At the joint initiative of the RA Ministry of Economy, the “Agricultural Services Center” SNCO, and the “Armenian National Agrarian University” Foundation, a five-day training program in the specialty of “Animal Vaccinator” was launched on February 15, 2021. The first group of the program included 10 participants selected from Ararat and Aragatsotn Marzes, of which eight passed the required threshold of the exam.

On February 26, 2021, the RA Deputy Minister of Economy Tigran Gabrielyan, the Secretary General of the RA Ministry of Economy Armen Khachatryan, the Rector of the Armenian National Agrarian University (ANAU) Vardan Urutyan and the Director of the “Agricultural Services Center” SNCO Garnik Hovhannisyan took part in the ceremony of awarding certificates to the graduates of the training course.

The candidates who have successfully completed the training can sign contracts with the Agricultural Services Center and within the framework of the “Farm animals’ vaccination” program can carry out preventive vaccinations against a number of farm animal diseases in the communities.

“It is no secret we have a problem of veterinarians in the communities; with this initiative we try to give an opportunity to those who wish to carry out veterinary measures within the framework of state assistance programs”, said the Deputy Minister Tigran Gabrielyan.

The Deputy Minister also expressed hope that some of the program participants will later apply to the Armenian National Agrarian University for veterinary education and will later join the ranks of veterinarians.

“This is a very important initiative, which will create preconditions for improving the food and biological safety issues. You know it very well that there do exist various diseases and epidemics, and in terms of prevention it is very important to have experienced specialists who will be able to perform all planned operations at high quality level and in a timely manner”, said the ANAU Rector Vardan Urutyan.

50 applicants have already expressed interest to participate in the training course.

The courses consist of theoretical and practical lessons and are intended for a group of 10 people. Taking into account the number of applicants, the courses will be periodically arranged.