Armenia has made great progress in semiconductor design, Hovik Musaelyan, Executive Director, Synopsys Armenia, told NEWS.am-Innovation. He pointed out that semiconductor design mainly accounts for the company’s success.

“The IT development algorithm is quite clear. The country has made serious progress in semiconductor design so the government support should be directed to this segment rather that to the entire IT sector,” Musaelyan said. Armenian officials often state that the IT sector is a priority, but they have not so far decided which particular segment should be supported, he said. “The IT sector is very large and it is difficult to compete with American and Indian companies. So the Government has to decide which particular segment it will support,” Musaelyan said. He pointed out that the company has created 500 jobs over the last few years. With government support the company can increase this number tenfold within a few years. Musaelyan said that further development requires educational reforms, tax benefits for companies and infrastructure development.

“Armenia’s higher schools do not train specialists that would be efficient immediately after being employed. The company deals with this problem by cooperating with higher schools,” Musaelyan said.

At present Synopsys Armenia is cooperating with four higher schools. A Semiconductor Design Department has been opened at the State Engineering University of Armenia. The Department is located at Synopsys Armenia, and students can specialize in chip design.

T.P.