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SERGO MELIKYAN: ONE SHOULD REVIVE THE SYSTEM OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION
arminfo
Tuesday, June 26, 15:06
ArmInfo's Interview with Director of Integrator Ltd., Candidate of
Technical Sciences Sergo Melikyan
The unique company Integrator Ltd. has been operating in Yerevan since
May 2008. It develops and manufactures high-tech laboratory equipment
for hands-on study of a whole range of educational subjects, including
Strength of Materials, Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Electric
Motors and Machines, etc. The company also develops SCADA systems,
which are industrial control and electric equipment diagnostic tools.
Mr. Melikyan, what idea was the creation of your company based on?
In 2007 a branch of the National Instruments (USA) opened in Armenia.
On its initiative the students of technical universities of Armenia
started studying the modern engineering technologies in the sphere
of automation on the basis of up-to-date devices. At the same time,
the established engineers were retrained. Thus, with the entry
of National Instruments in Armenia, the recovery of engineering
started in Armenia. As a result, in addition to our enterprise,
10 more companies have been set up in the country, which conduct
research and engineering activities throughout the world (Russia,
Arab countries, India, Malaysia, Singapore, etc.).
In 2008 Integrator Ltd. designed a training stand for the practical
classes on the Strength of Materials. Later on, by developing the
existing stands and creating new ones, we designed 12 stands for
various subjects (Strength of Materials, Electrical Engineering,
Electronics, Electric Motors and Machines, etc). Initially, our
customs were the universities of Moscow, and in 2011 we entered the
markets of Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Singapore, Belarus.
Did Integrator Ltd. participate in the exhibitions organized in
Armenia or abroad? What benefits did the participation give you?
In 2009-2011 the company participated in the annual DigiŠ¢ec
exhibitions in Yerevan. We signed up orders from the Yerevan State
University and the State Engineering University of Armenia for
production of training stands for Strength of Materials, Electrical
Engineering, Electronics, Electric Motors and Machines, and received
other proposals from the educational establishments. In May 2012 we
attended an exhibition abroad for the first time. It was an exhibition
of training stands in Beirut (Lebanon). Our specialists also visited
several higher educational establishments in Moscow to discuss the
possible orders for production of training equipment.
What measures do you think should be taken to set up the laboratory
equipment of Integrator Ltd. at the Armenian higher and vocational
technical institutions?
I can say that the Armenian higher and vocational technical
institutions have very few laboratory facilities, especially,
up-to-date ones, to hold practical classes. I think first and foremost
the higher educational establishments and the Ministry of Education
should be concerned over it. As for Integrator Ltd., we are ready to
fulfill any order for laboratory equipment at the level of the latest
scientific and technological achievements.
Will the equipment of Integrator used in the National Engineering
Laboratory, which will be set up on the base of the Engineering
University by late 2012?
Certainly, it will, especially as the themes of our stands are referred
to the University's curricula.
In case of growth in demand for the equipment f Integrator Ltd.,
has the company got a potential for expansion?
Certainly, it has. At first, we had big difficulties in selecting
engineering personnel, but now we can already choose specialists
among the graduates of our universities. For instance, a specialist,
who has received a Master's degree this year, is currently working
in the company. I think this is the result of the training courses
for engineers held by the Yerevan branch of National Instruments.
Does the company acquire components in Armenia or abroad?
The company cooperates with tool companies of Armenia, and
everything regarding the mechanics and the appearance of the stands
is manufactured in the country. The electronic printed circuit boards
and all the electronic components and devices are made abroad.
I am very much concerned over the fact that only specialists of the
pension age have remained at the companies of machine building and
the allied sectors, and nobody is coming to replace them. I think it
is necessary to revive the technical colleges and vocational schools
and to raise their level.
Can these spheres recover in a new way?
The recovery takes place due to the enthusiasts' efforts. It is
necessary to organize a market of orders in Armenia. As regards the
taxation and customs policy, I think simplification and reduction
of the period of the customs procedures when importing small lots
of goods for research purposes, as well as simplification of taking
the income tax, may promote development of the abovementioned sectors
in Armenia. I think that the machine building and the allied sectors
have been restored both thanks to and contrary to the state policy,
because imperfect customs and tax legislation which does not take
into consideration the specifics of the technological business.
Thanks for the interview!
From: Baghdasarian
arminfo
Tuesday, June 26, 15:06
ArmInfo's Interview with Director of Integrator Ltd., Candidate of
Technical Sciences Sergo Melikyan
The unique company Integrator Ltd. has been operating in Yerevan since
May 2008. It develops and manufactures high-tech laboratory equipment
for hands-on study of a whole range of educational subjects, including
Strength of Materials, Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Electric
Motors and Machines, etc. The company also develops SCADA systems,
which are industrial control and electric equipment diagnostic tools.
Mr. Melikyan, what idea was the creation of your company based on?
In 2007 a branch of the National Instruments (USA) opened in Armenia.
On its initiative the students of technical universities of Armenia
started studying the modern engineering technologies in the sphere
of automation on the basis of up-to-date devices. At the same time,
the established engineers were retrained. Thus, with the entry
of National Instruments in Armenia, the recovery of engineering
started in Armenia. As a result, in addition to our enterprise,
10 more companies have been set up in the country, which conduct
research and engineering activities throughout the world (Russia,
Arab countries, India, Malaysia, Singapore, etc.).
In 2008 Integrator Ltd. designed a training stand for the practical
classes on the Strength of Materials. Later on, by developing the
existing stands and creating new ones, we designed 12 stands for
various subjects (Strength of Materials, Electrical Engineering,
Electronics, Electric Motors and Machines, etc). Initially, our
customs were the universities of Moscow, and in 2011 we entered the
markets of Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Singapore, Belarus.
Did Integrator Ltd. participate in the exhibitions organized in
Armenia or abroad? What benefits did the participation give you?
In 2009-2011 the company participated in the annual DigiŠ¢ec
exhibitions in Yerevan. We signed up orders from the Yerevan State
University and the State Engineering University of Armenia for
production of training stands for Strength of Materials, Electrical
Engineering, Electronics, Electric Motors and Machines, and received
other proposals from the educational establishments. In May 2012 we
attended an exhibition abroad for the first time. It was an exhibition
of training stands in Beirut (Lebanon). Our specialists also visited
several higher educational establishments in Moscow to discuss the
possible orders for production of training equipment.
What measures do you think should be taken to set up the laboratory
equipment of Integrator Ltd. at the Armenian higher and vocational
technical institutions?
I can say that the Armenian higher and vocational technical
institutions have very few laboratory facilities, especially,
up-to-date ones, to hold practical classes. I think first and foremost
the higher educational establishments and the Ministry of Education
should be concerned over it. As for Integrator Ltd., we are ready to
fulfill any order for laboratory equipment at the level of the latest
scientific and technological achievements.
Will the equipment of Integrator used in the National Engineering
Laboratory, which will be set up on the base of the Engineering
University by late 2012?
Certainly, it will, especially as the themes of our stands are referred
to the University's curricula.
In case of growth in demand for the equipment f Integrator Ltd.,
has the company got a potential for expansion?
Certainly, it has. At first, we had big difficulties in selecting
engineering personnel, but now we can already choose specialists
among the graduates of our universities. For instance, a specialist,
who has received a Master's degree this year, is currently working
in the company. I think this is the result of the training courses
for engineers held by the Yerevan branch of National Instruments.
Does the company acquire components in Armenia or abroad?
The company cooperates with tool companies of Armenia, and
everything regarding the mechanics and the appearance of the stands
is manufactured in the country. The electronic printed circuit boards
and all the electronic components and devices are made abroad.
I am very much concerned over the fact that only specialists of the
pension age have remained at the companies of machine building and
the allied sectors, and nobody is coming to replace them. I think it
is necessary to revive the technical colleges and vocational schools
and to raise their level.
Can these spheres recover in a new way?
The recovery takes place due to the enthusiasts' efforts. It is
necessary to organize a market of orders in Armenia. As regards the
taxation and customs policy, I think simplification and reduction
of the period of the customs procedures when importing small lots
of goods for research purposes, as well as simplification of taking
the income tax, may promote development of the abovementioned sectors
in Armenia. I think that the machine building and the allied sectors
have been restored both thanks to and contrary to the state policy,
because imperfect customs and tax legislation which does not take
into consideration the specifics of the technological business.
Thanks for the interview!
From: Baghdasarian