organizations, supporting educational, cultural, humanitarian and community programs in Armenia and Armenian communities abroad.

His work through both AGBU and TUMO has made Simonian a prominent figure in efforts to connect Armenia’s development with the resources and expertise of Armenians around the world.

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