From Armenia in brief: Global Innovation Forum for Education and Development kicks off in Yerevan

Published: Saturday October 25, 2008

Prime Minister Sarkisian at the Global Innovation Forum.

The Global Innovation Forum for Education and Development organized by the UN Global Alliance for ICT and Development (UN GAID), UN e-Leaders Committee, Athgo International and the Ministry of Economy of Armenia took place in Yerevan October 21-24.

The forum was attended by students and young entrepreneurs from several countries, where they discussed telecommunication in the context of education and innovations. According to Mediamax Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian at the opening of the forum said that the government of Armenia is striving to determine the country's real potential in the sphere of information technologies. He stressed the importance of developing this sector because "as opposed to our neighbors, we have no resources other than the intellectual one."

The Minister of Economy Nerses Yeritsyan said that Armenia is striving to become a global player in the IT sphere and that the government is stimulating development in this direction.

According to the organizers of the forum, the objective is to concentrate on the basic tools that facilitate the creation of innovative solutions, particularly, systematic and quality educational opportunities. Currently, proper education is not widely available in developing regions, thus slowing innovation and hampering the implementation of existing ICT. Consequently, the forum will focus on ways to improve educational opportunities and quality through ICT, specifically focusing on building ICT skills among young people. To this end the impact of access, connectivity and relevant local content in meeting educational and analytical needs will be examined and methods to overcome the obstacles discussed and presented.