On September 16, the first year graduates of the “Quanta” Master’s Degree Program in Quantum and Mesoscopic Physics were handed their diplomas during an award ceremony attended by wife of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Executive Director of the “My Step” Charitable Foundation Anna Hakobyan; RA Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan; RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan, as well as high-ranking officials and representatives of the scientific community. The “My Step” Foundation has been carrying out the “Quanta” Master’s Degree Program in Quantum and Mesoscopic Physics since 2022, with the hope to have specialists who will be vested with the leading knowledge in the field of quantum and mesoscopic physics, who will become integrated into the international scientific community, who will become high-quality specialists and who will turn Armenia into a center for science and education in the region. Upon completion of the Program, students are conferred the academic rank of Master and are granted a diploma, which is licensed by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport.
“We have gathered today to celebrate one of our achievements, that is, the end of the first stage of the “Quanta” Master’s Degree Program in Quantum and Mesoscopic Physics (launched one-and-a-half years ago) and the handing of diplomats to the first group of graduates,” Deputy Director of the “My Step” Charitable Foundation for Programs and External Relations Talin Topalakian remarked in her opening speech.
People living and creating in the Republic of Armenia, as well as the full potential of all Armenians of the world, who will be united around the idea of Armenia’s statehood and its reinforcement, are the major pillars for Armenia’s development. This is what Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the “My Step” Charitable Foundation Mkhitar Hayrapetyan said in the beginning of his speech.
“One of the programs of the Foundation was “Quanta”, which offers students new opportunities in the sector of future technologies. Compared to the attendees, I would have a hard time describing how important quantum technologies, the current and future technologies are in our lives. We rely on people’s innovating thinking and believe that work done over the past years, serves as a great investment in our future and in your profession because the future of Armenia will be shaped by people with advanced professional knowledge and high capacities,” RA Minister of High-Tech Industry, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the “My Step” Charitable Foundation Mkhitar Hayrapetyan emphasized.
Before the launch of the Program, the field’s leading specialists were discussing a major issue and trying to find the answer to the question of what should be done for young scientists to stay in Armenia, not leave, and to have renowned professors come from different corners of the globe and teach here in Armenia in order to educate them. This is what academic supervisor for the “Quanta” Master’s Degree Program in Quantum and Mesoscopic Physics Hayk Sargsyan said as he presented the evolution of the idea of the Program, adding that it was at that time that the Foundation decided to establish the “Quanta” Program because it realized that a technological revolution is taking place, and it is quantum physics.
“I must state the fact that when we were expressing our ideas, we saw how Mrs. Anna Hakobyan showed a special attitude and special attention, and what was very important was the fact that we received support, and the Program was launched. The first admission process was very successful. Our students started working with teams of scientists and have already made achievements, i.e. they have several works printed in journals and magazines and have established new startups. The process was a great success, and I believe we will have tangible results in the years to come,” academic supervisor for the “Quanta” Master’s Degree Program in Quantum and Mesoscopic Physics Hayk Sargsyan said in detail.
There were congratulatory video messages from guest lecturers of the “Quanta” Program, including Davit Blaschke (Wrocław University of Poland), Dmitry Firsov (Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University), as well as speeches by the Program’s Armenia-based lecturers Aram Papoyan and Khachatur Nerkararyan. All the speakers emphasized the importance and modernity of the Program. Among the guests was also guest lecturer of the “Quanta” Master’s Degree Program in Quantum and Mesoscopic Physics Claude Leroy (Burgundy – University Bourgogne Franche-Comte of France). Professor Leroy stated that he has been collaborating with Armenia for nearly 20 years and, addressing his students, he emphasized that it was his great pleasure to teach them physics.
“The students were great. They did everything they could, and so did I. I hope you continue to take part in different international programs, which are very important. I believe international cooperation is the most effective. I am grateful for having you as my students,” guest lecturer of the “Quanta” Master’s Degree Program in Quantum and Mesoscopic Physics Claude Leroy remarked.
In her congratulatory remarks addressed to the students, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan emphasized that the success of the Program is evidenced by the fact that most of the graduates of “Quanta” are involved in science and have already made achievements.
“You show how such educational programs can help pave the way for wonderful young people, who have numerous ideas and initiatives and the only thing they need is our support, which will help them move forward. I hope we see you turn your dreams into a reality, which will lead to our country’s development and empowerment. I am personally glad to see so many ladies among our graduates. This goes to show once again that education in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics disciplines knows no gender,” Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan stressed in her closing remarks.
The “Quanta” Master’s Degree Program in Quantum and Mesoscopic Physics will continue to be implemented, and the third stage will be held jointly with the Physics Institute at Yerevan State University.
