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

On November 8, Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU) hosted Zhanna Andreasyan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia. The minister visited the laboratories of the Center for Excellence in Natural Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and got acquainted with lab technologies and equipment. The unique Center for Excellence was established within the framework of cooperation between ASPU and the “Center for Educational Programs” Project Implementation Unit (PIU).The 24-month project is aimed at developing skills and capacities of current and future teachers. Eight auditoriums have already been repaired and technically equipped within the framework of the project. Also, necessary equipment has been purchased for the laboratories of Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Technology, Geography and IT. The Center for Excellence has the necessary items, laboratory equipment and computer equipment in line with challenges in the modern education system. In these laboratories and centers, student will have practical classes, and teachers will receive professional training. Also, educational programs have been revised and synchronized with school curricula. As a result of cooperation with a professional and experienced group, the laboratories have been equipped with the necessary Armenian-language didactic materials and posters. The minister says they can be provided to schools too. The posters in schools are either old or not in Armenian. The project representatives say that they have already made an inventory list of all equipment and supplies needed for the Center, which they will purchase in the near future. ASPU Rector Srbuhi Gevorgyan says they have created all possible conditions for the laboratories to be more flexible, to serve students and teaching training courses. "It should be a general area for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines, with supporting materials for current and future teachers,” she said. The minister urged to take an inventory and present a list of other items needed for the laboratories, inquired about the availability of computer programs needed for today's teachers in various laboratories, and added that training in some specialties could include a small component for the maintenance of professional didactic materials and supplies so that the equipment is used and maintained correctly and serves for a long time. Let us remind you that the main objective of the project is to establish a unique Center for Excellence in (STEM) disciplines at ASPU which will be equipped with the necessary items, laboratory equipment and computer technology, in accordance with modern educational challenges, and will be aimed at training and retraining specialists armed with practical and research skills and abilities in STEM. The one-of-a-kind Center will provide the opportunity to establish the education-employment-training relationship effectively (through partnership with various generations of pedagogues) and will help improve the research, practical and creative skills and abilities of current and future teachers.The link below: https://aspu.am/en/content/unique_center_for_excellence