YEREVAN – On October 31, 2022, the online Graduation Ceremony for the first level of the "Artificial Intelligence" (AI) program for high school students took place.
The "Artificial Intelligence" course was initiated by AGBU Silicon Valley to support the development of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education in Armenia and Artsakh. It consists of video lessons and has rich multimedia content supplemented with modern e-learning solutions.
The course was created by the "Union of Information and Communication Technologies Employers" (UEICT) with the support from the Synopsys Foundation. The content of the course was developed by the Synopsys Armenia Educational Department, and the expert evaluation was carried out by leading AI experts from AGBU Silicon Valley. The course was fully virtualized and offered through the AVC e-learning platform.
The online event summarized the results of the pilot program implemented in Artsakh in April-July 2022.
In his opening address, Dr. Yervant Zorian, President of Synopsis Armenia and Founding President of AGBU AVC, emphasized the importance of AI in this day and age, saying, "Today, it is crucial not only to be an AI user but also a creator, for which education is required. Our mission is to start from a very young, high-school age.” Dr. Zorian thanked all the partner organizations and the government of the Republic of Artsakh, whose joint efforts made it possible to implement the project. "Our goal is to reach every corner and every region of Armenia and Artsakh," he said.
Welcoming the participants of the event, State Minister of Artsakh Artak Beglaryan said: "The format of online education through AVC is an opportunity for us to overcome the limitations of our isolated environment and understand that through the Internet it is possible to use the potential of all Armenians for the educational development in Artsakh." He also addressed the youth, saying, "This program will be a solid foundation when you are choosing a future profession and applying your skills to the benefit of our homeland."
Arsen Baghdasaryan, head of the general education department of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, noted: "We are ready to support any initiatives that will contribute to the implementation of education in schools and improve the quality and transfer new skills and knowledge to our children."
"In a few years, our children will work in professions that do not exist today. It is the duty of every one of us to prepare these children for tomorrow," said Armen Baldryan, president of the Union of Information and Communication Technologies Employers.
In his welcoming speech, AGBU Armenia President Vazgen Yakubyan emphasized, that this program was an example of fruitful cooperation between different companies, organizations and the government.
Vazgen Melikyan, director of the Synopsis Armenia Educational Department, mentioned that there were very few such courses for school-age children, and the one they developed was unique because it was created specifically for schoolchildren. He added that the second level of the course was ready, and the third and final level was underway.
During the online event, the 12 students who successfully completed the first level of the course received their graduation certificates. They shared their experiences and mentioned that thanks to the hybrid (in-class and online) learning model, they were able to work together to find solutions to difficult problems. "I am happy that we were able to complete the first level of the course and hope to continue to the second level," said Yana Harutyunyan.
Advisor to the President of RA, Advisor to the Minister of State of Armenia and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of "reArmenia" Davit Hakobyan, Director of "Yes" Educational Foundation Ashot Avanesyan and Head of Public Relations of Synopsis Armenia Gayane Markosyan also addressed the participants with inspiring messages.
Watch the video about the course here.
Watch the video of the online event here.
