The President of Armenia visited HIT and signed an MOU

 

President of Armenia, Dr. Armen Sarkissian visited HIT and signed an MOU regarding academic collaborations.

 

from left to right: Dr. Armen Sarkissian - President of Armenia, Prof. Eduard Yakubov, President of HIT, signing the MOU

Photo:Tal Kirshenbaum

The Armenian President's visit was part of his formal visit to Israel as one of 41 world leaders who came to attend the "International Holocaust Forum" entitled “Remembering the Holocaust: Fighting Antisemitism,”. The Forum took place at Yad Vashem to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and International Holocaust Remembrance Day. 

 

from left to right: Dr. Armen Sarkissian - President of Armenia, Prof. Eduard Yakubov, President of HIT

Photo:Tal Kirshenbaum

 

In the reception held at HIT in honor of Armenia's President, Prof. Eduard Yakubov, President of HIT said that Armenia and Israel share common history. "Both our nations share similar history, mourning and remembering the unbearable loss of millions in the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide.

 

from left to right: Dr. Armen Sarkissian - President of Armenia, Prof. Eduard Yakubov, President of HIT

Photo:Tal Kirshenbaum

"Armenia has chosen modernism and democracy and it is well known that the academia has a major and significant role in leading the country towards a better future. Here, at HIT we are shaping the future for already 50 years, collaborating with the industry and society at large, advancing our country and developing and creating academic ties with many countries abroad." 

 

from left to right: Dr. Armen Sarkissian - President of Armenia, Prof. Eduard Yakubov, President of HIT

Photo:Tal Kirshenbaum

"On a personal level, we both come from the field of applied mathematics, and both have dealt with mathematical modelling of complex systems".
HIT's President said that HIT strongly believes in collaborations: "we consider your visit here as the first step towards a true friendship between Israel and Armenia as well as between HIT and Armenian academic institutions, which will hopefully result in creating mutual plans and programs for the benefit of both our countries."

Prof. Yakubov concluded his welcome speech saying: Mr. President, let us work together towards a better future to both our beautiful countries and the young generations, quoting the words of the 16th American President, Abraham Lincoln : "The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

 

Dr. Armen Sarkissian - President of Armenia lecturing at HIT

Photo:Tal Kirshenbaum

Dr. Sarkissian said upon his arrival  that he is happy to be at HIT and mentioned that he was already once in Israel as a young diplomat, 27 years ago, when he had met with several Israel diplomats among them the late Mr. Shimon Peres, who had become since then a dear friend.
"Armenia and Israel share common history through painful and sad times with the extinction of millions in the Holocaust and The Armenian Genocide. Yet, both nations share also the fact that despite their small size they have a remarkable heritage and greatly cherish family and religious values.''

 

Dr. Sarkissian gave a guest lecture at HIT titled: "Geo-Political Reality in the Era of Artificial  Intelligence" in front of HIT's students, staff and guests, and reviewed his personal career as a scientist and later a politician. "I see the future world as a technological environment where today's common reality will no longer be relevant. We have to think about new ways to educate the young generation who already lives in two realities: the regular one and the virtual one and is already a consumer of vast amounts of knowledge. These generations will need new methods of education and learning". 

 

from left to right: Mr. Samuel Goldberg - Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Armen Sarkissian - President of Armenia, Prof. Eduard Yakubov, President of HIT, Prof. Pridor Adir - Chairman of the Executive Committee, Prof. David Shoikhet - Vice President for Academic Affairs 

Photo:Tal Kirshenbaum

In his vision, Dr. Sarkissian plans building a future city which will be a platform for implementing future R&D together with advanced AI technologies.

He said that Armenia has already signed agreements with over 12 major Int'l companies that have shown interest in this upcoming venture. He also said that he sees HIT and the "Technion" in Haifa as Armenia's major partners for cooperation in this venture.

 

from left to right: Prof. Eduard Yakubov, President of HIT, Dr. Armen Sarkissian - President of Armenia

Photo:Tal Kirshenbaum

The Armenian President was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Nouneh Sarkissian as well as by: Mr. Eli Belotsercovsky, Non-resident Ambassador to Armenia and Moldova, Israel MFA ,Mr. Grigor Hovhannisyan ,Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Armenia, Mr. Armen Sambatyan, Ambassador of Armenia to Israel and Mr. Stepan Kartashyan ,Head of External Dept. of The Office to the President .

During his visit Dr. Sarkissian toured HIT's Jubilee Exhibition at the Vitrina Gallery, showcasing the institute's major achievement in the past 50 years and was given a presentation of the Social Robot "Neo", by the Faculty of Instructional Technologies. 

 

 

Additional links:

An article on the Armenian President's website

Posted: 24/01/2020