Synopsys Celebrates 10th Anniversary in Armenia during Synopsys Week

The week started with overview presentations being given by all the business units of Synopsys Armenia. "Armenia is the home of one of Synopsys' largest R&D sites and the engineers there are involved in strategic product development," said Chi-Foon Chan, president and co-CEO at Synopsys. "Their work, coupled with ongoing business, academia and government cooperation, is crucial for the growth of the high-tech industry in Armenia. We're committed to contributing to the development of the semiconductor industry in Armenia and to providing our local and global customers with leading-edge technology."

"Over the past 10 years Synopsys' employee roster in Armenia has grown fivefold," said Anwar Awad, the CEO of Synopsys Armenia. "Today, the Armenia site plays an important role with more than 650 employees contributing their talent, leadership, execution excellence and passion to the overall success of Synopsys. Armenian teams apply their professionalism and commitment to developing leading-edge solutions that address the challenges of the complete range of semiconductor processes."

Since establishing Synopsys Armenia in 2004, the company has initiated several consistent and sustainable programs aimed at supporting the development of the high-tech industry in Armenia and the region. Synopsys Armenia implements successful programs in cooperation with major Armenian universities such as State Engineering University of Armenia (SEUA), Yerevan State University (YSU), European Regional Academy (ERA), Russian-Armenian (Slavonic) University (RAU), the National Research University of Electronic Technology (MIET) and with several universities in Russia, China, India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Jordan. Through Synopsys Armenia Educational Department (SAED), Synopsys provides a modern educational environment and customized curricula that enables engineering students to gain hands-on experience using Synopsys' comprehensive, industry-leading electronic design automation (EDA) University Tools Package, and to enter the workforce with the skills necessary to be quickly productive in the fast-paced world of semiconductor design.

During Synopsys Week Dr. Chi-Foon Chan was awarded with the Gold Medal by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia for outstanding contributions to Armenia's IT higher education system. On the same day he was conferred with an honorary doctorate degree by the State Engineering University of Armenia.

Synopsys continuously encourages and introduces innovations into the university educational system in the region. Large-scale internship programs, participation in conferences and master classes, publication of articles and thesis motivate and help SAED students to become state-of-the-art professionals. The latest investment of the company included the purchase of 25 electronic books which are available at the SAED resource center and library.

"SAED has provided the industry with more than 400 highly skilled engineers. We are delighted to help them build strong careers and make a significant impact on IC design and EDA tool development," said Professor Vazgen Melikyan, honorable scientist of RA and director of SAED. "It's inspiring to see them pursue an engineering career in parallel with scientific endeavors. To date, the program has provided Armenia with 35 Ph.D. specialists who also teach at SAED."

To support IT development in Armenia, Synopsys established and sponsored incentive programs such as "The Annual Educational Award of the President of the Republic of Armenia in the IT Sphere." Founded in 2005, the award serves as a strong incentive for Armenia's youth to further enhance their expertise and continue the tradition of engineering excellence. On October 16, 2014, during the 10th award ceremony of the best IT students at the Presidential House, the President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan presented Dr. Chi-Foon Chan, Synopsys President and Co-CEO, with a special award as recognition of Synopsys' significant contribution to Armenia's engineering excellence through the cultivation of innovative R&D talent in the country.

Another essential program, the "Annual International Microelectronics Olympiad of Armenia," was initiated by Synopsys in 2006 under the patronage of the Prime Minister of Armenia. The Olympiad aims to increase interest in microelectronics among young specialists. The ninth Olympiad has attracted 856 young professionals from 22 countries across the globe.

Synopsys demonstrates corporate social responsibility (CSR) not only by contributing to the progress of Armenian society, but also by serving as an example to local companies, inspiring them to give back to the community. Throughout the last decade, Synopsys has reached out to the community to address important issues in the areas of education, the environment and youth development. This year Synopsys Armenia, in cooperation with the Yerevan Municipality, will hold a tree planting event guided by the slogan "One tree from each employee," bringing the total number of trees planted in Armenia by Synopsys employees to 6000.

"In addition to implementing numerous public, social and representative events to contribute to the development of IT over the last decade, Synopsys Armenia has worked to establish a culture of corporate social responsibility in our country," said Hovik Musayelyan, director of Synopsys Armenia. "Synopsys Week in Armenia is not just a series of celebrations. The events reaffirm the leading role of Synopsys in the IT sphere of our country."

"Synopsys Week in Armenia 2014"
Schedule of Events

• Oct. 15, 18:00-19:00, Synopsys President and Co-CEO Chi-Foon Chan's awarding with the Honorary Doctor Degree by the State Engineering University of Armenia (SEUA). Venue: SEUA 3^rd building, 2^nd floor, Hall of Rector's Council
• Oct. 16, 10:00 - 14:00, Ninth Annual International Microelectronics Olympiad of Armenia. Final stage with participation of the winners from 22 countries (winners of the 1st stage of the Olympiad held in 22 countries previously. The countries are: Argentina, Armenia, Belarus, China, Egypt, Georgia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Jordan, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, UAE, UK, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA and Vietnam). Venue: Synopsys Armenia Educational Department (SAED)
• Oct. 16, 15:30-17:00, Official awarding ceremony of the winners of the "Educational Award of the President in IT Sphere" in the Presidential House
• Oct. 16, 18:00-21:00, Gala Evening and Reception honoring the winners of the Educational Award of the President in IT Sphere and Awarding ceremony of the winners of the Ninth Annual International Microelectronics Olympiad of Armenia. Venue: Aram Khachatryan museum
• Oct. 17, 15:00 -16:30, Simultaneous chess session with participation of Synopsys Armenia employees and an Armenian grandmaster Robert Hovhannisyan. Venue: Synopsys Armenia

About Synopsys, Inc. and Synopsys Armenia CJSC
Synopsys, Inc. accelerates innovation in the global electronics market. As a leader in EDA and semiconductor IP, Synopsys delivers software, IP and services to help engineers address their design, verification, system and manufacturing challenges. Since 1986, engineers around the world have been using Synopsys technology to design and create billions of chips and systems. Synopsys established a presence in Armenia in 2004 as Synopsys Armenia closed joint stock company (CJSC). Synopsys Armenia CJSC provides R&D and product support in EDA, design for manufacturing (DFM) and the development of semiconductor intellectual property (IP). Employing several hundred qualified Armenian engineers, Synopsys is one of the largest IT employers in Armenia. To encourage the highest levels of accomplishment for students in IT, the company sponsors several awards and competitions. Synopsys Armenia's investment in the community reaches well beyond IT. In 2010, Synopsys Armenia was recognized as one of 12 finalists for the U.S. Secretary of State's annual Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE), citing the company's technology and financial leadership as well as its charity work and volunteer activities. Synopsys Armenia CJSC is located in Yerevan. Synopsys, Inc. is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and has approximately 70 offices located throughout North America, Europe, Japan, Asia and India. Visit Synopsys, Inc. and Synopsys Armenia online at www.synopsys.com and www.synopsys.am.

Editorial Contacts
Gayane Markosyan
Synopsys Armenia CJSC
41 Arshakunyats Avenue
ViaSphere Technopark, Bldg. #1
Republic of Armenia, 0026 Yerevan
T: (37410) 49 2356
F: (37410) 49 2696
E: gayanem@synopsys.com