Nov 21, 2016
The Innovative Solutions and Technologies Center, or ISTC has been supporting the development of Armenia's information technology sector since 2014. It recently opened a new 1,000 square-meter state-of-the-art premises on the Yerevan State University campus.
The ISTC -- a joint project of the Government of Armenia, the Enterprise Incubator Foundation, IBM, USAID, and Yerevan State University -- helps meet the demand for quality specialists to work in Armenia's IT sector. ISTC will help develop and strengthen the education and research potential of Armenian universities in the areas of IT and hi-tech.
“I am proud of the fact that this uniquely designed partnership promotes the education of one of Armenia's most valuable resources – its youth. The collaboration between the private sector and universities creates economic opportunities for younger generations of Armenia,” said U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills, who was joined at the opening of the new facility by more than 100 Armenian tech and business representatives.
The ISTC serves students and university faculty, providing them with the latest hardware and software for training and research. Since the project's launch, the ISTC has already assisted more than 100 professors from nine major Armenian universities to improve their training courses. Thanks to these efforts, more than 1,500 students already received training through 30 modernized curricula in the areas of artificial intelligence, business process management, cloud computing, and cyber security among others.
Supporting the development of Armenia's IT sector has long been a priority of the U.S., Ambassador Mills said. “USAID support to the IT sector began a decade ago. Since that time, USAID has played an important role in laying the foundation for a strong and vibrant IT sector in Armenia,” he said during the opening.
“We see the establishment of the Innovative Solutions and Technologies Center as a capstone achievement in our efforts to partner with you to develop and strengthen IT in Armenia.”