YEREVAN, Armenia — On February 12, the American University of Armenia (AUA) and the ADWISE Business and Legal Consulting LLC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), establishing a long-term partnership to advance academic, educational, and intercultural exchange in the area of intellectual property (IP) protection and rights. Under this agreement, ADWISE attorneys will provide AUA with legal consultation and support on a range of matters, including IP management and technology transfer services.
Universities play a central role in generating innovation and scientific breakthroughs, and AUA has been expanding its institutional capacity in this area. In fall 2024, AUA became the first university in Armenia to establish a policy-based Office of Sponsored Programs and Technology Transfer (OSP&TT), dedicated to enhancing IP awareness, management, and commercialization across the institution. Through their research, teaching, externally funded projects, and other scholarly activities, AUA faculty, staff, and students create innovative ideas and products that may be copyrighted, trademarked, patented, or licensed. The new MoU with ADWISE strengthens the University’s ability to protect and advance these innovations, ensuring that ideas and technologies developed at AUA can move effectively from the academic environment into the broader market for public benefit.
AUA President Dr. Bruce Boghosian remarked: “This collaboration comes at a pivotal moment, as the Government of the Republic of Armenia is undertaking a significant reform to strengthen the national IP system and support the country’s transition toward a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy. A strong IP ecosystem is essential for attracting foreign investment, enhancing technological capabilities, protecting research and development outcomes, enabling technology commercialization, and contributing to the growth of creative and high-tech industries. AUA prioritizes IP-based innovation and entrepreneurial training, following the example of leading institutions in the west.”
ADWISE Co-founder and Partner Ara Khzmalyan said: “Armenia is witnessing a strong growth in technology and innovations, and it is essential that leading universities expand their involvement in this process beyond education, and work towards commercialization of intellectual property. Our main objective for this collaboration is to bring to the table the expertise and knowledge our firm has in relation to advising businesses, and use it to help AUA capitalize and potentially commercialize ongoing and future research and innovation.”
The Office of Sponsored Programs and Technology Transfer (OSP&TT) provides AUA faculty, staff, and students with the highest-quality support services related to sponsored programs and compliance, while also providing the framework that governs the intellectual property (IP) rights of faculty, staff, and students. In the latter capacity, the Office will help protect the ownership and promote the commercial development of inventions, discoveries, and creative works made at or under the auspices of AUA.
