Monthly №5 Newsletter 2017

For a Better Business Environment

MONTHLY MONTHLY N1

№5 NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER

American Chamber Of Commerce in Armenia AmCham is an independent business association operating in Armenia since 2000. AmCham represents the interests of more than 100 member companies from almost all sectors of the economy. AmCham’s goal is to enhance US-Armenia business relations and improve business and investment climate in the country. AmCham is a member of US Chamber of Commerce and European Council of American Chambers of Commerce. AmCham is pleased to have also British, French and other European companies as members.

CONTACT US 1 Amiryan St., Armenia Marriott Hotel, 3rd floor, room 315, 317, Yerevan 0010, RA Email: info@amcham.am/ amcham@arminco.com Tel: (+374 10) 599 187 (+374 10) 599 902 Visit our page: www.amcham.am

PUBLISHED AND DESIGNED BY AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN ARMENIA

––

May 2017

AMCHAM LEADERSHIP MEETS WITH THE HEAD OF THE STATE REVENUE COMMITTEE On 5 May 2017, the Head of the State Revenue Committee (SRC), Mr. Vardan Harutyunyan hosted AmCham leadership in an informal setting. The participants discussed short- and long-term strategy of SRC geared towards better business environment, and in particular attraction of foreign investment; the new Tax Code and its impact on Armenia’s economy; as well as further cooperation paths between SRC and AmCham. In the near future, AmCham will organize AmCham membership meeting with the Deputy Head of SRC, Mr. Vakhtang Mirumyan, to give the opportunity to AmCham members to raise questions that may need further clarification. AmCham is a member of Public Council on Revenue Administration Reforms under the SRC.

SEVERAL AMCHAM BOARD MEMBERS VISITED SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGES ARMENIA On 13 May 2017, several AmCham board members conducted a site visit to SOS Children’s Villages in Ijevan, Tavush. Idjevan was the second location in Armenia after Kotayk, where SOS Children's Villages started working by either helping families care for their children or by providing an alternative, a SOS family, where kids get a lovingfamily, home and a second chance just to be a child.

SOS Children’s Villages Armenia team welcomed the guests and presented the history of the organization, its projects and explained the family model designed to raise children in need in a safe and healthy environment.

Also, the participants visited local houses built by SOS Children’s Villages Armenia, where every child belonged to a family and grew with love, respect, and security.

Later, the attendees were invited to the outdoor dinner.

The board members were impressed by the impact SOS Children’s Villages makes in Armenia and thanked the team for their commitment and dedication to such an important mission. To learn more about SOS Children’s Villages Armenia, please, visit the link.

AMCHAM PARTICIPATED AT THE “RENEWABLE ENERGY SHOWCASE” EVENT On 17 May 2017, AmCham participated at an exclusive, one-day event organized by the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan in partnership with ContourGlobal Hydro Cascade CJSC and several other partners. The event featured well known U.S. firms for the implementation of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and smarter grid for economic competitiveness in Armenia. The event held in a conference format with moderated series of individual company presentations. Seven prominent U.S. firms presented their companies’ solutions on the theme of Renewable Energy with attention to how they contribute to the benefits of sustainable energy, energy efficiency, and smarter grid for economic competitiveness. The program also included panel discussions and presentations by the Government of Armenia, international financial institutions, and commercial finance options. The audience included representatives from major Armenian companies, business leaders, and relevant officials of the Government of Armenia.

AMCHAM MEMBERSHIP MEETING WITH THE HEAD OF THE RA STATE TOURISM COMMITTEE On 24 May 2017, AmCham Armenia and the European Business Association organized “Mapping Armenia as a World-class Tourism Destination: Opportunities, Challenges, and Path Forward” Forum. This event was a follow-up to tourism/hospitality sectorial meeting organized by AmCham in March. During the event Ms. Deborah Grieser, USAID/Armenia Mission Director greeted AmCham’s sectorial meetings initiative and stated: “Over the past two decades, the United States has been supporting the development of Armenia’s tourism sector as part of our broader efforts in boosting economic growth and rural development in the country... The development of Armenia's tourism sector is an important long-term effort that requires public and private sectors' commitment and partnership. The U.S. encourages the constructive dialogue between the public and private sector through events such as this. When private sector representatives vocalize their issues and the government focuses its efforts towards one goal, this partnership creates tangible and mutually beneficial outcomes.” Mr. Nerses Nersisyan, AmCham’s 2nd Vice President, stated that tourism sector development would positively impact the economic growth and would reduce the poverty rates. Thus, fundamental steps should be taken towards it. Mr. Hovhannes Azizyan, the Deputy Minister of the RA Ministry of Economic Development and Investments mentioned that the development of the tourism sector depended on three key components: public-private partnership, infrastructural development, and tourism/hospitality human resource talent. Ms. Zarmine Zeytuntsyan, the Head of the RA State Tourism Committee presented the 2017-2020 Tourism Development Strategy and talked about potential public-private partnership opportunities. At the end of the event, a Q&A session was held and followed by a “Wine & Cheese” reception.

AMCHAM’S “BE MY GUEST” WITH OPTYM ARMENIA On 29 May 2017, in the scope of AmCham’s “Be My Guest” series, OPTYM Armenia hosted executives of AmCham member companies. The guests conducted a tour at the premises of OPTYM Armenia and learned about company’s culture and values. Later on, Mr. Arthur Ghulyan, OPTYM Armenia Director, and his team delivered a presentation about OPTYM’s projects worldwide and in Armenia. It was a knowledge sharing session, where guests learned about the global trends in the intersection of IT and Transportation.

After a dynamic and lively Q&A session a reception was held, which served as a productive networking platform. OPTYM is a global company based in the United States, which is specialized in decision automation and optimization systems. Most recently, OPTYM expanded their presence in Yerevan, Armenia. OPTYM Armenia is AmCham member since January 2017. To learn more about OPTYM, please visit the link.

INTERVIEW WITH… Q: What is the best thing about leading an international school in Armenia?

Robbie Reno Director at QSI International School of Yerevan

Q: QSI has been the first international school established in Armenia in 1995. How do you see the evolvement of the school during these two decades?

A: There has been a lot of change in the last 22 years. QSI-Yerevan started with 2 students in an old factory building. Today QSI-Yerevan has 148 students from 30 different countries in its own up-to-date school building. One of the greatest things about QSI as an organization is that every year one of the seven subjects (math, reading, writing, cultural studies, technology, science, PE/Music) are re-written to make sure that our curriculum is up-to-date with the changing world. Though much has changed over the years, our mission remains the same. The mission of Quality Schools International is to keep the urge to learn alive in every child in QSI schools. We believe that all students can succeed. QSI-Yerevan is not only a school. We are committed to building a strong community of families, which we call our “QSI-Yerevan Family” as we are always united to face the obstacles, good or difficult, together.

Q: What initially inspired you to pursue a career in education?

A: I pursued a career in education because I wanted to make a difference in the lives’ of children. I feel lucky to have a career that has a positive impact with people who will reach many others on a daily basis. This career allows me to lead a school and at the same time I am able to help create a positive educational environment that can empower youth to achieve their goals.

A: Armenia and its people are a hidden gem in the world. The local Armenian staff and patrons are some of the best people I have met. Their dedication to the students and the school inspires me daily. While at the same time, the setting of an international school here at QSI-Yerevan offers so much diversity. Having our international school in Armenia allows our international and local students opportunities to explore the rich history and culture connecting this to our up-to-date curriculum while attending QSI-Yerevan.

Q: Given your recent appointment as QSI principal what is your vision for the next 5-10 years and what are the key transformations/ changes you are going to introduce to school?

A: The main transformation will be more opportunities for our secondary students. I’d also like to focus on our school spirit, athletic opportunities, and collaboration with other schools. As of this school year, we have recreated our school logo and we have collaborated with 10 local schools in various academic and sporting events. I want this to continue. I strongly support both Student Council and National Honor Society programs at our school. These give our students many opportunities where they learn to be leaders by completing community service projects.

They also learn how to work together to complete various challenging tasks. In the next 5-10 years, QSI will continue to update our curriculum annually. I’m planning facility and technology upgrades to keep up with the ever changing technology tools for staff and students.

Q: What are the key soft skills does QSI arm its pupils to get them ready for a dynamic and digitalized world?

A: Teaching soft skills is very critical for students competing for jobs in this day and age. QSIYerevan has seven success orientations that are considered soft skills that we incorporate into our curriculum and philosophy: Trustworthiness, Responsibility, Concern for Others, Kindness and Politeness, Group Interaction, Aesthetic Appreciation, and Independent Endeavor. All of these are key soft skills beyond the digital world we live in. We explicitly teach these and students are assessed on these skills. The Success Orientations teach students to build the kind of personal skills that lead to success both today and in their future. QSI-Yerevan also teaches students to be critical thinkers. This is a skill that is crucial in this global world we live in today.

Q: Upon school graduation, what are the key high education institutions students apply to and get accepted by?

A: When a student graduates QSI-Yerevan, it is very similar to graduating from high school in the United States. We are accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in the United States. Because of this our students have the opportunity to go anywhere. We have had many students who go all over the world. Here is a list of the past three years of the colleges students have attended: American University of Dubai, UAE; Emerson University, USA; Fordham University, USA; Georgia Institute of Technology, USA; New York University, USA; Nova Southeastern University, USA; Pepperdine University, USA; Rochester Institute of Technology, USA; Rollins College, USA; Simmons College, USA; Univer sity of California at Berkeley, USA; University of Miami, USA; University of Southern California, USA; Medical University of Armenia, Armenia; American University of Armenia, Armenia; Bishop's University, Canada; Concordia University, Canada; McGill University, Canada; American Business School of Paris, France; Aristotle Medical University of Thessaloniki, Greece; International Institute of Languages and Media, Italy.

Q: What are the three positive things you think you’ve done since you’ve become QSI Director?

A: I have set weekly staff meetings to help created an environment of teacher collaboration.

I’ve created different committees in which everyone has a part to play to make our school the best for students.

Lastly, I am always open to talking with students, parents, and/or community members. I like to hear a lot of feedback, concerns, and alternative ideas. I feel it leads to a positive professional learning environment Q: What is your philosophy of teaching?

A: My philosophy is simple. Do what is best for kids. By following that philosophy, using the best materials, best books and the best researched based instructional strategies the outcomes are endless. When making any decision about students I always frame the question “Is this what is best for kids?”. Putting kids first empowers them to achieve anything.

I encourage those interested in QSI-Yerevan to schedule a time to come meet me and experience QSI-Yerevan for yourself.