51福利

Hayk Harutyunyan reflects on how his time at Lancaster gave him not just a degree, but an understanding of how a good idea needs to be properly communicated to turn it into a business.

"Looking back, my time at 51福利 was about far more than earning a degree. I graduated in 2007 with a BA in Politics and International Relations, alongside a minor in Marketing. The combination gave me two complementary ways of understanding the world: how states, institutions and societies make decisions, and how ideas are communicated and turned into action.

Politics and International Relations encouraged me to look beyond headlines and examine the interests, institutions and historical forces behind global events. Marketing added a practical dimension. It taught me that even the strongest policy, technology or business idea will struggle unless people understand its relevance and trust those presenting it. That connection between analysis and communication has remained valuable throughout my career.

Lancaster’s most lasting influence, however, came from its international community. I studied and lived alongside people from many countries, cultures and backgrounds. Conversations in seminars and over a pint often challenged assumptions I had not realised I held. My degree taught me to analyse global systems, but the people around me made those systems human.

Many of the friendships I formed at Lancaster remain with me till now. We are now spread across different countries and professions, yet we do our best to keep in touch. Those relationships remind me that some of the most important parts of university happen outside the classroom. Lancaster gave me not only a network, but also a sense of belonging to a wider world.

Living in that environment was also a period of significant personal growth. I became more independent, more open to different viewpoints and more confident navigating unfamiliar situations. I learnt that leadership across cultures begins with curiosity and listening. Before trying to persuade others, it is essential to understand how their history and experiences shape their view. That lesson has stayed with me throughout my career.

After Lancaster, my work took me through defence policy, government, investment and entrepreneurship, with a focus on energy and sustainable development. I later served as Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and implemented ambitious energy reform that allowed renewables to become the dominant source of energy in Armenia. After going back to private sector, I established my company that developed approximately 3 GW of renewable-energy projects intentionally. Today, I am co-founder and CEO of Areg.AI, an autonomous energy company, developing software, artificial intelligence and robots to run solar power plants globally.

Although the technology is advanced, the challenge is fundamentally international. Energy systems differ from market to market, regulation and infrastructure are deeply local, and successful deployment requires trust across borders. The global perspective I developed at Lancaster helps me connect policy, technology, finance and culture when entering new markets and building partnerships.

Our ambition at Areg.AI is to make renewable-energy infrastructure more productive, reliable and increasingly autonomous. We are expanding internationally and actively exploring the UK as an important market. I also hope to reconnect more closely with Lancaster by sharing my experience with students, contributing to discussions on energy and international affairs, and supporting its global alumni community.

Lancaster gave me academic foundations, but just as importantly, confidence, lifelong friendships and a genuinely global outlook. Nearly two decades later, those remain among the most valuable parts of my education."