Synopsys on Armenia’s IT Future

Arka news agency reports that according to Mr. Rich Goldman, General Director of Synopsys Armenia, the poor quality of the Internet infrastructure hampers ICT development in Armenia. He stressed the necessity to develop the Internet – to raise speed and bandwidth and reduce the cost. Certain steps have been made recently in this direction, but much remains to be done.

Mr. Goldman also thinks that favorable infrastructure, including uninterrupted power supply and modern warehouses, should be established to attract major IT corporations to Armenia.

Among other weaknesses he pointed out the problems in customs service, fiscal administration, and education. A basic education system exists but the problem is the lack of experimental basis and scientific developments [?].

According to him, these problems can be solved and progress in IT can be achieved if the country shows a strong will and a sold determination to proceed with IT development.

According to Armenian Ministry of Economy, around 190 IT companies are currently operating in the country. Synopsys entered the Armenian market in October 2004 following its acquisition of a local company.
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Selling Europe to Turkish Students

Turkish Daily News reports on the activities of a lobby-ish research center; the EU Research Center of Akdeniz University or AKVAM, based in Turkey's Mediterranean city of Antalya.

AKVAM was established in 2003 to keep abreast of EU integration activities and to support the development of relations between Turkey and EU member states. Its advisory board is made up of academics as well as representatives from the public and private sectors and nongovernmental organizations. One of its missions is to reverse misconceptions among Turkish university students about Europe and the EU.

Assistant Professor Erol Esen, director of AKVAM, told the Turkish Daily News that “With every project and activity we try to change prejudices about the EU … I believe this is essentially an issue of the public rather than politicians: maintenance of democracy, peace and welfare mainly concern the public”.

AKVAM holds regular seminars and provides courses and consultancy services about the EU and encourages university academics and students to join EU-supported programs. “What we do is contribute to interaction and dialogue,” said Esen. “The more people get to know each other, the more the ice between them thaws”.

He said the prejudices between the Turkish and European publics actually stemmed from the myths tracing back through history and that the debates raging over in Europe excluded modern Turkey.

“We are tying to bring new content to the ongoing debate. We are trying to pull the public into this debate, … In the end they will decide to join the EU or not. We can become a member of the EU only if the public, not the politicians, opt for it”.
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Moscow University Enters Azerbaijan

The big news in Baku this year, at the beginning of new academic year, is the opening of a branch campus by Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU).

The MSU – Baku plans to offer various programs such as Physics, Biology, Psychology and Journalism. According to Professor Nargiz Pashayeva (in picture below), the newly appointed Dean of the branch campus, “These are basic fields of science and the opening of additional programs will enable us to improve the quality of education, increase the employability of youth, and raise the status of science in the society”.

According to her, the new branch campus will also enhance Azerbaijani-Russian relations, and solidify the civil society in Azerbaijan [?]. She thanked Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for his contribution to the project. “Ilham Aliyev has proved that he is the President of every single Azerbaijani citizen. He is the irreplaceable leader of the revived Azerbaijan”.

Ms. Pashayeva claimed that the diplomas delivered by the branch campus will be accepted in most foreign countries because MSU’s degrees "are recognized all over the world".

An adamant Russophile, Ms. Pashayeva believes that “Russian education has always been in demand in the entire world, including in Azerbaijan”.

Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Russia and Poland, Mr. Bulbuloglu who attended the opening ceremony said that he is sure Azerbaijani youth who receive good Russian education will put their knowledge into construction of statehood.

The education at the Baku branch will be based on the mother campus curricula. Students will be taught mainly by MSU faculty and graduates will receive MSU diplomas.

Each of the current 3 faculties – Languages, Chemistry and Applied Mathematics – has enrolled 25 students for the first year of operations. The construction of a new building will start shortly to house 6 additional departments.
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