News
The second stage of the grant project ends in YSU
17.01.2017
On December 14 the representatives of RA Ministry of Education and Science and Centre for Education Projects PIU were on a working visit in Yerevan State University (YSU). The aim of the visit was the monitoring of the ongoing grant program of Competitive Innovation Fund (CIF) of higher education of Armenia. The representatives of RA Ministry of Education and Science and Centre for Education Projects PIU accompanied by the coordinator of YSU grant project Karen Trchounyan, visited YSU Faculty of Biology and got acquainted with ongoing activities of the establishment of ''Microbial Biotechnology and Biofuel Innovation Center'' which was created in the framework of CIF. A year after the start of the program, as a result of the monitoring carried out at the end of the second stage of the grant project the participants confirmed that a part of the purchased laboratory equipment, materials and supplies had already been delivered. Note that the center's establishment, renovation and technical equipping have expired in the first stage of the grant project. During this visit the expert hired by CEP for this grant project Mr. Sahakyan discussed a number of issues related to the use of necessary laboratory equipment and chemical agents, further certification of research activities with Project Coordinator Trchounyan K. Grant project coordinator also said that the review activities of vocational education programs had launched. In particular, according to Trchounyan, with the assistance of involved individual consultant, the university has implemented the revision of Master’s Program in accordance with the current labor market requirements, international standards, the final results of which have been adjusted to the concept of Quality Assurance Center (QAC) of Yerevan State University. It is planned to use and to test the acquired modern microbiological equipment in Master's and PhD research activities. Grant Program Manager informed that on November 7-14 a study tour was conducted to US Berkeley University, United Institute of Bioenergetics and national laboratories of Sandia in the context of the program for studying foreign experience and for the development and introduction of microbiological master programs. Two YSU researchers got acquainted with the educational process in the US leading centers. It is planned to organize a conference in future to present the results of the study tour and to share acquired knowledge and experience, which will also contribute to the effective implementation of further activities of the grant program. We should add that the establishment of ''Microbial Biotechnology and Biofuel Innovation Center'' will contribute to the development and introduction of new microbiological technologies in beer, dairy, wine and other industries.