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Synopsys, Inc., a world leader in software and IP used in the design, verification and manufacture of electronic components and systems, today announced that the Seventh Annual International Microelectronics Olympiad of Armenia will be held on October 4, 2012 in Yerevan, Armenia. For the first time, the event will be held in cooperation with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Test Technology Technical Council (TTTC). IEEE’s participation highlights the contest’s growing international reputation.

Initiated in 2006, the Olympiad is held under the patronage of the Prime Minister of Armenia. Synopsys Armenia CJSC is the general organizer and a sponsor of the Olympiad. The general sponsor is Vivacell-MTS, Armenia’s leading mobile operator. The Olympiad is also sponsored by Unicomp CJSC, Enterprise Incubator Foundation, Microsoft RA, Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia, Union of Information Technology Enterprises, Arminco CJSC, Viasphere Technopark and INGO ARMENIA ICJSC.

In keeping with the theme of “Meeting the Challenges of Design and Test,” the contestants in the Olympiad will compete in the areas of digital IC design and test, analog and mixed-signal IC design and test, semiconductor devices and technology, and mathematic and algorithmic issues of electronic design automation (EDA).

Guided by the motto “Recognize the best, inspire the next,” the Olympiad aims to highlight the brightest, most talented engineers under the age of 30. The Olympiad goals are to stimulate further development of microelectronics in Armenia and in the participating countries by: recognizing and inspiring talented engineers; increasing interest in microelectronics among young specialists; discerning the level of knowledge of participants in the field of microelectronics in order to make necessary adjustments to regional educational programs; and creating a community of young specialists involved in microelectronics.

“The first Armenian Microelectronics Olympiad in 2006 attracted 82 participants. The event has since grown to an international contest including numerous award categories and 349 participants from 12 countries,” said Rich Goldman, the president of the Olympiad Organizing Committee, CEO of Synopsys Armenia and vice president for Corporate Marketing and Strategic Alliances at Synopsys. “Working with IEEE will enable further growth. As one of the world’s most respected and recognized professional engineering society, the IEEE sponsors more than 1000 annual conferences and meetings in 81 countries and is highly involved in the technical program development of numerous events including trade shows, training workshops, and job fairs. IEEE’s recognition of the Olympiad also benefits Armenia by highlighting it as a Center of Excellence for Microelectronics Education.”

“This collaboration is a win-win-win situation for IEEE, for the Olympiad, and for Armenia as a country,” said Dr. Yervant Zorian, president of the IEEE TTTC and chief architect at Synopsys. “The involvement of IEEE, the largest organization of electrical and electronic engineers, helps the Olympiad gain more international recognition. The Olympiad contributes to IEEE’s efforts to encourage and support an interest in technology in young adults; holding the contest in Armenia highlights the country’s technical leadership.”

“The IEEE TTTC’s decision to endorse the Annual International Microelectronics Olympiad is a key acknowledgement of its success in promoting technology development in this region over the past six years,” said Vazgen Melikyan, president of the Olympiad Program Committee, director of Synopsys Armenia Educational Department (SAED), honorable scientist of Armenia and Sc.D. professor. “I am confident the cooperation of IEEE TTTC will result in a significantly greater number of highly knowledgeable participants from around the globe.”