Microsoft to establish Innovation Center in Armenia

YEREVAN, December 28, /ARKA/. Armenian economy minister Nerses Yeritsyan, Microsoft Armenia Representation Office director Grigor Barseghyan and rector of the State Armenian Engineering University (SAEU) Vostanik Marukhian signed today an agreement on establishment of Microsoft Innovation Center at SAEU.

Before to put his signature under the agreement minister Nersesyan described it as a unique example of a partnership between business and university, saying also that the Innovation Center will allow Armenian IT companies to shift from autosourcing to development and marketing their own products. He added that it will give Armenian students and specialists an opportunity to conduct research work.

SAEU rector said the University is ready to use its potential and personnel to help this project, which will be another step to stimulate IT development in Armenia.

Grigor Barseghyan said the Microsoft Innovation Center will be furnished with state-of-the-art equipment and will be the only one in the region as the most proximate one is in Croatia. According to him, Microsoft partners Intel, Dell and others have expressed their interest in joining the Innovation Center. He said the project envisages creation of 200 new jobs and 20 start-up companies.

The Armenian government and Microsoft Corporation signed November 5 the basic agreement on launching the establishment of Microsoft Innovation Center in Armenia, which is expected to come online in 2010. But before it is inaugurated Microsoft Armenia will conduct competitions, offer consultations and carry out different education projects.

Microsoft will invest $2 million to establish the Center. -0-

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20:07 12/28/2009