SYDNEY: Hamazkaine Regional Committee of Australia and the Board of Hamazkaine Arshak & Sophie Galstaun College have announced the appointment of Nishan Basmajian as the new Principal of Galstaun College.

"Mr. Basmajian brings to the role of Principal of Galstaun College many years of experience as an Armenian educator combined with professional management experience and an impressive track record of leadership," said Galstaun College Board chairperson, Vicken Kalloghlian.

Basmajian is a graduate of the Nishan Palandjian Armenian College in Beirut, Lebanon after which he received a Bachelor of Economics from the American University of Beirut. He is one of the Founders of the Armenian School in Sharjah, UAE and served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees as well as Principal and teacher for the school for 16 years. He has also served as Secretary, Treasurer and Chairman of the Armenian Community Council in Dubai and the Northern Emirates at various times during the period 1980-2011.

Basmajian has been bestowed with the honour of being appointed to the Knighthood of the Holy See of Cilicia (Guiliguian Asbed) by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia for services to the Armenian Church and to Armenia in general and to the Armenian community in the Gulf and the Armenian School in UAE.

He has also been decorated by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Armenia for the educational and managerial services offered in the Armenian School in Sharjah, UAE. In more recent years he has been involved with the Armenian Community in New Zealand.

The appointment was made after a lengthy process spanning more than 12 months including advertising the position locally as well as throughout the Diaspora and Armenia. Approximately 20 applications were received, reviewed and screened, with short-listed candidates then being interviewed. The final stage entailed the selected candidate being invited to Australia for further intensive interviews, briefings, and attendances at the College, which have taken place with Basmajian over the last two weeks.

President of Hamazkaine Regional Committee, Heros Grigorian said: "Although the process of securing our new Principal of Galstaun College has taken a little longer than we planned, we are delighted that Mr. Nishan Basmajian has accepted our invitation to this important role. We believe that he will not only fulfil this important leadership position in our College with dedication and passion but also will be a valuable asset to our entire community."

Basmajian is expected to return to Australia and formally commence his duties leading Hamazkaine Arshak & Sophie Galstaun College as Principal during Term 4 of this year.