Yerevan State University of Architecture & Construction (YSUAC)

The first official meeting within the scope of the TACIS-TEMPUS Project was organized in December, 2007 in Yerevan. YSUAC hosted the delegations from Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm and University of East London from Dec03 till Dec08, 2007. During the visit a number of meetings and excursions to different state authorities and private companies have been arranged by the project management team.

The first day of the visit was devoted to introduction of YSUAC departments, administration and management, as well as meetings with the dean of Economics Department and head of “Economics, Law and Management” chair have been organized. During the meeting with the head of “Economics, Law and Management” chair Sargis Stepanyan and the project manager the importance and necessity of establishment of new Master Program have been discussed.

According to the head of “Economics, Law and Management” chair, Sargis Stepanyan, specialists on real estate economics and management took part in the seminars and discussions where different issues related to creation of a new Master Program on Real Estate Economics and Management were discussed. A rather promising perspective of this market sector is expected in the nearest future in Armenia. This market sector consists mainly from real estate agencies, civil services, State Committee of Real Estate Cadastre, and independent appraisers. In Armenia there is still lack of those necessary specialists who will promote real estate market development in Armenia on legal basis. Within the scope of the project it is expected to open an educational centre at the University, where the above mentioned market specialists will upgrade their professional skills. The lecturers, who have gained European experience, will provide all the necessary innovations — theoretical, practical, application of new technologies, which are now widely experienced in Europe.

Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Development National Center of Armenia

On December 04, 2007 the delegation from Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden visited Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Development National Center of Armenia.

The Fund "Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Development National Center of Armenia" (SME DNC of Armenia) was established by Decree No. 282-N of the Government of the Republic of Armenia on March 19, 2002. The SME DNC of Armenia is the first national structure in Armenia called to implement State Support to Small and Medium Entrepreneurship (SME) and programs targeted to development of the sector, as well as to ensure a dialogue between small and medium entrepreneurship entities and government structures.

The Board of Trustees is the supreme governing body of SME DNC of Armenia. The members of SME DNC of Armenia’s Board of Trustees are representing several government structures and public organizations advocating the interests of SME entities.

The SME DNC of Armenia carries out its activities through the central office located in Yerevan and regional branch offices established in all marzes of RA. The support programs for SME development are implemented in the RA marzes through SME DNC of Armenia regional branch offices.

The SME DNC of Armenia provides support to start up and operating SMEs through implementation of the following programs:  

• Loan guarantees provision program
• Program for partial subsidizing of interest rates
• Information and consulting support program
• Goods and services market promotion program
• Training support program
• The start up entrepreneurship support program
• The support program for implementation of research and development activities for introducing innovations, new technologies and products

As a result of implementation of the mentioned support programs within the SME DNC of Armenia`s activities around 20.000 start-ups and operating SMEs were supported throughout 5 years.

"Logicon Development" LLC

Another introduction visit was organized on December 04, 2007 to “Logicon Development” LLC - the main partner of the Department of Economics, Law and Management.

“Logicon Development” LLC is a private company rendering specialized services. The company provides qualified assistance to operating and start-up small and medium enterprises to carry out their activities in compliance with the RA legislation, and basic international standards. The company gives a hand to enterprises by conducting trainings and advisory, and by implementing projects intended to improve and stimulate their business. In other words, the goal of the company is to help your business to grow. It offers a great number of services, including audit and accounting, legal consulting, management, planning of enterprise tax policy according to the tax legislation currently in force, trainings for beginner-entrepreneurs, and a number of many other specialized services, including but not limited to: research and development, data bases projecting, business plan creation and development, and project management in different branches and spheres of RA economy.

We offer a great number of services, including audit and accounting, legal consulting, management, planning of enterprise tax policy according to the acting tax legislation, trainings for beginner-entrepreneurs, and a number of many other specialized services, including but not limited to: research and development, data bases projecting, business plan creation and development, and project management in different branches and spheres of RA economy.

The company has an extensive experience of cooperation with almost 500 local and international private companies, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations, such as World Bank, European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, Eurasia Foundation, UNDP Armenia, SME DNC of Armenia Fund, OSCE office in Yerevan, and many others.

The company’s philosophy provides clients with the critical edge they need to achieve their legal and business objectives. Clients who seek the assistance of “Logicon Development” will discover a firm with spirit and dynamism, dedicated to providing superior service and personal attention to clients' special needs and interests. The staff is to be easily accessible and to respond quickly to client needs. The company’s client-focused commitment has allowed it to become trusted advisors and business partners that anticipate the clients’ needs before they slow their business down.

Akcern Inc. Real Estate Company

On December 05, 2007 the delegations from Sweden and UK visited different private companies acting in real estate field. During the visit to Akcern Inc. a number of issues referred to real estate market in Armenia have been discussed, mainly it was talked about the role of real estate agent in property transactions.

Akcern Inc. is a premier real estate company with license to provide a full range of real estate transactions: sale and purchase, rent, valuation of residential and commercial properties (houses, apartments, estates, office spaces, land property, business, summer houses etc.).

Akcern Inc. is one of the pioneers and a leader in this field and has been doing business in Armenian real estate market since 1993. The company’s scope of transactions makes it a crucial part of Armenian real estate market. The company also caters to the niche segment of corporate residential and nonresidential rents and sales in prestigious locations of the city and in the countryside. Akcern is the only Armenian real estate Company that provides access for consumers and brokers via the Internet to its database for online searches and transaction closing. The company’s experienced staff of realtors, valuators, developers and designers do their utmost to solve any of the customer problems concerning real estate. “Your satisfaction is guaranteed with our free of charge services which make searching for a house comfortable and easy”- is company’s motto.

Akcern Corporation was an initiator and one of two founders of National Association of Realtors and Appraisers (NARA) of Armenia. In 2003 year Akcern won and was awarded by the World Quality Commitment International Star Award for customers' satisfaction, innovation and applying new technologies in business and other quality traits. This prestigious prize has been developed by European organization BID (Business Initiative Directions) for the quality development and promotion. Another one, the Platinum Award for "Excellence and Business Prestige" the company won in 2004 proving its real leadership in this field. Since 2004 Akcern commenced to publish its own magazine "Akcern Real Estate", which introduces the situation and development of the real estate and construction market in Armenia. Besides, it is possible to find a lot of classified information of Akcern Corporation on the magazine's pages

Monitoring visit, February 16-18, 2009

During the period of February 16-18, 2009 a monitoring visit from Royal Institute of Technology led by Leif Eidenstedt, the project manager was arranged. During the three-day visit a range of meetings with different authorities as well as with students of related specialties have been organized. In particular, visits to different departments of YSUAC and to newly established study center have been made. The monitoring team has met also the students of IT and English courses. On February 17 2009 meetings have been arranged in State Cadastre Committee, “Magistral Nakhagits” ltd., “Logicon Development” LLC, the Armenian Representative of “Leica”, “Constructor’s Union” etc.

On February 18, 2009 the Swedish delegation visited also National Tempus Office in Armenia, Small and Medium Business Development National Center and “Habitat for Humanity Armenia” Office. Final meeting was hold at the department of Economics, Law and Management with all participants of ECOMA project. Final issues on project implementation, as well as the advantages and future prospective of the project have been discussed. 

Meetings, conferences

On February 23, 2008, a working meeting took place at Yerevan State University of Architecture and Construction within the scope of Tempus new master curriculum in Real Estate Economics and Management (ECOMA) grant program. The participants of the working meeting were: the management team, the reference team, the responsible teachers for courses, as well as the representative from National Tempus Office in Armenia and real estate specialists, arrived from Sweden. The full list of participants is presented below:

• Sargis Stepanyan, the ECOMA project manager, the head of ELM chair, YSUAC
• Varazdat Hovhannisyan, the project coordinator, senior lecturer of ELM chair, YSUAC
• Lana Karlova, the Tempus Office Coordinator in Armenia
• Irina Vanyan, a lecturer of ELM chair, PhD in Economics, docent
• Ara Hovhannisyan, a lecturer of ELM chair, PhD in Economics, docent
• Anahit Adamyan, a lecturer of ELM chair, the representative of “Magistral Nakhagits “ LLC
• Astghik Grigoryan, a lecturer of ELM chair, International Master of Science in Built Environment, aspirant of ELM chair
• Lilit Hovumyan, a lecturer of ELM chair, International Master of Science in Built Environment
• Armen Vardanyan, a lecturer of ELM chair, aspirant
• Seda Badeyan, a lecturer of ELM chair, the representative of “Magistral Nakhagits” LLC
• Karapet Aznavuryan, a lecturer of ELM chair, aspirant
• Vardges Edoyan, YSUAC pro-rector, the head of the international relations department
• Karen Khachatryan, the head of the registration department, State Committee of Real Estate Cadastre
• Vahe Petrosyan, a lecturer of ELM chair, the director of “Logicon Development” LLC
• Ghevond Barikyan, the representative of the “Magistral Nakhagits” LLC
• Goran Yvarsson, project manager, cadastral surveyor, Swedsurvey AB
• Curt Carlsson, senior GIS consultant, Swedsurvey AB
• Lars Engberg, senior Adviser in Geodesy, Lantmateriat

The following issues were discussed at the meeting:

• The current stage of the project
• The list of developed subjects, the content and hours
• The further steps, especially preparation for the forthcoming visit to Stockholm
• A number of other organizational issues

The meeting was opened by Sargis Stapanyan, who briefly presented the current activity of the project and further steps. Varazdat Hovhannisyan, the project coordinator presented the project activity and the further steps in more details. He introduced the names of the taught subjects with their content and the Responsible Lecturers for them in the course of the project. He also mentioned the list of the subjects, the syllabuses of which should be presented in Sweden at the forthcoming visit: two subjects in Law — Basic Law and Real Estate Legislation, Land Information Systems (LIS), Urban Planning, Property Formation Technique, Urban Land Development Project, Negotiations and Communication. He mentioned that compulsory and selective subjects will be differentiated in the subject list. During the meeting almost all the present lecturers made a speech, as well as the guests from Sweden who were extremely interested in the discussed issues, too.

Particularly Mr. Edoyan touched upon the issue on usage of Mathematical subjects, concerning the mentioned directions. Sargis Stepanyan commented that the MathCad package of well-known mathematical projects is expected to be used, which will be explained in Armenian. Varazdat Hovhannisyan also made a speech on this issue. He mentioned that the subjects, proposed for this new profession suppose existence of mathematical knowledge.

The guests also introduced all those laws, which are taught in the range of real estate management profession

To Lana Karlova’s question about the applicants to Master Program, Varazdat Hovhannisyan presented the list of those professions graduates of which will be able to apply, these are: Real Estate Expertise and Management, Urban Economics and Management, Urban Cadastre, Practical Geodesy professions, as well as the graduates of land building professions from the Armenian Agricultural Academy. He mentioned that it is necessary to define the same principles for all the applicants after fulfilling of which the applicant can be treated as a possible student of the “Real Estate Economics and Management” master program.

On this issue Irina Vanyan mentioned that the necessary subjects list must be defined, which should be included in the student’s diploma’s insert of who applies for Master program. She suggested that each of the lecturers should define the necessary principles for his/her subject as essential knowledge. As well as the minimal number of credits should be defined, which the student, willing to apply to Master Program, must get from the corresponding subject. So, to her opinion, the level of the Bachelor entrants should be raised. Astghik Grigoryan offered to hold an examination for those Master Program applicants, who have fulfilled the primary requirements. Sargis Stepanyan mentioned that the requirements on minimal compulsory knowledge are already ready, but the issue on entrance is not fulfilled yet.

Karen Khachatryan made a more detailed speech on the students’ low level of legal knowledge. As per him the Bachelor graduates should have primary knowledge about Law. Regarding practice, Irina Vanyan and other lecturers mentioned that each subject will also have practical courses, which will promote to the improvement of the students’ knowledge level. It was mentioned during the meeting that an educational centre will be established in the range of the project, where training courses will be organized for all applicants. The Project manager Sargis Stepanyan announced that training courses for civil employees will be organized, according to the agreement, signed with the Civil Employee Council. Lana Karlova confirmed the importance of the work of the centre in the process of project execution. Mr. Stepanyan mentioned that YSUAC is a state, non-profit organization, which is legally limited in its activity. The centre will be a separate legal entity founded by YSUAC.

During the discussions several issues regarding Legislation, disadvantages in law field, as well as existing and forthcoming changes were touched upon. It was mentioned that the future real estate valuators must take a short (1 month) course at Yerevan State University, paying a considerable amount of money (they must have higher education), then they must pass an exam, afterwards they have to pass the second exam in State Committee of Real Estate Cadastre and only in case of positive result they will be allowed to deal with real estate market assessment.

To Mr. Vardges Edoyan’s opinion the national peculiarities are also of great importance, which must be put into execution in the educational process. It was also mentioned that advertising campaigns will be implemented within the scope of the project by TV, Radio and Mass Media, the textbooks developed by responsible lecturers forteaching of above mentioned subjects will be published.

Lana Karlova introduced the ERASMUS-MUNDUS project, which creates big opportunities for the ones, who are willing to continue their education by providing appropriate grants. At the end of the meeting it was decided that

• responsible lecturers must prepare the brief description (draft) of the subject by the15-th of March, 2008;
• at that time an expanded meeting of working group will also be organized, where all the raised issues will be discussed in details;
• the whole presentation of each subject, which must take place in Sweden, must be ready by the 15-th of April, 2008, which will also be accompanied by the organization of a working group meeting.