Wednesday, 27 April 2016
PM Chairs ITDSC Meeting
Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan chaired a regular meeting of the IT Development Support Council. The Council first referred to the problems associated with the newly graduated specialists’ practical work in IT companies, and the proposal to amend the relevant article of the Labor Code.
During the exchange of views that followed, the speakers came up with a number of proposals and recommendations. Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan proposed to hold further discussions on the basis of the arguments presented in collaboration with the concerned agencies and submit appropriate recommendations based on their findings.
Then the meeting discussed a proposal to make mandatory the academic discipline of Physics in the list of entrance examinations at physics-mathematics and technical faculties of Armenian universities. It was noted that the general educational system in Armenia provides graduates with sufficient knowledge in physics, which ensures adequate level of education at local and foreign universities. At the same time, the council members emphasized that the level of practical skills and capabilities of specialists in the IT, telecommunications and engineering sectors depends on their actual knowledge in Physics.
In this connection, the Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Education and Science to consider the above proposal while drafting the list of professions and entrance exams in 2017-2018.
The Council next discussed the need for expanding the scope of funding for technological entrepreneurship ecosystem. In particular, it was proposed to apply international experience, fill the gap in the provision of funding for the establishment of ideas, initiate a refundable matching grants program, in order to promote the commercialization and marketing of innovative start-up IT companies’ products. The project is expected to result in innovative technological solutions for the growth of companies and stimulate entrepreneurship and technological development.
Highlighting the program, Prime Minister Abrahamyan instructed the Ministry of Economy to reconsider the issue and submit a proposal on the possibility of additional round of grant-mediated financing for start-up companies’ innovative ideas.
The Council discussed issues related to the re-registration of companies. Justice Minister Arpine Hovhannisyan said to have kept these issues in spotlight. Legislative changes will be implemented in the near future to clearly specify the steps envisaged for company re-registration, mergers and divisions so that the competent authority might not exercise discretionary powers. In conclusion, the Council referred to working groups’ rules of procedure and other technical issues.
