On April 28, a conference entitled 'Mesrop Mashtots and the Armenian Alphabet' was held at Exeter College of Oxford University.

Theo M. van Lint, Calouste Gulbenkian Professor of Armenian Studies at Oxford University, Dr. Joseph J. S. Weitenberg, Chair of Armenian Studies at the University of Leiden, Netherlands, Dr. Vrej Nersessian, Head of the Christian Middle East Collection Section of the British Library, Erna Shirinyan, Head of the Manuscripts Division of Yerevan's Matenadaran, and others delivered speeches at the Conference.

Vahe Gabrielian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, opened the Conference. In his speech, he stressed the role of the Alphabet in the History of Armenia and in the formation of the identity of the Armenian nation, as well as its political significance and lessons learned.

From March 20 till April 30, an exhibition of medieval Armenian manuscripts and printed books was held at the Bodleian Library of Oxford University, with specimens of the 11-18th centuries.

Oxford's Armenian collection dates back to 1635. Calouste Gulbenkian Chair of Armenian Studies at Oxford University was founded in 1965.