Vahan Agopyan: The Armenian-Brazilian Steering Science and Innovation in São Paulo

Born in Istanbul in 1951, Vahan Agopyan comes from a family with deep Armenian roots. His parents, whose ancestors hailed from the historical Armenian city of Van and Tekirdag, survived the Armenian Genocide. Following the anti-Christian pogroms of 1955 in Istanbul, the family made the difficult decision to leave Turkey.

According to The Armenian Mirror-Spectator, Agopyan recalled the family's journey:

"My mother had a sister and cousins in São Paulo, so they decided to come to Brazil. We arrived in 1956."

Despite the initial challenges of immigration, Brazil offered them a chance to build a new life, largely free from the prejudices that many immigrants faced elsewhere at the time.

Career and Academic Journey

In the early 1970s, starting his career as a civil engineer, Agopyan participated in the construction of the "Ponte Pequena" metro station in São Paulo. Opened in 1975, the station was notably renamed "Armenia" in 1985 to honor the local Armenian community. After earning his Ph.D. in London in the early 1980s, Agopyan returned to Brazil and joined the University of São Paulo (USP) as an assistant professor. Steadily climbing the academic ranks, he served as the university's president from 2018 to 2022. Throughout his distinguished academic career, he has mentored approximately 30 doctoral candidates and dozens of master's students.

Current State Role and Ties to the Armenian Community

Today, Vahan Agopyan holds a key government position as the Secretary of Science, Technology, and Innovation for the State of São Paulo. In this capacity, he coordinates collaborations between the state's three public universities, various research institutions, and the government. This is a critical role, considering the State of São Paulo accounts for roughly one-third of Brazil's entire economy.

Agopyan speaks highly of the local Armenian community's work ethic and emphasizes the immense value Armenian families place on education. He also proudly notes that the Armenian Studies program at the University of São Paulo, currently directed by Professor Lusine Yeghiazaryan, holds an important place within the institution's academic offerings.