The Prime Minister discussed the progress of the Academic City program.

ArmInfo. A meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was held to discuss the progress of the "Academic City" program. Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan presented a report on the program's current and completed work. Specifically, the project's infrastructure and content were discussed.

It was noted that, in this context, work has already been completed to develop a concept for the consolidation of universities and assess needs, cooperation has been established with leading international universities on individual clusters, and decisions have been made to recognize the territory as a zone of primary public interest. In addition, work has been completed on developing a master plan, a framework program for urban development, and adapting the master plan to local conditions.

Andreasyan also presented detailed information on the estimated costs required to create the project's infrastructure and its implementation schedule.

Prime Minister Pashinyan emphasized that specific content and a roadmap are necessary for the program's implementation. He gave relevant instructions to those responsible regarding the upcoming work.

As a reminder, the minister previously announced that construction work in the town would begin in 2026.

The master plan for the town was developed by the German company gmp International GmbH Architects and Engineers. It will be built on land adjacent to Yerevan's 17th District. On January 4 of last year, the Armenian government adopted a draft resolution "On recognizing the priority public interest in certain areas located within the administrative boundaries of the city of Yerevan and the settlement of Sasunik in the Ashtarak community of the Aragatsotn region" for the construction of Academic City. The territory of Yerevan's 17th district, within the boundaries of which are located land plots owned by the state and the community, as well as land plots belonging to individuals and legal entities, as well as the territory occupied by the Amo Beknazaryan Hayfilm film studio, will be transferred to the Academic City Foundation.

The Academic City Foundation was established on April 21, 2023. On October 19 of last year, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the concept of the Academic City program. Presenting the project, Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan stated that, in accordance with Armenia's state development program until 2030, the Academic City is planned to be created as a modern environment for high-quality education and research. Andreasyan reported that the Academic City will house up to 16 universities—up to eight state-owned and up to eight private or international higher education institutions. Construction of the Academic City will cost 1.2 trillion drams.