The Gyumri Information Technologies Center (GITC) is a non-profit, scientific and educational foundation providing post-graduate ICT workforce training. The Center was founded in August 2005 by the Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF), Fund of Armenian relief (FAR), and Shirak Technologies LLC.
GITC was created to support potential IT development in the regions, which will multiply job opportunities and utilize local human potential. It trains highly-qualified individuals for world-class projects, helping to develop the information technology sector in Gyumri, introducing advanced learning methodologies, and creating jobs.
The purpose of the Center is to:
- promote IT industry expansion from Yerevan City to the Northern Region to encourage decentralization
- drive the formation of an IT infrastructure in the Northern Region
- promote employment opportunities in the Northern Regions.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION
The GITC has a current annual enrollment of approximately 40-50 students for two programs:
- Software Engineering, focusing on web development, and
- Electrical Engineering, which includes hardware and software topics.
The admission process for students consists of a three-step selection process (initial selection based on application forms, testing, and personal interview). The applicants take written tests in math, English, and IQ. Finally, community volunteers along with GITC instructors conduct individual interviews with the applicants.
There are two Laboratories, including a SUN Training Lab with 20 Sun terminals, four workstations, and four servers donated to GITC from the Ministry of Economy and USAID. A library and four classrooms for students in the Center are the result of a joint project between EIF, SUN Microsystems, and USAID.
Leading specialists, representing key educational institutions and private companies, arrive daily from Yerevan, Armenia's current IT hub, to instruct the classes, which meet six days a week. Each program is a duration of two years. To date, 75% of graduates have been placed in ICT sector careers.
INCUBATION ACTIVITIES
In January 2009, the first incubation center was established at the GITC. To date, the following IT businesses have opened branches in Gyumri and employ GITC students:
- Instigate Design – Hardware/Software Co-design
- PUL Ltd. – FPGA design
- Shirak Technologies – IP and telecom services
- Symotech – Distance Medicine
Companies and organizations that GITC collaborates within its incubation and workforce development activities include D-Link, Microsoft Armenia, VivaCell MTS, Orange, Armenian State Unemployment Agency, U.S. Peace Corps, USAID, USAID’s CAPS program, Birthright Armenia, Volunteers from Birthright Armenia, and the Armenia Educational Foundation.
Visit www.gitc.am for more information on how to make a donation to GITC and its Academic program.
GYUMRI INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES CENTER 
