Friday, September 12 2014

Armenia's leading telecommunications operator allots more than AMD 34 million to the ERA to create the fourth educational lab at the department of Microelectronic Circuits and Systems of Communication Facilities, the press service of VivaCell-MTS has told ArmInfo. 

VivaCell-MTS and the European Regional Academy (ERA) today announced the opening of the new 4th educational lab at ERA, in frames of the joint educational program of Synopsys Armenia, VivaCell-MTS and ERA. 

Three years ago the parties took the first steps in order to implement what was envisioned under the trilateral agreement on the establishment of joint educational program aimed at preparation of ICT specialists. In the past four years, VivaCell-MTS invested 108.8 million AMD in total for the establishment of four educational labs. Synopsys Armenia granted comprehensive educational packages of Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software. In frames of the project Synopsys also provided educational resources such as customized curricula, educational design kits (EDKs) and interoperable design kits (iPDKs) for 90-nanometer (nm) and 32/28-nm technologies. These kits enable state-of-the-art IC design in an educational environment.   "VivaCell-MTS looks at the future with the eyes of the young generation. We see what our youngsters expect and we help them reach their goals. Education is the main and proper tool for a fruitful sustainable growth, and we have consistently and continuously backed up all forms of educations and relevant programs and we will keep on doing so. The healthier our education is the brighter our future will be," noted VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

Using a successful and proven educational model of cooperation, the program makes it possible to provide Armenia's labor market with industry-ready graduates, who have the required knowledge and practical skills to quickly become productive in the industry. According to the educational model by Synopsys Armenia, after acquiring a basic education in the 2nd year of Bachelor program, top-performing students are selected to participate in the program. The selection of students is made by leading Synopsys and VivaCell-MTS technical experts and first- rate professors of the Academy. This is the second year that bachelor students with specialization in "Micro-Electronic Circuitry and Systems of the Communication Facilities" graduate from the ERA. The best undergraduate students now have an opportunity to continue their education pursuing master's degree. 
"This program is a successful example of a trilateral cooperation for the preparation of professionals with state of the art knowledge and skills in Information Technologies and Telecommunications' sphere", Synopsys Armenia director Hovik Musayelyan said. "The availability of high quality and up-to-date professionals is one of the main prerequisites for the development of the ICT in Armenia."

"The cooperation between Synopsys and ERA is developing and enlarging continuously", said Vazgen Melikyan, an honorable scientist of RA, the director of the Synopsys Armenia Educational Department and head of ERA's Microelectronic Circuits and Systems of Communication Facilities Chair. "To keep the program up to date, we constantly adjust the curriculum and infrastructures to address current industry needs and requirements."
"The unique initiative which is the result of University - business cooperation gives an incredible opportunity to the students of ERA to improve their professional knowledge, to earn practical skills during the years of study,  become competitive in the constantly changing sphere of Microelectronic circuits and systems of Telecommunications", - says Arman Avagyan, the ERA rector.

Owing to VivaCell-MTS financial support, the laboratory premise will be adapted to educational needs and standards and will be equipped with computers. VivaCell-MTS financial support will also cover the salaries and other remuneration of instructors. 

VivaCell-MTS (K-Telecom CJSC) is Armenia's leading mobile operator, having the widest 2G/3.75G/4G network reach and spreading a wide range of Voice and Data services all across Armenia. Having the best of the Armenian people interest at heart since its launch on 1st July 2005 and in a short period of time VivaCell-MTS has managed to build a nationwide network and a considerable customer base. VivaCell-MTS drives innovation and aims at always being at the forefront of any development serving the Armenian mobile communications market.  The company follows the guidance provided by ISO 26000 (International Standard of Social Responsibility). 

Mobile TeleSystems OJSC ("MTS") is the leading telecommunications group in Russia and the CIS, offering mobile and fixed voice, broadband, pay TV as well as content and entertainment services in one of the world's fastest growing regions. Including its subsidiaries, the Group services over 100 million mobile subscribers. The Group has been awarded GSM licenses in Russia, Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Armenia and Belarus, a region that boasts a total population of more than 200 million. Since June 2000, MTS' Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol MBT).