California-based technology giant Intel is the world's largest semiconductor chip producer.

YEREVAN (ARKA)—Technology giant Intel is rolling out advanced information technologies in about ten Armenian schools as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility program, Unicomp director Armen Baldryan said Thursday.

Unicomp CJSC is an official partner of Intel in Armenia.

“As part of its corporate social responsibility program, Intel is committed to developing appropriate information technologies for schools. To that extent, many technological programs, developed jointly with Microsoft, are delivered to schools for free,” Baldryan said.

He added that Intel is implementing pilot projects aimed at introducing high technology to educational programs in Armenian schools, which include the Mkhitar Sebastatsi, Anania Shirakatsi, and in schools located in Lori, Shirak, and Aragatsotn regions.

“These schools received nearly 60 computers in order to offer computer classrooms as a part of this pilot project,” added Baldryan.

Depending on the outcome of the pilot project, a large-scale project may follow.

“Research done in other countries demonstrated that academic performance rose by 30 percent due to the introduction of technology in schools. Students with low academic performance got involved in the educational process because they found interest in technology,” he noted.

According to Baldryan, Intel does not have any business interests in equipping schools. The goal of its project is to create an effective technological model for Armenian schools.

“With information technology, students can continue studying outside of school, ensuring regularity in the educational process. Education requires new approaches, and studying should be made more appealing to students using new technologies. Of course, technology is just a tool for education, it can’t replace a teacher or a school, but technology can improve the educational environment,” he said.

Baldryan said Armenia should step up to the global trend of offering competitive products, adding that Intel offers a lot of programs that can solve issues in education, in addition to other projects, which should be streamlined into a single system within the educational system.

“We need to solve the problem of Armenian translations of content in many programs. If there is Armenian content, it can be used not only in Armenia, but also in Armenian schools abroad,” he explained.

Baldryan also announced that an Intel research center in Armenia would open within a year.

The opening of the research center is part of a memorandum of understanding between Armenia and Intel, signed last year. To this end, the government established a working group to develop common conceptual approaches and to determine the necessary levels of investment. The center will be a research laboratory that will operate using Intel research and development in advanced technology.

Baldryan said the main goal is to create a small but promising group that will be using advanced Intel research and development technology to sell its products abroad.

He said the Armenian government will promote the project in its beginning stage, but in the future, it should become independent.

U.S.-based Intel Corporation was established in 1968. It produces a broad spectrum of electronic devices and computer components, such as micro processors, chips, and more. Its head office is located in Santa Clara, California.