Friday, November 23 2018 16:31

ArmInfo. RA Ministry of transport, communication and information technologies hosted today a press conference to announce the laureate of the 2018 State Award of Republic of Armenia for Global Contribution to Humanity through IT.

Acting RA Minister of transport, communication and information technologies Hakob Arshakyan, General  Manager of the award's General Partner VivaCell-MTS Ralph Yirikian,  and Hovik Musayelyan, coordinating the works of the award committee  spoke at the press conference.  

As announced on the press conference James Truchard, the founder of  the company "National Instruments", became the laureate of the State  Award of Republic of Armenia for Global Contribution to Humanity  through IT in 2018.  

"By inviting such prominent people to Armenia, we not only show our  esteem to them and celebrate their achievements but also demonstrate  our approach toward the IT sphere. The laureates of GIT Award become  the ambassadors of Armenia in the world and thus help raising our  country's reputation as a technological country," said RA Acting  Minister of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies   Hakob Arshakyan.  "Armenia's competitive advantages are closely  connected to IT. And there is no coincidence Armenia has an award for  global contribution. Those are contributions, which have been  breakthroughs for humanity. We are proud that world legends visit  Armenia every year reestablishing our country's reputation and  renown," said Hovik Musayelyan, Director of Synopsis Armenia, and  coordinator of the Award Committee.  

As a continuous project, the impact of the Global IT Award extends  far beyond the efforts to have Armenia properly placed on the world's  ICT map and thus to better enhance the country's image globally. The  biggest outcome of the award is that here in Armenia we host true  innovators, whose breakthrough inventions have defined the path of  global development, and that these people lecture for the Armenia ICT  community and younger generation. The laureates of the award, just  like the geniuses of all times, have never mimicked anyone, have  never chosen roads treaded before, and have never tried to fit into  the existing rules of the game. Armenia has the intellectual  potential, which will not only foster its ICT development as the  country's competitive advantage but will also help to create a new  quality in the industry to stand as equal by the side of the ICT  giants, in the long run, "VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian   said.  

The award was founded on 6 July, 2009 by the Decree of the President  of the Republic of Armenia and is granted annually to an individual,  whose internationally acclaimed contributions to IT have resulted in  near-revolutionary or revolutionary developments that have positively  impacted or hold the potential to positively impact the history.  These investments may have different forms: technological,  educational, business and financial. 

This is the 9th year of the award. It consists of golden medal  symbolizing Armenia and high technologies and a symbolic souvenir.  

The awarding ceremony is held by the award committee and the laureate  is chosen by the international commission.  

The winners of recent years are prominent figures like:  Former CEO  of "Intel Corporation" Craig Barrett, the Co-Founder of "Apple Inc."  Steve Wozniak, Chairman Emeritus of "Synaptics, Inc." and President  of "Federico and Elvia Faggin" Foundation Federico Faggin, former CEO  of "Hitachi" Tsugio Makimoto, Chief Development Officer of "Sysco  Systems" Mario Mazzola, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of  "Kaspersky Lab" Eugene Kaspersky, one of the founding fathers of  Internet and CEO at "Open-Root" Louis Pouzin and the founder of "Nest  labs", the creator of iPod Tony Fadell.  

Named an Innovation Agent by Fast Company, James Truchard, president  and CEO, cofounded National Instruments in 1976 and has pioneered the  way scientists and engineers solve the world's grand engineering  challenges.  

As one of Forbes' America's Favorite Bosses, Dr. James Truchard,  commonly known around NI as Dr. T, has led the company from a  three-man team to a multinational organization recognized as a  Fortune 100 Best Places to Work and one of the top 25 "World's Best  Multinational Workplaces" by the Great Places to Work Institute.  

Under Truchard's leadership, the company's long-term vision, known as  the 100 year plan, and focus on improving the world by providing  tools that accelerate productivity, innovation, and discovery, has  led to strong, consistent company growth and success of its broad  base of customers, employees, suppliers, and shareholders. Learn more  about the NI company story at ni.com/company.  

Elected to the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and the  National Academy of Engineering, Truchard has also been inducted into  Electronic Design's Engineering Hall of Fame and has earned the  distinction of being elected an IEEE Fellow.  Additionally, Truchard  has been recognized with the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate  Citizenship for his community involvement with organizations  including: the Engineering Foundation Advisory Council, The  University of Texas at Austin Chancellor's Council, Austin Software  Council, and FIRST Robotics.  

Truchard's personal passion for gardening and photography has led him  to writing a gardening book that he plans on giving to non-profits  for their use fundraising.  

Truchard holds a doctorate in electrical engineering, as well as a  master's degree and bachelor's degree in physics, all from the  University of Texas at Austin. Truchard earned his master's and  doctorate degrees while working full-time as the managing director of  the acoustical measurements division at the UT Applied Research   Laboratories.  

On January 1, 2017, Truchard retired as president, CEO, and  cofounder. He continues to hold his position as chairman of the  board.