GeoTAK

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION OF ARMENIA

University with a 100-Year History

GeoTAK

About the Project
Work Packages
Partners
Events

GeoTAK project, which is aimed at developing Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Programmes and Strengthening Research Networks in Geoinformation Technologies (GIT) in Armenia and Kyrgyzstan, has an official website.

The main goal of developing Postgraduate Higher Education Programmes in the field of Geoinformation Technologies (GIT) and strengthening research and innovation links between Armenia and Kyrgyzstan Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), industry and administrative systems will be accomplished through the following 6 steps:

SOCIAL NEEDS

Identification of needs aimed at regional and local research and development, where Geoinformation Technologies (GIT) can play an essential role, will be carried out through surveys, with the application of the representative sample of industry and engaging the stakeholders managing the involved sectors.

DEVELOPMENT OF RESEARCH NETWORKS

Development of research and innovation networks in Geoinformation Technologies in the two partner countries involved, as a means to foster the progressive development of the research structures and the innovation culture.

DEVELOPMENT OF RESEARCH CAPACITIES

Capacity development for research and innovation will be accomplished in the two partner countries through the acquisition of equipment, training of teachers, development of comprehensive topics and Postgraduate Academic Programmes.

QUALITY CONTROL AND RISK ASSESSMENT

The Quality Plan is aimed at systematically collecting, analyzing and applying data to answer the questions related to the effectiveness of the Project. The assessments will guide the Project management staff and partners on how to improve Project implementation.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Project Management is based on flexible communication and mutual respect between the partners; active participation of all the entities involved; technical efficiency in the implementation of tasks; cost-effectiveness for all the planned activities, and transparency in the technical and administrative reports.

DISSEMINATION AND EXPLOITATION

The promotion of the Project goals, activities and outcomes plays an important role in ensuring its sustainability and communication with society. The dissemination process is carried out through conferences, application of websites and social networks, reports, opening ceremonies or advertising brochures.

The duration of the Project is 3 years (2021-2023). See the Work Plan for each year by visiting the following link.


National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia (NUACA, Armenia)	The RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports (MoESCS, Armenia)	Cadastre Committee of the Republic of Armenia (CCRA Armenia)	Yerevan State University (YSU, Armenia)	Armenian National Agrarian University (ANAU, Armenia)	Kyrgyz State University of Geology, Mining and Natural Resources Development named after Academician U. Asanaliev (KSMU, Kyrgyzstan)	Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB, Belgium)

Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV, Spain)	Royal Institute of Technology (KTH, Sweden)	University of Ljubljana (UL, Slovenia)	Kyrgyz State University of Construction, Transport and Architecture named after N. Isanov (KSUCTA, Kyrgyzstan)	Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic (MES, Kyrgyzstan)	State Cartographic-Geodetic Service at the Kyrgyz State Agency for Land Resources under Government of the Kyrgyz Republic (Goscartography, Kyrgyzstan)	Osh Technological University named after M. M. Adyshev (OshTU, Kyrgyzstan)

Call for External Evaluator (GeoTAK Project)	The Erasmus+ GEOTAK project consortium searches for subcontracting an External Quality Expert to provide an independent review, including recommendations, on the achievements of the project implementation and the overall performance against plans and objectives. The Consortium will consider applications and proposals of individual experts or organizations specialized in monitoring and evaluating educational projects at the European level. The expert has to demonstrate the skills and experience required for conducting monitoring and evaluation reports following the Erasmus+ program. The required expertise and skills of the external evaluator and call details are available in the attached file.
	February 28, 2023 On February 28 of the present year, an information day of Erasmus+ projects for internal and external stakeholders was held at NUACA. As a partner university of various consortia, NUACA currently implements five Erasmus+ projects. Head of NUACA Education Quality Assurance and Development Center Varazdat Hovhannisyan presented the brief information on all the projects implemented by NUACA within the framework of the Erasmus+ programme. V. Hovhannisyan presented the information related to the Project “Developing Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Programmes and Strengthening Research Networks in Geoinformation Technologies in Armenia & Kyrgyzstan” (Erasmus+ GeoTAK). He noted that within the framework of the Project, a contract was signed between the “Yerevan State University”, “Armenian National Agrarian University” and “National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia” foundations, the purpose of which is to regulate the development, implementation, evaluation, quality monitoring, provision of material, financial, technical and human resources of a joint post-graduate higher education programme in the field of Geoinformation Technologies (GIT). V. Hovhannisyan highlighted another important event related to the Project, which is the letter of the RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, by which the “Yerevan State University”, “National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia” and “Armenian National Agrarian University” foundations were allowed to carry out a joint post-graduate pilot academic programme in the specialties “24.03.01 Geography” and “5.23.06 Geodesy, Including Cartography and Cadastre” within the framework of the GeoTAK Project under the condition of mutual recognition of credits. The speakers answered many questions of the event participants. The event was attended by NUACA Rector Yeghiazar Vardanyan, Vice-Rectors Robert Sukiasyan, Vardges Yedoyan, Manuk Barseghyan and Chief of the Staff Hovsep Hoveyan. NUACA Rector Y. Vardanyan extended his gratitude to all the attendees for participating in the event and for contributing to the Erasmus+ projects of NUACA.
	PERMISSION TO IMPLEMENT A POST-GRADUATE PILOT ACADEMIC PROGRAMME IN THE SPECIALTIES “24.03.01 GEOGRAPHY” AND “5.23.06 GEODESY, INCLUDING CARTOGRAPHY AND CADASTRE” WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF ERASMUS+ GEOTAK PROJECT On February 6, 2023, by the order of the RA Minister of Science, Education, Culture and Sports Mrs. Zh. Andreasyan, the “Yerevan State University”, “National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia” and “Armenian National Agrarian University” foundations were allowed to carry out a joint post-graduate pilot academic programme in the specialties “24.03.01 Geography” and “5.23.06 Geodesy, Including Cartography and Cadastre” within the framework of the GeoTAK Project under the condition of mutual recognition of credits.
	A CONTRACT SIGNED WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF ERASMUS+ GEOTAK PROJECT On February 6, 2023, within the framework of the Erasmus+ GeoTAK project, a contract was signed between the “Yerevan State University”, “Armenian National Agrarian University” and “National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia” foundations, the purpose of which is to regulate the development, implementation, evaluation, quality monitoring, provision of material, financial, technical and human resources of a joint post-graduate higher education programme in the field of Geoinformation Technologies (GIT). The signed contract defines the educational, scientific-research, international, informational, expert and consulting, material-technical and other directions of cooperation of mutual interest. The contract also defines the responsibilities of the parties who signed the contract.
	THE VISIT OF NUACA REPRESENTATIVES TO THE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF VALENCIA Within the framework of EU-funded ERASMUS+ GeoTAK Project, NUACA representatives, acting through the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs R. Sukiasyan, Head of the Education Quality Assurance and Development Center V. Hovhannisyan, lecturers of the Chair of Engineering Geodesy S. Kroyan, L. Yeghiyan and A. Mirzoyan, paid a visit to the Polytechnic University of Valencia to participate in the training courses on “Collection and Documentation of Cultural Heritage Data Using Geoinformation Technologies” organized by the School of Engineering in Geodesy, Cartography and Topography. The courses were held between November 28 and December 4, 2022. During the training, the participants got acquainted with the issues related to three-dimensional (3D) scanning/modeling of cultural objects, features of aerial imagery processing, and other topics. During the visit, the meeting of the GeoTAK Project management committee was also held, which discussed the issues related to the Project activities, schedule and financial situation. During the visit, NUACA Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs R. Sukiasyan and Head of the Education Quality Assurance and Development Center V. Hovhannisyan had a number of other meetings with the representatives of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV). In particular, they met with UPV Vice-Rector, the Dean and Deputy Deans of the Faculty of Architecture, the Dean and Deputy Deans of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, the representative of UPV Innovation Center “IDEA” , etc. The purpose of the meetings was not only the exchange of experience, but also the expansion and deepening of further cooperation in different directions.
	THE VISIT OF THE LECTURERS OF NUACA CHAIR OF ENGINEERING GEODESY TO THE VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL From December 5 to 8, 2022, the training course entitled “Geoinformation Systems during Natural Disasters” was held at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, which was attended by the lecturers of the Chair of Engineering Geodesy Naira Gyurjyan, Narine Harutyunyan and Davit Hakhverdyan. During the courses, the leading foreign experts presented to the training participants the peculiarities of spatial data management during natural disasters (earthquake, landslide, volcano eruptions), their binding with maps, and the software used in that process. Within the framework of the visit, the EM-DAT international disasters database software was presented to the participants in detail. The training participants actively discussed and prepared materials for the implementation of a joint post-graduate (PhD) academic programme, as well as discussed other programme proposals. The participants also visited the Center for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters in Brussels and the Parliament of the European Union, where they got acquainted with the innovations of the field.
	A WORKING MEETING IN NUACA WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF “ERASMUS+ GEOTAK” PROJECT The representatives of the Project Consortium partner universities and organisations from Sweden, Spain, Slovenia and Kyrgyzstan arrived in Yerevan with the aim of participating in the events organised within the framework of the Project “ERASMUS+ GeoTAK (617695-EPP-1-2020-1-ES-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP): Developing Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Programmes and Strengthening Research Networks in Geoinformation Technologies in Armenia and Kyrgyzstan”. The host of the event was Armenian National Agrarian University (ANAU). The representatives of National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia also actively participated in the meeting. Technical training sessions were organised at ANAU, during which issues related to national geodetic infrastructures, geodetic coordinate systems, as well as flight planning, data acquisition and processing of unmanned aerial vehicles were presented. A meeting was also held at the RA Cadastre Committee, where the participants discussed the opportunities and mission of the National Research Centre for Geoinformation Technologies. On October 13, the management team of the Project met with the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Karen Trchunyan. During the meeting, reference was made to the academic programmes developed within the framework of the Project, as well as the issue of the implementation of a joint post-graduate academic pilot programme in three universities of the RA (YSU, NUACA, and ANAU) was discussed. On October 14, NUACA hosted the delegation for a workshop on management issues. The participants were presented with information about the work done and to be expected within the framework of the Project. The management team of the Project also met with NUACA Rector Yeghiazar Vardanyan, discussing issues related to the work process of the Project and new perspectives of cooperation.
	Information Day for Internal and External Stakeholders On February 28 of the present year, an information day of Erasmus+ projects for internal and external stakeholders was held at NUACA. As a partner university of various consortia, National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia currently implements five Erasmus+ projects. Head of NUACA Education Quality Assurance and Development Center Varazdat Hovhannisyan, presented the main features, goals, objectives, expected results, as well as achievements of the “Erasmus+” Project “Developing Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Programmes and Strengthening Research Networks in Geoinformation Technologies in Armenia & Kyrgyzstan” (GeoTAK). Mr. Hovhannisyan answered many questions of the participants. The event was attended by NUACA management, represented by the Rector Y. Vardanyan. The Vice-Rector for International Relations V. Yedoyan highlighted the importance of the “Erasmus+” projects for NUACA development and the modernization of its academic programmes. NUACA Rector Mr. Y. Vardanyan extended his gratitude to all the attendees for participating in the event and contributing to the Erasmus+ projects of NUACA. Please find attached the agenda and the report.
	Participation in the “Space Observation and Environmental Monitoring” Course Acopian Center for the Environment of the American University of Armenia (AUA) together with five partner organizations has launched “Copernicus Assisted Environmental Monitoring Across the Black Sea Basin” (PONTOS) Project since July 1, 2020. Armine Hambardzumyan, a member of the GeoTAK-ANAU team, participated in the first part of the three-day course on “Space Observation and Environmental Monitoring” organized for young scientists and specialists within the framework of the PONTOS Project. The course was held at the American University of Armenia, and on the third day of the course practical field work was carried out in the Sevan Basin.
	Participation of Students in Practical Activities Within the framework of the Project, practical activities aimed at the application of geodetic digital technologies were carried out with the participation of students
	Training Course on Modern Technologies of Water and Soil Resources Management On May 27, 2021, expert and PhD in Technical Sciences Tigran Hovhannisyan conducted a training course on modern technologies of water and soil resources management on the topic “Opportunities of Soil Monitoring and Real Estate Cadastre Management in the Process of Introducing GIS Systems” at ANAU Technological Research Center for Water and Soil Resources Management.
	Training Course on the Use of the “Support System for Decision-Making” The representatives of Armenian National Agrarian University team of the GeoTAK Project, namely Professor Gurgen Yeghiazaryan and PhD student Armine Hambardzumyan, participated in the training course on the use of the “Support System for Decision-Making” using Geoinformation Systems (ArcGIS).
	National Erasmus+ Office Monitoring Visit in Kyrgyzstan On April 6, 2021, a monitoring visit of National Erasmus+ Office in Kyrgyzstan was held within the framework of “Developing Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Programmes and Strengthening Research Networks in Geoinformation Technologies in Armenia and Kyrgyzstan (GeoTAK)” project.
National Kick-Off Meeting in Kyrgyzstan	On April 5, 2021, National Erasmus+ Office in Kyrgyzstan hosted an online meeting of projects, selected for funding, under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education action, including the GeoTAK project. The meeting was aimed at getting acquainted with the Erasmus+ Programme procedures, including the practical issues of the project implementation (+ information). Similarly, on April 6, 2021, the National Erasmus+ Office in Kyrgyzstan conducted the field monitoring visit within the framework of “Developing Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Programmes and Strengthening Research Networks in Geoinformation Technologies in Armenia and Kyrgyzstan (GeoTAK)” project, on the basis of the Kyrgyz State University of Geology, Mining and Natural Resources Development named after Academician U. Asanaliev (+ information). Material (.pdf)
National Kick-Off Meeting in Armenia	On March 17, 2021, the National Kick-Off Meeting with the National Erasmus+ Office in Armenia was held. During the meeting, the projects, selected for funding under the Capacity Building in Higher Education action, were presented, including the GeoTAK project. The meeting was aimed at getting acquainted with the Erasmus+ Programme procedures, including the practical issues of project implementation.
	The Kick-Off Meeting was Successfully Concluded in Bishkek The first kick-off meeting of the GeoTAK project, held in the city of Bishkek, was successfully concluded. The kick-off meeting was held in 3 sessions from February 10 to 12. Welcoming speeches were made by Mr. Nurlan Omurov, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Artur Martirosyan, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Suren Tovmasyan, Head of the Cadastre Committee of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Akymbek Abdykalykov, Rector of the Kyrgyz State University of Construction Transport and Architecture named after N. Isanov (KSUCTA), Gulnara Chokusheva, National Coordinator of National Erasmus+ Programme in Kyrgyzstan and Lana Karlova, National Coordinator of the Erasmus + Programme in Armenia. After the welcoming speeches, according to the agenda, Project Coordinator Professor Luis Angel Ruiz Fernández presented the GeoTAK project. Agenda Participants from Armenia Participants from Kyrgyzstan Participants from the EU