Zhanna Andreasyan acquainted herself with the large-scale educational reforms implemented at NPUA

The Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports (MoESCS) Zhanna Andreasyan today visited the new building of the basic school of the National Polytechnic University of Armenia, then the pre-school and high school, visited a number of university buildings, and toured the areas being reconstructed and modernized.

The Minister was accompanied by Sargis Hayotsyan, Chairman of the Higher Education and Science Committee, and Gor Vardanyan, Rector of NPUA.

Recently, the 2026–2031 strategy of the National Polytechnic University of Armenia was adopted, which, according to NPUA Rector Gor Vardanyan, is aimed at the comprehensive development and advancement of education, from preschool to higher education.

NPUA's 8th building has been fundamentally renovated and will serve as the university's main STEM school. It was noted that the building was once intended for the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, but as a result of the merger of faculties, a decision was made to allocate it to the basic school for the purpose of organizing education for grades 1-9. The basic school includes 36 classrooms, workspaces intended for the teaching staff, as well as educational and industrial laboratories where students will have the opportunity to carry out project works in the STEM direction.

The school has been capitally renovated with high-quality and natural materials, featuring special design solutions. A modern and comfortable environment has been created, aimed at making the educational process more engaging and effective. It was also noted that the school will have the capacity to accept around 600 students; four classes are intended for each age group, with 16 students in each.

The school's opening ceremony is planned to take place ahead of the new academic year. The Minister was also presented with the final stage of the construction works and the process of furnishing the property. The school will have a separate dining hall, providing four meals a day. According to Gor Vardanyan, the menu was developed by specialists, and the hall has been furnished with appropriate equipment, which will make it possible to serve more than 600 people simultaneously. A separate auditorium, a sports hall, and outdoor play areas are also planned. According to the assessment of the NPUA Rector, the basic school has become an important component of the complete educational chain, considering that the foundation already had a pre-school, a high school, as well as middle and higher vocational educational institutions.

The ESCS Minister also visited the NPUA pre-school, where about 40 children are developing logical and applied skills through STEM-oriented robotics clubs. The reconstructed section of the pre-school was presented to the Minister: it is planned to provide preschool education for more than 100 children starting from the age of 2.

The activities of the NPUA high school were also presented, as well as the students' graduation and group project works. The Minister also acquainted herself with the reconstruction program of the sports complex, the academic park reconstructed with the support of PMI Science, the startup incubation and acceleration hub, visited the chair of design and fine arts, as well as engineering graphics, and talked with students and the teaching staff.

During the visit, university students also demonstrated a graduation project developed with A7 systems, which is designed for the automation of irrigation of the university's courtyard area.

The programs for re-equipping and technological modernization of the classrooms were also presented. The reforms are aimed at the proper holding of the annual quality assurance conference of the European University Association, which will take place at the National Polytechnic University of Armenia from November 18-20.

The design solutions, measurements, and selection of materials for the infrastructure projects are carried out exclusively by the university's students, teaching, and administrative staff. Zhanna Andreasyan emphasized the importance of the large-scale reforms implemented at the university and stressed that the provision of modern and proper conditions plays an important role in the effective organization of education, the uncovering of students' potential, and the formation of a competitive educational environment. The ESCS Minister also highly appreciated the fact that university students and the professional community are actively involved in the implemented programs, emphasizing that such an approach contributes to the strengthening of practical education, the development of creative thinking, and the formation of professional skills.

The completion of the construction and infrastructure programs implemented at NPUA is planned by the end of the current year.