EU eyes Synopsys Armenia model for chip design training
Armenpress
The European Union is looking to Armenia’s chip design education ecosystem as a potential model for training the next generation of specialists. Built over more than 20 years through the efforts of Synopsys Armenia, the program has drawn EU interest amid growing demand for the semiconductor workforce.
Dr. Yervant Zorian, President of Synopsys Armenia, told Armenpress that the Armenian program could serve as a foundation for training new specialists in a number of European countries.
According to the company president, Armenia’s experience will help European countries train chip design specialists, a profession that is in steady global demand.
On 5 May 2026, at the first EU–Armenia Summit, six Letters of Intent were handed over by the EU to key Armenian companies and foundations. Synopsys Armenia is one of those six, with the partnership focusing on strengthening semiconductor skills and links between education and industry, benefiting Armenia and the European Union’s competitiveness.
These six Letters of Intent reflect the growing engagement between the EU and Armenian stakeholders. They show that the partnership is already translating into concrete cooperation and opportunities for citizens and economies, laying the groundwork for future cooperation.
Asked about the timeframe for the cooperation and its details, Dr. Zorian said:
“In general, the European Union has supported Armenia through various programs for many years. In this case, however, an effort has been made to identify initiatives through which Armenia can contribute to Europe. One such initiative is Synopsys Armenia’s university education program, through which we train specialists in chip design,” Zorian said.
Synopsys Armenia Educational Department (SAED) offers advanced education for Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in “IC Design” and “EDA” specializations, as well as PhD programs in “Automated Systems” and “Microelectronics and Nanoelectronics” specializations.
According to Dr. Zorian, chip design is currently a field of global importance, where there is a shortage of specialists almost everywhere—from the United States to Japan, China, and Europe. In Armenia, an educational program in this field has been running for more than 20 years, and thanks to it, a well-established system for training specialists has been formed.
“The European Union has seen the effectiveness of this program and is interested in applying it in its own countries as well. Today, various initiatives are being implemented in the United States, Canada, and Europe to develop the chip design sector. It is necessary to increase the number of chip design specialists, and in this context, Synopsys Armenia can support EU member states by sharing its experience and educational model,” he noted.
No specific timelines have yet been set, as the implementation of the program must be coordinated with various countries. However, negotiations are already underway with several countries regarding the introduction of the Armenian educational program in their training centers.
He clarified that the initiative is aimed primarily not at universities, but at training centers where professionals who already hold higher education degrees will study. The courses will last an average of four to six months.
“A significant part of Synopsys Armenia’s program is based on the company’s technological solutions, software tools, and intellectual property. These will be provided to the new training centers that will be established in European countries,” he said.
Dr. Zorian explained that the chip creation process consists of two main stages: design and manufacturing. In the first stage, chip architects and designers develop new solutions for AI, the automotive industry, robotics, and other fields. In the second stage, those designs are transformed into actual semiconductor products.
“Today, nearly all the smart devices we use—phones, watches, glasses, and many other technologies—are based on chips. That is why the world needs more chip designers, and our educational program is specifically aimed at training such specialists,” he emphasized.
According to him, about 150 new specialists graduate from the program in Armenia each year. The number of applicants exceeds the number of admitted students several times, making it possible to select the best candidates.
Speaking about the future of the sector, Dr. Zorian noted that technological development will be largely driven by chips.
“Artificial intelligence, robotics, and almost all intelligent systems of the future are based on chips. Armenia has been developing this field for about 25 years and today already has a large professional community and highly qualified specialists. We can not only be useful to Europe but also continue strengthening Armenia’s position as one of the leading centers for chip design,” he concluded.
