ArmInfo.Philip Morris has invested about $ 10 million to create a PMI Science research center at the National Polytechnic University of Armenia. According to the press service of the Ministry of High-Tech Industry, 19 Armenian scientists work in the center, who together with the Swiss center carry out projects in such areas as databases, technologies and materials science.
In parallel with this, the latter cooperate with 120 scientists from Armenian universities and research centers. The company will allocate $ 8 million next year, according to the source.
Acting Rector of the National Polytechnic University of Armenia Ruben Akhgashyan expressed the opinion that in parallel with the rapid development of technologies, implementation of educational programs can be possible thanks to this format of cooperation with the private sector. At the same time, he expressed the hope that the PMI Science model will become an example for the creation of such centers for the development of technological thought.
Natalya Mayorova, General Manager of Philip Morris, noted that the opening of the Center is the result of three years of work. She emphasized that the research center was opened in Armenia due to the fact that the environment that has formed in this country is consonant with the main approaches and principles of the company. PMI Science Center is the third in the world after Switzerland and Singapore opened for investments by Philip Morris.
The research center's partner is the Enterprise Incubator Foundation. To recall, in December 2017, the National Polytechnic University of Armenia and the Philip Morris company signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The document is aimed at providing assistance to research programs of universities. The memorandum with the NPUA provides for the creation of a research center on the territory of the university.