Education has always been a crucial cornerstone of societal development, and in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for innovative solutions in the educational sector became more apparent than ever.
Ruzanna Hovhannisyan, a 26-year-old professional with a background in Cross-cultural Communications, Linguistics, and English, recognized this need and found her passion in the realm of education, IT, and the ever-evolving world of technology. As a Product Manager at Armenian Code Academy, she channeled her expertise and enthusiasm to contribute to the creation of an online learning platform called Techschool.
Remote learning opportunities at Techschool
The COVID-19 pandemic brought about unprecedented challenges for businesses and educational centers in Armenia to adapt to remote learning and face greater obstacles, such as technology access and maintaining the quality of education. However, innovative approaches were swiftly implemented, including the establishment of Techschool, formerly known as Bootcamp, in April 2022. This was supported by EU4Business.
Techschool serves as a comprehensive online learning platform, offering a wide range of courses and resources to help individuals develop and enhance their skills in the field of technology.
The platform is designed to empower learners of all levels, providing them with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in today's tech-driven world. With a vast library of courses covering programming, soft skills, data science, design, and more, Techschool caters to the diverse needs and interests of a broad range of learners.
The courses in Techschool are created and taught by industry experts and experienced instructors who are enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge and insights.
“The curriculum is carefully crafted to be engaging, interactive, and practical, allowing learners to apply what they learn to real-world projects and scenarios,” explains Ruzanna Hovhannisyan. “Additionally, Techschool offers various learning options, including self-paced learning, Armenian content, live sessions, office hours, and teaching assistance, ensuring that learners have flexibility and support throughout their educational journey.”
Enhancing objectives with an EU4Business grant
In 2022, Techschool received an EU4Business 50000 euro grant under the “Innovative Tourism and Technology Development for Armenia” (ITTD) project that provided significant funding to advance Techschool’s objectives. The support was instrumental in enhancing educational programs and achieving positive outcomes. “With EU4Business assistance, Techschool successfully developed a user-friendly website and a robust learning management system, enabling the creation and delivery of engaging online courses,” says Ruzanna.
The grant also facilitated the content production process, resulting in a diverse range of course offerings. As a result, Techschool was able to launch its activities with several courses, providing valuable educational opportunities to learners.
Ruzanna considers that the impact of the grant cannot be overstated: “Without it, Techschool would have faced significant challenges in achieving its goals. The support played a crucial role in overcoming financial barriers and providing the necessary resources to drive educational initiatives forward. The grant empowered Techschool to execute essential initiatives that would have been difficult or impossible to accomplish otherwise”.
With a user-friendly platform, engaging courses, and a commitment to continuous improvement, Techschool is empowering individuals to acquire valuable skills and thrive in the fast-paced world of technology.
Techschool has made significant strides in revolutionizing online education in Armenia. Ruzanna and her team are proud to contribute to the advancement of education by providing learners with accessible and high-quality learning experiences.
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The EU4Business “Innovative Tourism and Technology Development for Armenia” (ITTD) project is ongoing in Armenia. Its overall objective is to ensure shared, balanced, and inclusive growth in tourism and innovative industries. The project is working with innovative tourism ventures in the northern regions of Armenia, providing support to hi-tech and innovative entrepreneurs, organizing international knowledge exchanges for hi-tech researchers, and establishing networks to foster a business culture among students and the general public.
Under the ITTD project, more than 150 ventures have already received support, with has helped sustain or generate a total of 400 jobs and provided training for over 1000 individuals.
