By Arpine Sargsyan
Gyumri Information Technology Center’s MLab, a program supported by Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF), began its mobile technology training courses this spring. The aim of the trainings is to develop mobile programming skills in the Shirak region.
During a two-month pilot course, which was held during GTech’s winter break, students were taught program design by experts from Yerevan-based programming companies specializing in iOS/iPhone, Blackberry, and Android application program development. Forty students who are mostly from Gyumri and the surrounding Shirak communities are currently involved in the program.
Through the work of the students, two mobile applications have been developed and with the support of EIF, both have been made available for download in the Apple App Store. GTech is in the process of organizing a “training of trainers” where Blackberry programming experts from abroad will teach mobile technology skills in an effort to create more local specialists.
Similar to GTech’s Web Technologies Department, the new Mobile Technologies curriculum requires students to complete two years of coursework, which includes lessons in C++ and Java programming, as well as project management and various other related specialized subjects.
“The final goal of the new Mobile Technologies Department is to create a business team that can work on the many mobile-focused development projects that we have been receiving from abroad,” says GTech Director Amalya Yeghoyan.
Amalya also mentioned that students are signing contracts, which require them to work in Gyumri after graduation even though the present employment situation is bleak. With the formation of the Gyumri Technopark, however, she hopes that all of the graduates will be able to stay in Gyumri and help build the local economy.
A new GTech curriculum aims to boost the capacity
for mobile technology development in the Shirak region.
Credit: FAR Staff