The government has approved the Academic City development concept. Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan said that the main construction works are planned to begin in 2027 .
“I would like to recall that on October 19, 2023, we approved the Academic City development concept, which contained our initial vision and ideas for the project. Since then, extensive work has been carried out. We are now at a stage where the completed work allows us to approve the concept in a revised version, making our upcoming tasks much clearer and more visible,” she said, according to 1lurer.am .
The minister also presented the work carried out over the past year, emphasizing the involvement of international partners.
“We have from the outset considered it important that the project be developed based on international best practices and meet modern urban planning, educational and technological standards,” she noted.
According to her, the German architectural firm GMP has developed the master plan for the Academic City, which has been submitted for comprehensive expert review and approval in accordance with legislation. Another German consulting organization prepared the strategic urban development framework, which was particularly important for forming a comprehensive risk management database and action plan. The Italian company Systematica conducted a transport and mobility study, which became a key component of the project. TUM International developed both the technological cluster model and the governance system for the Academic City .
Currently, Ernst & Young is finalizing the financial feasibility, viability and investment analysis of the project. The report is expected in March and will allow the completion of the investment package and the launch of investment-related work with partners through dedicated workshops.
In addition, in cooperation with reputable universities, work is underway on the formation of the educational cluster and the content and structure of the arts cluster. Negotiations are also ongoing with Cambridge regarding involvement in the classical cluster.
Andreasyan added that based on the completed work, the concept has been fully revised. The updated document defines the vision, mission, core principles and targets of the Academic City, the governance model, organizational structure, general cluster model and descriptions, location, infrastructure and territorial development principles. Risk management and sustainability issues are also separately reflected in the concept.
The Academic City project also includes a talent development program, which will launch nationwide efforts to identify and develop talent. The program is intended to implement the principle enshrined in the education development strategy that the mission of the education system is to identify and maximize each individual’s talent, expanding opportunities for prosperity within the country.
The concept outlines the development of a financial strategy for implementation, making the project’s valuation and budgeting process more systematic and ensuring investment opportunities and private sector engagement. A phased implementation strategy with an updated timeline and stage descriptions has been planned, along with an accountability system to guarantee transparency and public trust.
In the first phase, dormitories for up to 4,250 students will be built. Construction will begin on a public multifunctional cultural concert and conference center with an area of more than 74,000 square meters, as well as the creation of a technological cluster with a total area exceeding 628,000 square meters, including educational, research and engineering infrastructure.
Andreasyan noted that the project is already in an active working phase. Tender packages related to infrastructure are being prepared, including for the relocation of high-voltage power lines and irrigation works. Other substantive and organizational processes are also underway.
She added that land clearing began last year. A total of 2.7 hectares have been cleared of waste, and about 10,000 cubic meters of garbage have been removed from the site, preparing it for infrastructure construction works.
