VIDEO: The Academic City Will Operate from 2030, Says Zhanna Andreasyan

The "Academic City" project is a significant initiative, and its implementation will need to occur in phases. During this period, we are also discussing which tasks should be prioritized at each stage, said Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan in a conversation with reporters.

“First and foremost, we need to establish infrastructure. In the first phase, we also plan for a national stadium, which is one of our most important tasks. We have also discussed the construction of a modern concert hall, which is also planned for the first phase. Extensive work needs to be done to reach the design phase. We will be able to start design work on separate buildings from February 2025, while the specifics of the actual construction plan will be clarified over time, as they depend on many factors,” the minister stated.

Andreasyan mentioned that the total value of the project can only be accurately provided once the competitions have taken place. “Currently, we are talking about preliminary estimates because there are regulatory norms in the form of consolidated calculations. This is a large-scale project with a considerable cost, referring to several trillion drams,” she noted.

The minister emphasized that the state does not envision executing the project independently. “At this moment, we are finalizing the investment program. There is quite a significant interest from the private sector regarding the "Academic City" project. One of our upcoming tasks will also be to work with partners for the realization of the City,” she added.

Speaking about the operational timeline for the "Academic City," Andreasyan stated, “The "Academic City" will begin functioning in 2030, but it will do so according to a phased principle. Initially, certain infrastructure will be available, and then more will be added.”