Today a four-partite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Ministry of Education and Science of Armenia, VivaCell-MTS, Synopsys Armenia and Unicomp. The MOU signing was followed by a press conference presided by the RA Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan, VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian, Director of Synopsys Armenia Hovik Musayelyan and Director of Unicomp CJSC Armen Baldryan.

The MOU highlights the strategic collaboration between the state and key players in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector in pushing the ICT education in the country to qualitatively higher level. The goals and actions set by the MOU reflect shared commitment of the Ministry from one side, and ICT leaders VivaCell-MTS, Synopsys Armenia and Unicomp, from the other side, to support jointly the establishment of the ICT sector as one of the most important components and top priority directions of the country’s economic, scientific and technical development. The MOU defines the objectives of the long-term strategic roadmap of activities to be implemented through the joint coordinated efforts of the Ministry and the respective ICT companies. 

The MOU is aimed at raising the quality of specialty education in the sphere of ICT, through continuous improvement of the quality of education in the sphere, through providing technical means, development of educational platforms and introduction of methodologies, based on modern theoretical and practical innovative knowledge owned by the companies. The joint project is focused on creating better opportunities for the young people in Armenia in choosing future professions in the fields of information technologies, telecommunication and microelectronics.

As stipulated by the MOU, the RA Ministry of Education and Science will ensure the implementation of the above-mentioned subjects, as well as will ensure the elaboration and approval of criteria and materials for teaching “Microelectronics”, “Information Technologies” and “Basics of Telecommunication”. The new educational pilot program will be introduced in the 2015-2016 school year. 

Armenia’s leading telecommunications operator VivaCell-MTS will participate in the process of elaborating the criteria and the teaching materials for the subject of “Basics of Telecommunication” and the vocational training and professional re-training of the instructors of the subject. In addition, the Company has undertaken financing the establishment of laboratories for the “Microelectronics”, “Information Technologies” and “Basics of Telecommunication”. Overall, for the implementation of the project VivaCell-MTS allocates AMD 70 million.  

Synopsys Armenia will participate in the process of elaborating the criteria and the teaching materials for the subject of “Microelectronics” and will carry out the training of teachers of the “Microelectronics” subject. 

Unicomp will participate in the process of elaborating the criteria and the teaching materials for the subject of “Information Technologies” and will carry out the training of teachers of the subject of “Information Technologies”. Also, the Company will ensure the provision of the “Microelectronics” “Information Technologies” and “Basics of Telecommunication” laboratories and respective computer network.

The MOU envisions implementing the educational project this year in five educational establishments throughout the country such as “Photon” college in Gyumri, “Quantum” college, Vanadzor school specialized in mathematics and natural sciences, Yerevan high-school of the Armenian State Engineering University, and the school with a special profile in physics and mathematics named after Artashes Shahinyan, including the establishment of laboratories for the three above mentioned subjects. The selection of the educational institutions was done together with the Ministry.

“We already have a number of success stories of cooperation between the state and the private sector in the sphere of education. This four-partite memorandum, too, has the potential to join the list of successful projects which should serve as a model for economically successful organizations to partake in educational activities and make long-term investments in the sphere,” said RA Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan.

“The mission of the project is two-fold. On the one hand, the high schools are given an opportunity to provide high-quality education programs in microelectronics, IT or telecommunications, with support of the practicing specialists, who have relevant educational and professional background. On the other hand, the project will have a solid social impact as it will help meet the needs of the job market and help the Armenian youth stay and work in Armenia. This project is a long-term investment in Armenia’s younger generation with an aim to prepare them as a potential workforce for present and future ICT companies,” VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian told.

“The program aims to introduce microelectronics, programming, network security and telecommunication to high school students. Due to this program the school graduates will be professionally oriented at the same time universities will admit more mature and knowledgeable students,” said Hovik Musayelyan, director of Synopsys Armenia. “The pilot program will be officially launched this year. Given the successful implementation of the program, which I believe is guaranteed, the program will further expand to include more schools from Yerevan and the regions, making Armenia a world pioneer in creating a fundamental education system in ICT. 

“Today the provision of high quality education is an essential milestone in the country’s development, whereas the ICT development level defines the country’s potential for economic growth and safeguard. Evidently, combination of education and ICT components holds an immense strategic importance for Armenia”, the Director of Unicomp CJSC Armen Baldryan told.

  -   Press release