Armenia-based world’s first free-of-charge learning initiative for teens explore India chapters

Yerevan (Armenia): Armenia’s TUMO Center for Creative Technologies, which is a free-of-charge educational program that puts teens in charge of their own learning, is the world's first such initiative and is looking to open chapters in India in collaboration with top IT related foundations.

TUMO that centres in Germany and France and planning centres in Japan and South Korea is in initial talks with India’s top IT giants to explore setting up centres in India for local teenagers, ET has learnt.

Armenia further hopes to capitalize on its reputation as the “Silicon Valley of the Caucasus” through a number of initiatives and TUMO features in that list.


TUMO’s program is made up of self-learning activities, workshops and project labs that revolve around 14 learning targets. Outside of Armenia, there are centers in Paris, Beirut, Tirana, Berlin, Zurich, Manheim, Coimbra, Kyiv and Lyon. Its flagship center here has 750 workstations with over 10,000 students a week.

TUMO’s founding CEO, Marie Lou Papazian developed the center’s educational program and led the design and construction of its flagship facility and has been a frequent visitor to India keen to expand and offer TUMO’s experience in South Asia’s biggest country.

TUMO’s innovative Path application combines activities, workshops and labs into a personal learning plan and is essentially an after-school program for teenagers, Marie Lou Papazian told ET.

The 14 learning targets include 3D Modelling, Animation, Drawing, Creative writing, photography and web development among other targets.

The learning plan is a constantly evolving timeline that can span two or more years. It suggests the best route for each learner to take through the TUMO program, and dynamically adapts to their pace and preferences over time. As teens progress through the timeline, completing projects and leveling up, they build up a portfolio of results that becomes their living diploma.

Self-learning activities are short, interactive exercises designed to inspire and build up skills. Coaches help with activities by getting learners unstuck, advising, and providing encouragement. There are hundreds of activities to choose from, and most are prerequisites that lead to workshops in each learning target.

Workshops are led by specialists across TUMO’s 14 learning targets. They range from beginner to advanced and culminate in individual or team projects. Each project is published to the participant’s portfolio and is sometimes submitted to competitions and festivals, or published online and on app stores.