Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the EU TUMO Convergence Center for Engineering and Applied Science.

It is being built near the Hrazdan Gorge in Yerevan, in the immediate vicinity of the existing Tumo Center. The building, which covers a total area of 18,000 m², was designed by the world-renowned MVRDV architectural firm. The complex will include Tumo Labs with educational, engineering and incubation programs, 42 Yerevan, a local branch of the French programming school, research and application laboratories, collaborative and co-financing platforms, a conference center and business areas.

The project is implemented in line with the general logic of the Government of the Republic of Armenia’s reforms to develop technological education in Armenia. The cost of the project is 42.5 million euros, of which 12.5 million euros is a grant provided by the EU to the Simonian Educational Foundation within the framework of the “EU for Innovation” program signed between the Republic of Armenia and the European Union. The construction of the TUMO Convergence Center will contribute to the enhancement of Armenia’s position as a technological and engineering center. As a result, according to those responsible, a unique STEM hub in the region will be formed, new opportunities for investment and business cooperation will be created, and education and skills in line with global standards will be provided.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made a speech and thanked the project implementers: EU partners, the Tumo Center, and the project author. In his speech, the Prime Minister touched upon the distance between the people and the future and noted that in order to overcome it, the future must be brought and placed in the present, because if the future is not in the present, it practically does not exist. “This is a very important point, and the thing that changes the most in our thinking is that the future is not somewhere far away, the future is today, because whatever future we create today, that future will exist,” said the Prime Minister.

Nikol Pashinyan noted that today in the Republic of Armenia, a good life is available. “A good life is available to all those people who can and want to follow the path of education, regardless of age. And on the contrary, it is inaccessible to anyone who does not adopt education on the path to a good life.”

In conclusion, the Prime Minister emphasized that this project is about a good and beautiful life and once again expressed his gratitude to those who are building this path and those who will set foot on it.

Since 2020, Tumo Lab and 42 Yerevan have provided innovative education to thousands of beneficiaries and implemented more than 55 projects with local and international companies, creating an active environment for knowledge transfer and technological product development.