ArmInfo. Until the end of 2019, "Armath" engineering laboratories will operate in 50% of schools in Armenia. This is stated in the official message of the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UITE).
In particular, the report says that by the decision of the government, in order to expand the program, 834 million drams were provided to UITE, thanks to which by the end of the year the number of laboratories will be doubled and will reach 580. 5 of them are planned to be opened in Yerevan, the remainder in the schools of Lori, Shirak and Tavush regions.
At present, there are "Armath" 284 engineering laboratories in the schools of Armenia, in which 7,500 students are involved.
According to the source, in 2018, UITE was provided 180 million drams for the development and expansion of the program, in 2019-1.2 billion drams, of which 352.2 million drams for salaries, and the remainder for the acquisition and implementation of laboratories.
To note, in the "Armath" engineering laboratories children are taught skills in creating games, cartoons, in mathematical calculations using the programs "Fox" and "Turtle", as well as in modeling and printing three-dimensional volumes. In accordance with the memorandum of cooperation signed between the Union of Information Technology Enterprises (UITE) and Ucom, the latter invests in order to open about 70 engineering clubs-laboratories called "Armath" in 9 regions of Armenia. The project aims to promote technical education in all schools of the Armenian communities, aims to promote interest in modern high technologies among students, the early development of engineering thinking and in the preparation of competent students.
The project provides an opportunity for practical support in the integration of highly qualified IT specialists in the Armenian and world markets, in the exchange of experience between them, as well as in attracting large investments in the IT field.
It should be noted that the software packages developed by the clubs, as well as equipment schemes, are in the open domain. Computer programs and systems are developed in Armenian as far as possible, and within the framework of the project, when purchasing equipment and software, preference is given to local manufacturers, a striking example of which are high-quality three-dimensional (3D) printers, mini- computers, a collection of robotics and other devices.