Ashot Matevosyan wins second-degree prize in YSU information technology awards
Ashot Matevosyan, a student at YSU Institute of Physics in Armenia, received a second-degree prize in the 2026 annual educational awards for the best university and school students in information technology. The result brought back an earlier milestone for him, when he was named Best School Student and received a first-degree prize. His path shows steady progress rather than a single breakthrough, with study, research and innovation all moving together.
He has remained active while continuing his education, and he sees the award as recognition of years of accumulated knowledge, consistent work and self-development. It is also a reminder, in his view, that mistakes and repeated effort are part of progress rather than a reason to stop.
“I have always been interested in how the systems we use every day are created and how technology can be used to solve real problems.”
Ashot MatevosyanFrom school interest to practical work
His interest in information technology began in school, when he realised that technology was not only a set of tools but a way to turn ideas into practical solutions. Over time, that interest grew into deeper study and participation in programmes, competitions and projects, and he said each new experience confirmed that IT is not just a profession, but an opportunity to keep learning and creating.
When preparing for exams or competitions, he starts early and works through the material gradually. As the date gets closer, he focuses on review and on making sure the basics are secure. He also noted that the supportive attitude of lecturers helps reduce tension and gives him greater confidence.
He also values the projects where ideas become something testable and useful. The work he finds most meaningful is the kind that begins with a concept and ends with a real result. For him, that process is especially motivating because it combines creativity with practical application.
YSU and a wider sense of responsibility
In his own account, YSU has given him far more than professional knowledge. It has brought new friends, useful contacts and experience of working with different people. It has also helped him become more independent, responsible and proactive, while giving him space to propose ideas and take on new challenges. He says the university environment has helped him develop confidence in his abilities.
He also thinks about the student role in wider terms. In his view, a YSU student does not wait for the future but tries to create it, turning knowledge into ideas, initiatives and tangible results. That outlook fits the way he describes his own path, which is built on responsibility as much as achievement.
“YSU has played a key role in my professional development. The university is the environment where my interests began to develop into more systematic knowledge and practical skills.”
Ashot MatevosyanAmong the projects he is proud of is one linked to solar energy, which he presented to the YSU Business Incubator and which was among the programme's first winners. He said the experience mattered because it was not only about presenting an idea. It was also a chance to test whether it could work, receive professional feedback and develop it in a more practical direction.
He believes the project has value beyond technology because it is aimed at increasing Armenia's energy independence. That gives the work strategic significance as well as academic interest.