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Agrobot Center of Excellence for Robotics and Mechatronics Opens at the Armenian National Agrarian University
10.06.2026
The Agrobot Center of Excellence for Agricultural Robotics and Mechatronics has officially opened today at the Armenian National Agrarian University (ANAU). The opening ceremony was attended by the RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Zhanna Andreasyan, Chairman of the Higher Education and Science Committee Sargis Hayotsyan, Director of the Center For Education Projects Center (PIU) Grisha Hovhannisyan, other government officials, representatives of international organizations that supported the establishment of the center, and experts from the field.
The Agrobot Center of Excellence was established within the framework of the Education Improvement Project, financed by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), through the Competitive Innovation Fund (CIF). The total budget of the project, “Establishment of the Center of Excellence in Agricultural Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering,” exceeded AMD 118 million. Designed to meet modern educational and technological standards, the center will support the development of academic programs and scientific research in agricultural robotics and mechatronics. It aims to prepare highly competitive specialists while strengthening cooperation between the university and the labor market. Welcoming the participants, Minister Zhanna Andreasyan emphasized the importance of creating an educational environment that reflects the evolving needs of modern agriculture.
“Modern agriculture is, first and foremost, a technologically advanced economic sector. This means we must fundamentally rethink both the methods and the environment in which agricultural education is delivered. Alongside modern infrastructure, educational programs must also evolve to foster the university’s development,” she noted.
The Minister also recalled that the agricultural sector is expected to have a significant presence within the technological cluster of Armenia’s future Academic City.
“The laboratory infrastructure established today demonstrates that we are moving toward technological advancement. I believe that only through the promotion of initiatives like this can we ensure high-quality, internationally competitive education,” she said.
Andreasyan expressed confidence that the initiative would create new opportunities not only for future graduates but also for the country’s overall development, as every specialist educated at the center will contribute to the modernization and advancement of Armenia’s agricultural sector. She thanked all partners involved in the implementation of the project, emphasizing that the center is the result of coordinated teamwork.
“With the support of the Competitive Innovation Fund, important infrastructures have been established across several universities in Armenia. This also brings greater responsibility, as these opportunities must now be utilized to their fullest potential,” the Minister stated.
She also highlighted the importance of cooperation with companies operating in the agricultural sector and stressed the need to organize professional training courses and development programs for specialists at the newly established center.
According to Hrachya Zakoyan, Rector of the Armenian National Agrarian University, nearly 60 new infrastructures have been established at the university over the past seven to eight years.
“Increasing productivity in agriculture is one of our highest priorities. The introduction and application of modern digital technologies in agricultural processes, along with ensuring high-productivity farming, are urgent challenges that require immediate solutions,” he said, emphasizing the importance of the Agrobot complex, which enables the integration of advanced technologies, robotics, and digital solutions into the agricultural sector.
Beginning in September 2025, the university introduced the new academic program “Agromechatronics and Precision Robotics.” Students enrolled in the program presented the experience and achievements they have gained during their first year of study.
During the event, guests toured the newly established AgrobotLAB and ITLab laboratories, where they explored modern educational and research facilities equipped with advanced robots and laboratory equipment. The beneficiaries of the project include students, faculty members, doctoral candidates, researchers, farmers, agricultural mechanization specialists, researchers in the agricultural sector, Armath Engineering Laboratories, and other stakeholders.
