Foreign expert is amazed by Armenian TUMO center, urges to introduce programming in elementary education

YEREVAN, JUNE 24, ARMENPRESS. Igor Ovcharenko, regional head of the “Seedstars World” competition has his vision on solutions of problematic aspects of Armenian technological field.

In an interview with ARMENPRESS, he said ensuring necessary resources for the IT sphere can be done only by including entrepreneurial and programming lessons in schools.

“There is an international organization, which is founding “code club” for kids, where children are taught programming from early age. Technological education must be done from an early age, then it has to be continued in higher classes, universities. I know that many organizations are preparing professional on their own initiative, they form small incubators within the organization, where projects are implemented. This is a correct approach, but if we are speaking about institutional approach, then it must be done in schools from early age”, Ovcharenko said.

To an observation that engineering labs are being formed in Armenian schools, Ovcharenko responded with admiration.

“That’s amazing, there is no similar thing in other countries, I am simply amazed by “Tumo”, but my message will be to include programming in elementary classes. The state must contribute to this, as well as organizations such as Microsoft, who can train professionals, who will teach students in their turn”, he said.

As for the models of cooperation between the state and startups, Ovcharenko said it would be right to involve international organizations, who will promote the investment of startup solutions in the state system.

“Seedstars World”, which operates in 65 countries, is planning to expand its activities and open branches in different countries.