The first Armenian state award for contribution to the development of information technology was given to Mr. Craig Barrett, the former Chairman and Chief Executive of Intel Corporation, the world’s leading producer of microprocessors. The idea of the award came from the Armenian branch of Synopsis, the global IT company, and this year’s award was financed by Vivacell MTS, the leading mobile phone operator in Armenia.
In the awarding ceremony that took place in the presidential palace on 28June 2010, President Serge Sargsian said, “This Award is Armenia’s modest contribution to the global development of information technologies,” and expressed hope that it will also “attract attention of the Armenian youth toward information technologies.”
“We will encourage their studies and work in this area, we will search for and find new ways and means to do it,” he said. “Today, in the presence of Mr. Barrett I am sending a message to our youth: The future belongs to those who are endowed with knowledge, kindness and creativity, who rely on intellectual powers and possess the art of finding solutions,” Sargsian added.
Armenian students were not, however, the only group who were invited to be inspired by Mr. Barrett’s achievements. “This is my idea of the modern businessman,” Mr. Sargsian said. “I want the Armenian businessmen to consider this example. I want all our entrepreneurs to be like that … It’s not about benevolence; it is about the ability to assume responsibility, about the ability to refrain from short-lived and momentary profit if in the long-run it can jeopardize the well-being of the society. It is about not surrendering to the temptations of big money – greed and arrogance.”
Teachers, not Computers, are Magic
Azatutyun.am online news agency reports that, in a news conference the following day, Mr. Barrett emphasized the importance of good education for the development of IT in Armenia which has been declared a top economic priority by the government.
“Computers are not magic in the classroom,” he said. “Teachers are magic in the classroom.”
“I think obviously there is the opportunity to grow the IT industry on the basis of the educational background,” Barrett said when asked about the future of the Armenian IT sector.
News.am online news agency reports that when he was asked about Armenia’s education, he responded that he had met with students of the State Engineering University of Armenia and got an impression that Armenian students are “bright, aggressive and attentive. In short, they do not differ from students in other countries.”
He also said that he is aware of Intel Corporation’s interest in investing in Armenia’s education system and organizing trainings for teachers. “Intel always tries to employ the cleverest and brightest people,” he added.
The former Intel chief described as “very refreshing” his conversations with President Sargsian and other senior officials. As far as IT is concerned, they are all “speaking the same language,” he said.
In the awarding ceremony that took place in the presidential palace on 28June 2010, President Serge Sargsian said, “This Award is Armenia’s modest contribution to the global development of information technologies,” and expressed hope that it will also “attract attention of the Armenian youth toward information technologies.”
“We will encourage their studies and work in this area, we will search for and find new ways and means to do it,” he said. “Today, in the presence of Mr. Barrett I am sending a message to our youth: The future belongs to those who are endowed with knowledge, kindness and creativity, who rely on intellectual powers and possess the art of finding solutions,” Sargsian added.
Armenian students were not, however, the only group who were invited to be inspired by Mr. Barrett’s achievements. “This is my idea of the modern businessman,” Mr. Sargsian said. “I want the Armenian businessmen to consider this example. I want all our entrepreneurs to be like that … It’s not about benevolence; it is about the ability to assume responsibility, about the ability to refrain from short-lived and momentary profit if in the long-run it can jeopardize the well-being of the society. It is about not surrendering to the temptations of big money – greed and arrogance.”
Teachers, not Computers, are Magic
Azatutyun.am online news agency reports that, in a news conference the following day, Mr. Barrett emphasized the importance of good education for the development of IT in Armenia which has been declared a top economic priority by the government.
“Computers are not magic in the classroom,” he said. “Teachers are magic in the classroom.”
“I think obviously there is the opportunity to grow the IT industry on the basis of the educational background,” Barrett said when asked about the future of the Armenian IT sector.
News.am online news agency reports that when he was asked about Armenia’s education, he responded that he had met with students of the State Engineering University of Armenia and got an impression that Armenian students are “bright, aggressive and attentive. In short, they do not differ from students in other countries.”
He also said that he is aware of Intel Corporation’s interest in investing in Armenia’s education system and organizing trainings for teachers. “Intel always tries to employ the cleverest and brightest people,” he added.
The former Intel chief described as “very refreshing” his conversations with President Sargsian and other senior officials. As far as IT is concerned, they are all “speaking the same language,” he said.
