VivaCell-MTS will allocate 70 million drams for the implementation of the pilot program

YEREVAN (ARKA)—Armenia is preparing to introduce a pilot information and communication technology education program in five schools during the 2015-2016 academic year, a program which Minister of Education Armen Ashotyan says has no equivalent anywhere else in the world.

The program is to be implemented in partnership with VivaCell-MTS, which will allocate 70 million drams under an agreement signed by the Education and Science Ministry, Synopsys Armenia, and Unicomp.

Earlier reports said that the ministry would add microelectronics and essential telecommunications and information technology curricula to schools in Armenia.

VivaCell-MTS will take part in the development and implementation of the program on essential telecommunications, re-training teachers and financing the opening of new laboratories. Synopsys Armenia will assist in conducting microelectronics lessons, while Unicomp will conduct lessons on IT and also assist in the opening of new laboratories.

The pilot program will be implemented in five schools—Photon and Quantum colleges in Gyumri, the advanced mathematics and natural sciences school in Vanadzor, a high school affiliated with the State Engineering University of Armenia in Yerevan, and the Artashes Shahinyan Special Physics and Mathematics School.

“Today’s event is dedicated to an unprecedented initiative – to create an Armenian education brand,” Ashotyan said.

According to Ashotyan, though the project has not been launched yet, it has already attracted the attention of some countries and international organizations.

“Not only is the charitable aspect of this initiative important, but [it is] also a crucial model of interaction where the government and business people are trying to assume responsibility for innovations and to put them into practice,” Ashotyan said.

VivaCell-MTS CEO Ralph Yirikian stressed the importance of the project, saying that his company believes in Armenia’s future and therefore joined the project.