"It’s important not to give someone a fish to eat, but to teach him how to fish for himself": this saying was inspirational to the donors, whose combined efforts founded Gyumri Information Technologies Center Educational Foundation in 2005. The first stage was made possible by the generosity of Patrick Sarkissian, the founder and chief executive officer of Sarkissian Mason, Fund for Armenian Relief, Enterprise Incubator Foundation, Shirak Technologies Ltd, loyal members of the Armenian Diaspora and local donors. They had faith that future generations will build upon the GITC cornerstone with diligence and purpose.The work started in small space of 60 square meters, with two employees and five computers. As soon as information about the Center’s activities became public, more than 20 local university graduates rushed to apply to study at the Center.