Center for Education Projects PIU The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports

On July 19 a working meeting was held in Yerevan State University (YSU). The representatives of the Ministry of Education Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, the Higher Education and Science Committeeand the Centre for Education Projects PIU were present at the meeting. The aim of the meeting was the monitoring of the ongoing grant project of Competitive Innovation Fund (CIF) for higher education institutions of Armenia. MusheghRafaelyan, the Head of the grant project “Creation of an Educational and Scientific Center for the Development and Research of Optical Microsystems"presented the ongoing activities related to the establishment of "Scientific and Educational Center " to the participants of the visit. The attendees, accompanied by the Head andCoordinator of the grant project toured the area, provided by the university for the establishment of the center.It should be noted that renovation and reconstruction works were being carried out in the area.The Head of the project mentioned that part of the laboratory equipment was purchased within the framework of the grant project and is located in the university, but the observation is not possible, because the equipment due to the construction works is in storage.
He mentioned that as a result of the announced International Competitive Bidding (ICB) for the purchase of the Femtosecond laser a contract was signed with the winner and the Femtosecond laser is at the stage of delivery, the tender for the purchase of the Confocal fluorescence microscope is in progress. The Scientific and Educational center will be equipped with the material and technical base necessary for the micro processing of modern optical and optoelectronic devices, using them for the preparation of high-tech micro systems in bio-optics, information processing, and telecommunications. It will contribute to increasing the efficiency of education and research. During the visit, the participants discussed the activities planned in the project schedule and the process of their implementation.
M. Rafayelyan assured that, in parallel to the reconstruction work, the work of creating the strategy of the center has also started, which must be approved by the YSU Scientific Council.The Project Coordinator Astghik Kuzanyan spoke about the "Women in Optics" meeting held in Strasbourg, which she participated in within the framework of the grant project, and emphasized the need to increase the involvement of women in the STEM field. It should be noted that the creation of educational content is also an important component of the grant project.In particular, the Head of the grant project noted that the development of the new "Optics and Photonics" master's program is in progress.The development of the strategic plan for the adaptation of the new master's program to international standards has also started.The project management staff noted that YSU also emphasizes project coverage by the website, social network pages ( Facebook, Twitter, Linkdin), as well as the organization of professional seminars and awareness events involving students, high school students ( including females) in order to increase interest in physics.The HEI representatives also assured that the measures in this direction are of a continuous nature and are envisioned throughout the duration of the grant project.