The official IELTS (International English Language Testing System) testing center has been opened at the National Polytechnic University of Armenia.

This partnership between the Polytechnic University and the British Council is really unique, as except for the British Council, NPUA center is the only official IELTS international testing center in the Republic of Armenia. The IELTS testing system is the worldwide English language test for higher education and global migration. It is one of the two major English language tests all over the world, the other being the TOEFL. IELTS assesses all four English language skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking.

NPUA Rector Gor Vardanyan,  the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NPUA Tigran Avinyan,  the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Great Britain to Armenia John Gallagher,  Director of the Armenian branch of the British Council Addeh Hovasapyan,  the co-founder and general manager of Team Telecom Armenia and Hayk Yesayan were present at the opening ceremony.

Gor Vardanyan, NPUA Rector, has welcomed those present, underlining the following: “As a result of long-term work with the British Council, an official IELTS testing center is opened today at the National Polytechnic University of Armenia. The center comprises two exam rooms with 24 and 16 computers provided by Team Telecom Armenia and a special front house area. This testing center will create a new opportunity for the Polytechnic University in terms of improving the English language knowledge for the professional and student population of the university.

At the same time, this is an excellent cooperation with the British Council in the process of expanding our partnership and creating new possible ways of cooperation. I would like to underline the fact that currently professional progress in the field of high technologies is mainly connected with English language competence and the National Polytechnic University of Armenia in its activities and strategy attaches importance to the improvement of the English language skills.

This center and collaboration with the professional community will give an opportunity to improve the teaching of the English language by the means of the training programs for English specialists that will be achieved as a result of the cooperation with the British Council”.

The rector expressed his gratitude to Hayk Yesayan, co-founder and general manager of Team Telecom Armenia, for his constant presence in the activities of the university.

“In case of any new initiatives that open opportunities and create new values for the university, both in the sphere of education and when providing new financial flows, the Team Telecom Armenia company always supports the university,” Gor Vardanyan pointed out. He expressed hope that this cooperation will be continuous.

Underlining the importance of the center’s opening, Tigran Avinyan, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NPUA, held a welcoming speech. “Every time we gather at the Polytechnic University on any new occasion, be it opening of a new room, a laboratory, a small but important transformation of the Polytechnic University, I am really delighted and proud. The changes that have started to take place since 2022 onwards are visible and tangible. I am sure that they will have a significant impact on the quality of education. The fact that the Polytechnic University opens similar centers and brings such experiences is a great achievement for the Polytechnic University,” Tigran Avinyan pointed out.

Expressing his gratitude to the ambassador, Tigran Avinyan pointed out that since 2018 many projects have been implemented in the Republic of Armenia with the help of the British Council. He also expressed his gratitude to the representatives of Team Telecom Armenia for their support.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Great Britain to Armenia John Gallagher pointed out that he is proud of the British education system, which is one of the best worldwide. “English is a global language, also in the field of science, including the information technology sphere. With the opening of the center, we support Armenian students to enter the British education system. This is a good way to support those students who want to develop their language skills and use the advantages of the British education system,” the ambassador pointed out.

General Manager of Team Telecom Armenia Hayk Yesayan highlighted that the knowledge of the English language is a necessary but not sufficient condition to get technical education and ensure further advancement. “When I studied at the Polytechnic University, there were neither good computers nor any conditions. Today, the Polytechnic University has an opportunity to hold qualification exams and open opportunities for people. This cooperation is another opportunity for Polytechnic University students and not only for them,” he pointed out.

Addeh Hovasapyan, director of the Armenian branch of the British Council, pointed out that today is a completely notable day. “3 months ago I had the first meeting with Mr. Vardanyan, during which we discussed the possibilities of our cooperation. Today we are implementing the first one.

As was highlighted, the Armenian branch of the British Council and the Polytechnic University, by signing this agreement of cooperation, will share their efforts to implement, and bring to life their common vision, which is the opening of opportunities for many talented students of the Polytechnic University, as well as to offer the IELTS test to a wider public, which I consider to be one of the most powerful tools for their future education and professional development.

It is conventional wisdom that English language qualifications are very important in the mission of the British Council. The IELTS test is one of those qualifications. During the past 20 years, we have tried to make a big contribution to the improvement of English language knowledge and quality in Armenia. I am glad that currently this opportunity is expanding. IELTS is one of the most popular language proficiency tests in the world, being used for both higher education and career building.

We believe that IELTS also opens doors for individuals to continue their education in the world’s leading educational institutions, as well as enables individuals to continue their education in English,” Addeh Hovasapyan pointed out.

In March, 2023, the official IELTS testing center at NPUA will accept IELTS test takers from all over the world.

The official IELTS testing center of NPUA is equipped with contemporary equipment, has the capacity to accept 40 test takers at the same time and is equipped with all the necessary conditions to ensure the comfort of test takers.