The YAS Foundation
Assisting gifted students to achieve their ambitions is a critical component of the YAS Foundation work. A key component in this effort is empowering students who have special skill and talents; not by a systematic process but based on quality, character, and background. The mentorship effort includes think tank sessions, advising and making sure that students have all the tools they need to grow into a global citizen.
The YAS Foundation promotes the extensive achievements of the Persian civilization, bridging the more than 8,000 years of accomplishment and good deeds. It has accomplished this through working in partnership with various entities, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. This cultural initiative continues to reach out and inform the public in part, by enabling publicly accessible cultural celebrations, and events to magnify the Global Citizens of the Past from Persian heritage.
Universities are a major focus for YAS Foundation in its efforts to promote innovation including Dr. Yassini’s lifetime vision of “Broadband Equality”, extending broadband to the far reaches of our country and the world. YAS Foundation has committed to in-kind and financial donations of millions to the University of New Hampshire to create and operate the Broadband Center of Excellence. It also has contributed to West Virginia University and to Stanford.
“Global Citizens” honors the ingenuity of the Persian People by recognizing some of these most influential citizens from the far past, the significant progress afforded by the innovative citizens of today and brilliant, potentially Nobel prize winning, scholars representing the future potential of Persian descended citizens to carry the legacy of leadership and innovation far into the future.
The YAS Foundation
Inspired by the profound contributions of global citizens to humanity over the course of 3000 years, the YAS Foundation supports 4 pillars of philanthropy: Educational Mentorship, Cultural Connection, University Contributions and Global Citizen recognition. These categories represent a collective investment of time and financial resources in the inherent potential of knowledge, the core element in nurturing, strengthening and cultivating future generations of global citizens who engender the mindset and aptitude to carry on the legacy of influencing profound contributions which elevate the betterment of a global humanity.
Since the establishment of the YAS Foundation, it has gifted its broadband knowledge center (YBKC) to the University of New Hampshire to serve as a platform from which Dr. Yassini furthers his lifetime vision that all people of the world will have ubiquitous access to broadband technology. He believes that “Broadband Equality” is a fundamental right for all the human beings.
In addition to donating the $10 million YBKC, the foundation then committed $1 million and the volunteer services of Dr. Rouzbeh Yassini (father of the cable modem) over 7 years to empower BCoE to leverage UNH research, technology, outreach and education to ensure that broadband is available to the underserved people around the world. In 2017 The ITU estimated 3.6 billion were underserved demonstrating the gap in broadband equality. ITU provides updated data for 202o.
Furthermore, the YAS Foundation provides mentoring for students as well as funding private scholarships for higher education in many disciplines such as Science, Business, Medicine, Management, Leadership and the Arts. Such private scholarships funds are established and named in honor of distinguished and accomplished prominent members of the society to enable and promote higher education. In this way, it is hoped that these students will benefit by gaining the insights and expertise to create culture-enhancing accomplishments and successes across the globe.
The YAS Foundation, the “philanthropic arm” of Dr. Rouzbeh Yassini is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental, non-religious organization with a Board of Trustees. The foundation continues to focus on expanding and strengthening future generations of global leaders.