President Sarkissian visits Qatar Foundation

On an official visit to the State of Qatar, President Armen Sarkissian visited the Qatar Foundation today.

The Foundation for the Implementation of Significant Projects in the Fields of Education, Science and Community Development was established in 1995 by Sheikh Hamada bin Khalifa Al Thani and his wife. He is also the President of the Foundation, actively involved in the country’s educational and social development processes and has played a significant role in a number of national and international projects in these areas.

The President of Armenia was briefed on the main directions and structure of the Qatar Foundation’s activities and programs. He was told that the Foundation aims to help the country ” become a knowledge-based economy by revealing human potential.”

One of the Foundation’s prominent initiatives is the Global Innovation Summit on Education held in 2009, which serves as a global platform for presenting innovations and new approaches in the field of education.

After a tour of the Foundation, President Sarkissian met with the head of the organization and co-founder Sheikh Moza Bint Nasser al-Misnad. The latter presented to President Sarkissian the educational and scientific programs implemented by the Foundation and thanked the President of Armenia for attending the opening of the World Innovation Summit

Sharing his impressions, President Sarkissian said the opportunities for cooperation are great because they share common and overlapping interests. The President noted that his wish is to see Armenia as an educational, scientific innovation hub, to have a new type of education system based on innovation, to be modern and innovative, as the 21st century is a time of rapid change and to be able to adapt quickly to succeed to new realities.

President Sarkissian also presented ATOM (Advanced Tomorrow) Presidential Initiative for Development of New Technologies and Science in Armenia.

Noting that it will have several components, including a city of science and technology and a museum of the future, the President said, the initiative also aims to become a platform where Armenian and international companies, research centers and universities will collaborate and implement joint research programs. President Sargsyan said the Qatar Foundation could also be an interesting partner in this program.

The interlocutors agreed to set up a working group to clarify the directions of the partnership.