Contract extensions for the Armenia School Connectivity Program

Funding for the first part of the Armenia School Connectivity Program expired on October 31, 2004, however we have received continued funding for the prolongation of the program till July 2007. We have also been working closely with the Ministry of Education and Science on the future transition of the program to Ministry in close coordination with the National Center for Technology in Education as a focus of the renewal is the scale down of Project Harmony and United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs funding support and the eventual transfer of fiscal and programmatic responsibilities to the Ministry of Education and Science.

Contract extensions for schools are currently being prepared and will be distributed as soon as possible, however we would like to inform you of several changes in the program that you should be aware of as we are open to continue our cooperation with you within the framework of the Armenia School Connectivity Program.

1. Contracts between schools and Project Harmony will be extended through June 30, 2005. Between now and that time Project Harmony will be working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science and the National Center for Technology in Education to select 180 schools from all regions in Armenia that will receive funding for Internet access through the Ministry annual budget beginning July 1, 2005. These 180 schools will also receive funding through the Ministry budget to pay for minor technical upgrades. Project Harmony will continue to support these schools by providing access to the network and the technical infrastructure that connects the schools to the Internet. This is an exciting opportunity as the Ministry moves forward in incorporating technology education into the national curriculum. As the mechanisms for the selection of the 180 schools and the funding issues associated with it moves forward, we will be sure to keep all our partners and school directors informed. Schools not selected for Ministry support will receive some support through Project Harmony and ASCP funding.

2. It is anticipated that all schools currently in the network will be covered through the Ministry of Education and Science annual budget in 2006. We cannot confirm this point at this time, as the Ministry has not yet begun its 2006 annual budget, however we will make sure to keep you informed as information is made available.

3. Due to decreased funding levels, Project Harmony cannot continue to pay for Internet Site Monitor (those two people who are working in the Internet Computer Centers) salaries after December 31, 2004. Project Harmony and the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the United States Embassy in Armenia, which fund the Armenia School Connectivity Program, strongly believe that a large part of the success of the project is due to the strong support and solid work of the Site Monitors and encourages schools to utilize these highly trained individuals. The Ministry of Education and Science anticipates that schools will use the funding provided in the school budgets for the Computer Operator salary, as well as money generated through community services. Project Harmony will continue to provide ICC Sustainability Trainings to help schools prepare for this transition. It will also work with donor organizations to ensure all schools have the required number of computers to be eligible for the computer operator salary.

We are happy to be working closely with the Ministry of Education and Science in this time of transition and know that together we are looking for ways to make this transition as smooth as possible. We will make certain to provide you information as it is made available. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Project Harmony Outreach Manager Siranush Vardanyan at ph@projectharmony.am .

Official Announcement of Armenia School Connectivity Program Expansion

The Armenia Connectivity 2000 has successfully implemented 2 years of technology in education programming in Armenia and is set to expand its activities over the course of the next 2 years with the Armenia School Connectivity Program (ASCP), also a program of the US department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The two-year, 5 million USD program expansion will provide the recourses, Internet access and training for a network of 350 participating schools across all 11 regions of Armenia. ASCP will provide students, educators and community members opportunities to access and share information, to engage in online collaborative projects, and to develop technical skills marketable in a digital world. The program will increase school-community interaction, US-Armenian partnerships at the schools and community level, and civic engagement on the local, national and international level. One of the many objectives is to expand online Armenian language resources and workspaces, including additional school websites and providing a distance-learning component. 

Armenia Connectivity 2000 School Website Competition Awards ceremony, November 15, 2002, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia

Project Harmony-Armenia announced the AC2K School Website Competition, which was open to all 88 schools involved in Armenia Connectivity 2000 (AC2K) Network. 57 participating school websites were rated by 23 select jury members. Based on the jury votes, the best six websites are awarded.

The competition was the culmination of Project Harmony’s first two years working with students and teachers in developing Internet resources highlighting the activities of Armenian schools. In addition, the competition aimed to serve as a new stage for promoting the development of online educational resources in Armenian language, promotion of Armenian schools and communities.

Objectives

• The AC2K School Website Competition objectives were to:
• encourage creation of information resources on secondary education in Armenia
• further Internet based initiatives in the field of education
• develop skills in information and communication technology
• present and promote resources created by students and teachers
• highlight skills and knowledge received during trainings and consultation provided by AC2K program
• present work of ICCs, cooperation between ICCs, school administration and community 
• facilitate communication among Armenian schools and institutions

Jury

Jury members are representatives of governmental, local and international organizations and independent specialists. For more information, see the attached list of Jury members.

Staff from Armenia, Georgia, Russia and US Project Harmony’s offices participated in the voting for “Project Harmony’s Choice”.

Website Judging Criteria

Each jury member used a 10 point scale to rate the websites
Results of rating were collected by Project Harmony Web Administrator

The Winners are:

Grand Prize ­ Ashtarak secondary school named after Sisakian #5
Second Prize ­ Vayk secondary school #2
Third Prize ­ Sissian Secondary shool #2
Project Harmony’s Choice ­ Yeghvard secondary school #1
Content and Accuracy ­ Yerevan Secondary school #138
Design, Art, Technology and User-friendliness ­ Yerevan secondary school #77
Cooperation and Relevance to the Community ­ Basic High School of Gyumri Pedagogical Institute

Special acknowledgment to sponsors of the AC2K Website Competition: 

• Valencia Hotel
• Mitsubishi Service
• Dolphin
• WEB
• Arminco
• Mars
• Aray
• “Mets Polis” Ltd
• Sargsyan Alexander

The list of winners, jury members and sponsors will be published at AC2K website (www.ac2k.am) after 15th of November 2002.

Armenia Computer Drive

Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America (AESA), a non-profit tax-exempt organization, is seeking to obtain computers for educational institutions in Armenia.

Due to the current economic hardship, Armenian schools are straining to meet educational standards in the twenty-first century. Having maintained ninety nine percent literacy until the recent past, Armenia is struggling to provide its children with a vitally important, global, cross-cultural educational network. AESA is trumping up its efforts to alleviate the great demand for internet-ready computers in Armenia.

In the past, AESA has sent refurbished computers to Armenia by itself and through various Armenian organizations. It is equipped with an eager group of volunteers that manage the technical and logistical issues. Once a computer is donated, AESA is responsible for testing, shipping and placement of the equipment in Armenia. In return, AESA can provide contributors with tax deductible receipts.

AESA is asking businesses and individuals to consider donating their used Pentium I or higher model computers. Also, it encourages any company in Southern California that has recently upgraded their computers to consider donating their used lot of computers. AESA will accept peripherals such as printers, modems, network cables/cards and scanners as well.

Please contact the AESA Computer Committee at 818-547-3372 or 
email us at aesa_comp@yahoogroups.com.

PROJECT HARMONY

Project Harmony, and the funding organization -U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, has high expectations of the possibilities that AC2K will bring to communities in Armenia. The goals of the program are many, however the creation of a school network for the Armenian education system and the promotion of the Internet as an educational tool are two key aspects of the program's mission. The program, which is a follow on of two earlier phases administered by ACCELS and the Embassy, will establish Internet Computer Centers in approximately 40 schools and provide extensive training for educators. Approximately 4 centers will be established in each of the regions over the course of the first year of this two-year program. It is hoped that several village schools will be included in the program. In addition to the schools in the regions, PH expects to establish 5 sites in Yerevan; the recruitment for Yerevan schools targeted "special needs communities."

Ms. Kimmerle and Ms. Kardashian met with Mr. Stepanyan, Head of the Department of Education to begin the promotion and recruitment process for the Yerevan special schools. With Mr. Stepanyan's assistance, PH staff members were able to meet with the directors of the special schools at a joint meeting. On November 30, 2000 Victoria Kardashian introduced the PH staff, gave brief background information on PH as an organization, and the ICD and AC2K programs to the principals of special schools. Ms. Kardashian's presentation was followed by explanation of the application package that was distributed to the school representatives. There were twenty-six school principals present at the meeting for Yerevan special needs schools.

Selection:
Project Harmony has completed the first round of recruitment and selection for the AC2K program.  Below you will find a list of those schools selected for participation in the AC2K program:

Yerevan

• Comprehensive boarding school for children with poor sight and for the children from socially disadvantaged families;
  Avan Acharyan 16.
  Principal of school - Petrosyan Mareta
• Boarding school for difficult children and children from socially disadvantaged families;
  Noubarashen 6.
  Principal of school - Gevorge Muradyan
• Boarding for children with physical disabilities, children from socially disadvantaged families;
  Masiv # 2, Moldovakan 41.
  Principal of school - Amalya Harutyunyan
• Boarding school for blind children and children from socially disadvantaged families;
  Furmanov 31.
  Principal of school - Alexan Aharonyan
• Ananya Shirakatsu Chemaran. School for gifted children;
  Nork # 5.
  Principal of school - Ashot Alikhanyan

The first three schools will receive full packages and the last two will receive partial technical packages.  All five schools will receive Internet access and will be involved in education activities of the AC2K program.  A sixth school was recommended for participation is expected to be included in the program in the near future.

Ararat

• Masis, secondary school # 1 
  Principal of school ­ Tamara Arevyan
• Vedi, secondary school # 3 
  Principal of school ­ Armen Alexanyan
• Artashat, secondary school # 6 
  Principal of school ­ Anahit Gevorgyan
• Shahumyan, secondary school (village)
  Principal of school ­ Fedya Hambartsumyan

The first three schools will be provided with Internet access only, as their technical equipment is cost share from the World Bank School Improvement Program and the Shahumyan village secondary school will receive a full program package of equipment and Internet access. All four schools will become part of the AC2K school network and will be involved in educational activities.       

Armavir

• Echmiadzin, secondary school # 2 
  Principal of school ­ Rubik Simonyan 
• Metsamor, secondary school # 1
  Principal of school ­ Aregnaz Arakelyan 
• Armavir, secondary school # 6 
  Principal of school ­ Patvakan Shakrikyan 

The first two schools will be provided with full packages of equipment and Internet access and the other with Internet access, as the school’s technical equipment is cost shared from the World Bank School Improvement Program. All three schools will become part of the AC2K school network and will be involved in educational activities. 

Aragotsotn

• Ashtarak, secondary school # 1 named after Nerses Ashtarakezi 
  Principal of school ­ Suzanna Barseghyan
• Talin, Secondary school # 2 
  Principal of school ­ Hovik Grigoryan
• Tsakhkahovit, Secondary school named after Avetik Isahakyan
  Principal of school ­ Arestak Mikajelyan

All three schools will be provided with full packages of equipment and Internet access.
Similarly, they will become part of the AC2K school network and will be involved in educational activities.

 Kotayk

• Nor Hajen Secondary School # 2
  Principal of school ­ Silva Vanessyan 
• Abovyan Secondary School #10
  Principal of school ­ Vardan Petrosyan 
• Yeghvard Secondary School # 1
  Principal of school ­ Razmik Simonyan 
• Dzorakhpur Secondary School  (village)
  Principal of school ­ Raya Gabrielya

The first two schools will be provided with full packages of equipment and Internet access and the other two with Internet access only, as they have acquired technical equipment from the World Bank School Improvement Program. All four schools will become part of the AC2K school network and will be involved in educational activities.  

Furthermore, PH is proud to announce that AC2K is completing the process of transitioning the ACCELS-established schools into the AC2K program.  PH and OSI are also collaborating to strengthen the opportunities for AC2K schools and OSI community school centers. 

For more information and support please contact:

Project Harmony Armenia
Yerevan 375019
1st crossway, Marshal Baghramian Ave., Bldg. 14; Apt. 1
Telephone: (374 1) 580059; 561676
E-mail: ph@projectharmony.am
Internet: http://www.projectharmony.am     

23rd ARMENIAN SCHOOL CONNECTED TO INTERNET -  Yerevan, November 10, 2000 (Armenpress): A secondary school in the Armenian town of Sevan became the 23rd to have been connected to Internet by the means provided by the US Embassy to Yerevan. US ambassador Michael Lemmon, who was present at the ceremony, said the Internet connection will allow to connect the Sevan region with the rest of the country and the world.  The US embassy provided $15,000 for establishment of the computer class, its furnishing and subscription fee for one year.
The school's principal Mnatsakan Keryan said this was not the first assistance of the US government to their school.  Earlier volunteers from the US Peace Corps helped the school repair its drinking water pipe-line, repair power supply system and 15 classrooms.

ANOTHER 60 ARMENIAN SCHOOLS TO GET INTERNET CONNECTION NEXT YEAR - Yerevan, October 25, 2000 (Armenpress): US Ambassador in Yerevan Mr. Michael Lemmon was present today at a ceremony at Yerevan College of Fine Art after Terlemezian that got connected to Internet due to financial assistance of US Embassy to Yerevan. Embassy's public affairs officer John Balian told Armenpress that the college was the 22nd Armenian educational establishment connected to Internet within the first stage of a School Computerization Program implemented by the Embassy. The first stage will be over after two more schools in the towns of Sevan and Yeghegnadzor have connected to the World website. Balian said that $360,000 had been spent so far on the program's realization.

The program's second stage is expected to kick off in 2001 and will be carried out by the US Project Harmony company, the winner of a previously announced competition. The US government has pledged $1 million for the second stage of the program which will involve about 60 schools, chiefly in Armenian regions.

The U.S. Embassy in Armenia has dedicated $1 million this fiscal year to continue its very successful pilot project, "The Armenian School Internet Connectivity Program". The pilot project connected 12 schools to the World Wide Web last year. This new grant is intended to connect 100 schools throughout Armenia to the Internet. The Embassy plans to ask the U.S. Government for money for several years to continue the program. Even more importantly, we hope that the Armenian Diaspora in the United States will join in, so that we can connect even more schools throughout the country and create a sustainability plan for the Internet centers.

Before a school is connected, an appropriate room is selected at each school, the site is renovated the and made secure, and furniture and computers installed. The renovations are done by local contractors, the furniture is made by Armenian craftsmen, the equipment is purchased from local suppliers.

The next eight centers will be dedicated to the Armenian patriots who were assassinated on October 27, 1999. Each family has been asked to designate a school where the "Internet Room" will be named after their loved one and will serve as a memorial to him.

The Internet is the most advanced educational tool in the world. If an Armenian school has Internet access, it can tap into the same teaching resources as the finest private schools in London, Paris or New York. The Internet will bring the world into Armenian classrooms and provide a greater chance for success to children in the poorest schools and the most remote villages.

The connectivity program can also be the means of uniting the Armenian nation worldwide. It will connect Armenians in the villages and towns with the capital will serve as a bridge between Armenia and the Diaspora.

For all these reasons, this project has been included in the programs of and is being co-sponsored by the Armenia - Diaspora Commission. And those interested in contributing funds, equipment or manpower are urged to respond to schools@armeniadiaspora.com

One of the needs articulated by the Armenia Diaspora Conference was the need to provide greater use of information technology to the people of Armenia, and to make better use of this technology to link Armenians everywhere.

Therefore, it is very timely and useful that the U.S. Embassy in Armenia has dedicated $1 million this fiscal year to continue its pilot project, "The Armenian School Internet Connectivity Program". The pilot project connected 12 schools to the World Wide Web last year. This new grant is intended to connect 100 schools throughout Armenia to the Internet. In addition, the US Government will be approached for additional funding over several years to continue the program. The Armenian Diaspora in the United States is also being called on to match the program dollar for dollar, so that a larger number of schools throughout the country can be connected, and a sustainability plan for the Internet centers can be developed.

The plan is quite simple:

• Before a school is connected, an appropriate room is selected at each school, the site is renovated and made secure, and furniture and computers are installed.
• The renovations are done by local contractors, the furniture is made by Armenian craftsmen, the equipment is purchased from local suppliers.

The next eight centers will be dedicated to the Armenian patriots who were assassinated on October 27, 1999. Each family has been asked to designate a school where the "Internet Room" will be named after their loved one and will serve as a memorial to him.

The Internet is the most advanced educational tool in the world. The Internet will bring the world into Armenian classrooms and provide a greater chance for success to children in the poorest schools and the most remote villages.

The connectivity program can also be the means of uniting the Armenian nation worldwide. It will connect Armenians in the villages and towns with the capital and will serve as a bridge between Armenia and the Diaspora.

For all these reasons, this project has been included in the program of the Armenia - Diaspora Commission  and those interested in contributing funds, equipment or manpower are urged to respond. There may be local educational or funding programs which may be able to help take on the sponsorship of some schools. Your help in identifying such funding sources would be appreciated. You will be kept abreast of new developments.

To get involved, contact Armenia - Diaspora Commission at schools@armeniadiaspora.com

In 1998 the American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS invited applications from Armenian schools to be selected to participate in the Armenian School Connectivity Project.  The project involves students from schools in Armenia and the United States of America to communicate, to exchange ideas and experience in Social Sciences.  Pupils of both countries have a lot to tell each other, learn from each other and the Internet will be a great help. 
Six Armenian schools were selected on competitive basis to introduce Internet Connectivity and conduct faculty exchanges with six U.S schools.  These schools are:
Basic High School-Gyumri Pedagogical Institute,
Yerevan Admiral Isakov School #132,
Yerevan Chekhov School #55,
Yerevan School #51,
National College #1 in Vanadzor
Hrazdan Paruyr Sevak School #8.
Founded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs U.S. State Department the partnership project equipped  modern computer classrooms in these schools and provided Internet connectivity.  The faculty and students of the schools were trained to use Internet resources.  In accordance with the project a linkage has been created between the following schools:
Basic High School and Hoover High School in Glendale,CA.
Yerevan Admiral Isakov School #132 and Timpanogos High School,UT.
Yerevan Chekhov School #55 and Downers Grove North High School,IL.
Yerevan School #51 and Fairfax High School,VA.
Vanadzor National College #1 and Marion High School,IA.
Hrazdan Paruyr Sevak School #8 and Marshalltown High School,IA.
The representatives of the sister-schools from the USA visited Armenia in 1999.  During the visit they attended classes, talked to teachers and students as guests of those schools.  Various excursions to different historical places of Armenia were organized for them. The exchange visits to schools in the USA were organized for the representatives from each of the schools.  The aim of the visits was to get acquainted with the educational system of the USA.  They also attended many entertainment and cultural centers in the USA which helped them to get acquainted with the US History and the way the Americans live and spend their spare time.  The visits were interesting and beneficial. 

Ameican teachers visit the Yerevan school #51