YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) is proud to announce that the aneev2 team from the AUA Zaven P. and Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering, comprising five talented computer science students — Vahe Petrosyan (BSCS ’25), Gevorg Khachatryan (BSCS ’25), Suren Petrosyan (BSCS ’25), Hayk Matshkalyan (BSCS ’27), and Maksim Petrosyan (BSCS ’27) — has achieved an outstanding victory by securing first place in a national hackathon organized by the Ministry of High-tech Industry of the Republic of Armenia. Their innovative project, “Translation of Armenian Sign Language into Text,” demonstrated both technical excellence and a deep commitment to addressing societal challenges.
The team described the moment their victory was announced as both exhilarating and unforgettable. As anticipation grew during the announcements of third and second-place winners, the final recognition filled them with an overwhelming sense of pride and accomplishment. “Hearing our team’s name for first place was an incredible mix of relief and excitement — an unforgettable moment!” they shared.
The inspiration behind their project stemmed from a meaningful conversation with a representative from the Armenian Deaf Social Center of Culture and Sport. During this discussion, the team became aware of a stark reality: no completely deaf individual in Armenia has been able to graduate from university or participate in events like the Hackathon. This realization became the driving force behind their initiative, motivating them to create a tool that could bridge significant communication gaps and enhance accessibility for the deaf and mute community in Armenia.
Throughout the Hackathon, the team demonstrated remarkable synergy and coordination. Each member brought unique skills to the table, contributing to a collaborative environment where ideas were refined, and challenges were addressed with a shared sense of purpose. Their ability to focus on building upon each other’s strengths played a key role in their success.
Reflecting on their experience, the team emphasized the importance of attention to detail. Beyond the technical execution of their project, they meticulously considered aspects such as cost estimation, long-term maintenance, and data accuracy. This approach not only strengthened their final presentation but also provided them with valuable insights that will serve them well in their future endeavors.
Dr. Hayk Nersisyan, chair of the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program at AUA, reflected on the team’s exceptional performance, “We are incredibly proud of our computer science students for achieving this remarkable victory among 22 teams from leading universities across Armenia. This achievement highlights not only the talent and dedication of our students but also the strength of our curriculum, which equips them with the skills to tackle real-world challenges. Winning first place at such a prestigious hackathon reaffirms our commitment to nurturing innovation and empowering future leaders in technology.”
The team envisions a clear roadmap for the further development of their project. Currently, their system translates Armenian Sign Language letters into text. The next phases include expanding the technology to support full words and sentence translation, integrating text-to-voice functionality, and ultimately enabling two-way communication between sign language and spoken language. This ambitious vision underscores their commitment to ensuring that their project evolves into a comprehensive solution with long-term impact.
The aneev2 team believes their project has the potential to make a significant societal impact. They highlighted the existing barriers faced by the deaf-mute community in Armenia, including limited access to interpreters, educational opportunities, and employment resources. “Currently, there are only two sign language interpreters for social services in Armenia, both based in Yerevan with limited working hours. This leaves a huge gap in accessibility for many people. We hope our technology will help bridge this gap and create new opportunities,” they explained.
The success of the aneev2 team at the Hackathon stands as a testament to the innovation, dedication, and collaborative spirit fostered at the Akian College of Science and Engineering. Their achievement not only brings pride to the University community but also sets a powerful example of how technology and teamwork can create meaningful change.
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 and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.
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