Viva Hosts 15th Global High-Tech Laureate, Dr. Yoshiaki Daimon Hagiwara

Dr. Yoshiaki Deimon Hagiwara, who arrived in Armenia from Japan, is the 2024 laureate of the State Prize for Global Contribution to High-Tech. Before receiving the state prize, Dr. Hagiwara, founder of the AIPLAB consortium and president of the LOCOMTEC laboratory, an artificial intelligence partnership system, visited Viva’s headquarters to participate in a press conference organized on the occasion of the awarding ceremony. Dr. Hagiwara presented his rich professional experience and the path to success. The press conference was attended by Dr. Hagiwara, Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry of Armenia Ruben Simonyan, Viva General Director Armen Avetisian, and Director of “Synopsis Armenia” and Chairman of the Executive Board of the Awards Hovik Musayelyan.

“For 15 years, we have been expressing our respect and gratitude to people who have made a great contribution to the world of technology. On the other hand, for 15 years in a row, the team has been working to make them and their work recognizable in Armenia. This work of years is about a dream and making that dream a reality. We want to make Armenia a technological hotbed, a talent hub. This path that we are taking is not a path of a few years, it requires 15 or more years of hard work,” said Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry Ruben Simonyan.

Mr. Hagiwara, who received a doctorate in physics at the age of 27, dedicated his later life to science and made important changes in the field of high technologies, is on a visit owing to the award that has already gained fame and prestige in our country and the world.

“There are events whose long-term impact is difficult to assess in a single press conference. For 15 years now, we have had the honor of welcoming the Global High-Tech laureates in the premises of Viva. This is not just an awarding ceremony, but a presentation of the enormous experience invested in the field of high technologies. The path taken by each of the laureates is a unique guide to building a smart future for all countries of the world,” General Director of Viva Armen Avetisian said. “Dr. Hagiwara! We welcome you, accepting this visit as an important message: to contribute to the continuous discovery of the existing potential in the IT sector, to increase the rating that our country has already achieved in this sector, to assess knowledge as a sustainable capital, and to move forward in line with global development, striving to stay ahead of it. We are grateful to you for being here today — it is a great honor for us!”, - Armen Avetisian added.

For 15 years, Viva, the leading telecommunications operator in Armenia, has been the main partner of the Global High-Tech State Award; the initiator and supporter has been “Synopsys Armenia”. As a result of the successful partnership, world leaders have visited our country in different years, thanks to which significant changes have been recorded in the field of high technologies, people's lives, and the global economy.

“Since the very first year of its entry into Armenia, “Synopsys” has initiated and consistently implemented a number of contests and programs aimed at development of high-tech sector and promoting microelectronics in Armenia. These include the IT Educational Award established in 2005, the International Microelectronics Olympiad established in 2006 and held under the aegis of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the RA State Award for Global Contribution to High-Tech Sector, established in 2009, which is implemented by the Executive Board of the Award and the international Selection Committee appointed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia,”

“In Armenia, Synopsys has demonstrated our commitment to foster innovation through global collaboration and investing in the next generation of engineers. We're honored to continue to support the State Award for Global Contribution to the humanity through High-Tech program, along with others like the IT Educational Award and International Microelectronics Olympiad programs, ” said Hovik Musayelyan, Director of Synopsys Armenia and Chairman of the Executive Board of the State Award. “We're also honored to host the fifteenth annual Global High-Tech Award Laureate in Armenia, Dr. Yoshiaki Daimon Hagiwara, founder of the AIPLAB consortium and President of the artificial intelligence partner system LOCOMTECH AIPS Laboratory”, - Hovik Musayelyan concluded.

Dr. Hagiwara’s trip to Armenia includes visits to various state agencies, universities, and prestigious educational centers, as well as lectures. By the way, partner organizations Viva and “Synopsis Armenia”, too, have implemented successful joint projects in these centers to create the best educational environment for the younger generation. Hagiwara will conclude his tour with a visit to the COAF SMART Center in Vanadzor with a keynote speech at the “Silicon Mountains 2025 Lori” conference and exhibition.

The previous day, according to tradition, the ceremony of canceling a postcard with one stamp and a Special Cover dedicated to the theme “State Award of the Republic of Armenia for Global Contribution in High-Tech sphere” was also held in the RA Government.

The 15^th Global High-Tech laureate Yoshiaki Hagiwara presented the most important episodes and directions of his activity, the projects implemented with his participation and the main technological achievements. “For my family, going abroad is an extraordinary phenomenon. In Armenia, we visited temples, museums, got acquainted with your ancient culture,” said Hagiwara. Hagiwara noted that he always attaches importance to intercultural contacts, touching on the cultures of different nations and taking the best from them. Constant learning has been a way of life for him, whether it is a foreign language or professional knowledge. His interest in innovative technologies began with cartoons. Thus, the field of semiconductors became the main occupation of his life and he played a significant role in the creation of PlayStation. According to Hagiwara, upon coming to Armenia, he saw people who dream of bringing the country to a new level of development. At the same time, the laureate emphasized the responsibility of people in keeping nature pristine. With regard to Viva as a leading company in the ICT sector, the 15^th Global High-Tech laureate presented his motto: strive for more and never give up.

As the General Partner of the Global High-Tech Award, Viva has allocated more than 297 million AMD over the past 15 years. This is anchored on the conviction that partnership between public and private sectors is important for Armenia, especially in terms of developing sectors that are a country's competitive advantage.

Over the past 15 years, as part of the Global High-Tech Awards, scientists such as Craig R. Barrett, CEO and President of “Intel Corporation” (2010), President of the Semiconductor Industry Professionals Association, former CEO of “Hitachi” Tsugio Makimoto (2013), CEO of “Open-Root”, one of the pioneers of the Internet, Louis Pouzin (2016), Founder of “Nest Labs”, creator of the “iPod” brand Tony Fadell (2017), President of “Adobe” Shantanu Narayan (2022), Founder of “Infosys” Narayana Murthy (2023) and others, have visited Armenia.