A Tumo Hub Opens in Berd City

On December 28, within the framework of the collaboration between the Tumo Creative Technology Center, the Central Bank of Armenia, and Amundi-ACBA Asset Management, the second Tumo hub was opened in the border town of Berd in the Tavush region.

Attending the opening ceremony were the Minister of High-Tech Industry Hakob Arshakyan, Tavush Governor Hayk Chobanyan, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Armenia Nerses Yeritsyan, Tumo graduates, and future students of the Tavush hub.

Welcoming the attendees, Tumo Center Director Mari Lou Papazyan noted, "The idea of the Tumo hub was born years ago when we conducted a special graphic design course in Dilijan with the Homeland Development Initiative Foundation for the youth of Berd, where the participants created the branding for a honey and berry festival. Inspired by the success of the participants, we began working on the idea of creating mini-Tumos in small towns and villages of Armenia and Artsakh and connecting them with the existing larger centers. It is symbolic that today we also have participants of that course at this event to present the results of their work."

“I congratulate the Tumo Center and the residents of the Berd community on the opening of the Tumo hub. The existence of such infrastructure in our communities is very important. It provides additional opportunities for our children to receive alternative education, get acquainted with new technologies, and see how these technologies are changing the world and various sectors, from agriculture to defense,” said Minister of High-Tech Industry Hakob Arshakyan in his speech.

The importance of collaboration and the project was emphasized by the director of Amundi-ACBA joining the event via video link, Hayk Mazezyan. “When we decided to implement a culture of social responsibility, we selected education and culture as our sectors. Choosing the Tumo Center as a partner was very natural, as our goals in these areas aligned. As a result, we have this new mini-Tumo in Berd, opening up new opportunities in the educational life of the community.”

The goal of the Tumo hub project is to make Tumo's educational program accessible to the youth of small communities. It is a small yet technologically equipped mini-Tumo. Students will go through the self-learning phase of the Tumo educational program at the hub, while practical classes will be conducted at Tumo Dilijan. Each Tumo hub will provide educational opportunities in technologies and design for approximately 320 youths annually. Besides the main Tumo program, the hub can also be utilized for other educational programs in the morning hours.

“The presence of Tumo in our region has three advantages. First, the center itself is a long-term development program and serves as a catalyst for changes through education in communities. Second, it develops the existing engineering and technological potential of the youth in Tavush, particularly in Berd. Third, it introduces a new corporate culture from aesthetics to community activation,” emphasized Tavush Governor Hayk Chobanyan.

“The Central Bank, like any corporate entity, has its social responsibility, and we chose Tumo in Dilijan as a partner, trusting the center's mission. In this regard, I would like to stress that the development of creative thinking in our country is of utmost importance, which can open very serious opportunities in the future,” noted Central Bank Deputy Governor Nerses Yeritsyan.

Tumo will continue its programs aimed at regional development; a Tumo hub was also opened in Gavar last week, and it is planned to establish several other hubs in various locations in Armenia and Artsakh in 2021.