Amirkhanian Meets with the RA Minister of Emergency Situations

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YEREVAN, Armenia – On February 18, 2020, Alen Amirkhanian, director of the American University of Armenia (AUA) Acopian Center for the Environment, together with Karen Vardanyan, executive director of the Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises (UATE) were hosted by Feliks Tsolakyan, minister of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia (RA). They discussed opportunities for cooperation in the field of information technologies and unmanned vehicles in disaster response. 

Among other topics discussed were the collaborative projects between the Ministry and AUA. These include the EU Horizon 2020 ResponDrone project and the recently completed EU-funded ALTER project.  

“Such projects enable building much needed national capacities in disaster response while facilitating platforms for closer university-government collaboration,” says Amirkhanian. 

Other officials present at the meeting included Armen Harutyunyan, deputy minister of Emergency Situations, Vrezh Gabrielyan, director of the Rescue Service, Vahagn Ohanyan, secretary-general of the RA Ministry of Emergency Situations, and others.

As reported on the official website of the RA Ministry of Emergency Situations, Tsolakyan stated that these meetings will be held periodically. He expressed hope that through collaborative initiatives all sides will be able to provide more optimal solutions to current issues.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.