YEREVAN, Armenia, October, 9, 2011 - Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS), a world leader in software and IP used in the design, verification and manufacture of electronic components and systems, today announced that, as part of its seventh annual Synopsys Armenia tree planting community event, approximately 600 employees of Synopsys Armenia CJSC, members of their families and students of the Synopsys Armenia Educational Department (SAED) planted more than 600 thuya evergreen trees in the area surrounding the European Regional Educational Academy and the Chess Academy of Armenia in Yerevan. Under the slogan “one tree for each employee,” Synopsys Armenia has planted more than 3,000 trees in seven years.
The annual event was a coordinated outreach effort of the Synopsys Community Volunteer Program and was sponsored by the Synopsys for Armenia Charitable Foundation. The Armenia Tree Project Charitable Foundation (ATP) partnered with Synopsys by providing evergreen saplings from its Karin and Khachpar nurseries. ATP also prepared the planting plots and will monitor the planted trees as they grow.
Adults and children actively engaged in the community activity with guidance from trained volunteers. Participants included Dr. Chi-Foon Chan, Synopsys president and chief operating officer; Rich Goldman, Synopsys Armenia CEO and Synopsys VP of Corporate Marketing & Strategic Alliances; Hovik Musayelyan, Synopsys Armenia director; Jeff Masarjian, ATP executive director; Mher Sadoyan, ATP Yerevan director; and other Synopsys Armenia and ATP staff and executives –.
Since Synopsys was first established in Armenia in November 2004, it has strived to be a good corporate citizen. The company has contributed to the progress of Armenian society by helping to improve the country’s educational system and by implementing other assistance programs. In 2010 the U.S. Department of State recognized Synopsys in Armenia among 12 finalists worldwide for the U.S. Secretary of State’s prestigious Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE). ACE finalists are international business leaders who recognize the vital role that U.S. businesses play abroad as good corporate citizens. Synopsys was nominated for it’s “promotion of U.S. and foreign investors by showcasing Armenia as a potential informational technology (IT) hub; collaboration with universities on IT training programs; and reduction of pollution levels by planting hundreds of trees to counter recent deforestation.”
“As a global company, Synopsys recognizes the responsibilities that U.S. businesses have abroad. We were humbled to be among the 12 U.S. companies selected by the U.S. Department of State for our corporate citizenship, innovation and exemplary business practices in Armenia,” said Dr. Chan. “We continue to partner with and give back to the local community by voluntarily planting hundreds of trees in Yerevan and contributing to the prosperity of Armenia.”
“Synopsys employees view tree planting as a way to give back to our community by reducing air pollution and helping to renew Yerevan’s commitment to a healthy environment,” said Mr. Goldman. “It’s heartening to see our employees plant trees with their families. It helps cultivate a lasting culture of taking care of the environment in which we live and work.”
“On behalf of ATP, I sincerely thank Dr. Chi-Foon Chan and the employees of Synopsys for their remarkable leadership in demonstrating corporate social responsibility in Armenia. As part of our ongoing collaboration, more than 600 participants planted trees and greenery at the Chess Academy, honoring Armenia as World Chess Champions of 2011,” said Mr. Masarjian. “In addition, we planted trees together at the European Academy to mark its 10 year anniversary celebration! I cannot think of a more fitting tribute to these institutions that are committed to promoting a healthy environment for Armenia’s future.”
“I appreciate the joint tree planting with Synopsys as we beautify our city,” said Prof. Andranik Avetisyan, European Regional Educational Academy rector. “It is a great honor to share in this wonderful initiative with Synopsys management and staff. We will eagerly take care of the planted trees as they will add to the architectural richness and history of the Academy. I express my deep gratitude for this thoughtful gift to commemorate the 10th anniversary of our beloved Academy.”
“The trees represent lasting friendship between Synopsys and the Chess Academy,” said Smbat Lputian, Chess Academy of Armenia founder and president. “It is with great honor that we accept the trees as a dedication to Armenia winning the 2011 World Team Chess Championship. Synopsys’ outstanding activities and achievements, coupled with their social values and community engagements, foster collaboration and goodwill in our country. Thank you to Synopsys for your friendship and community leadership!”
“Synopsys consistently promotes the importance of corporate social responsibility. Planting trees has become an annual tradition for Synopsys Armenia, with employees planting more than 400 trees every year since 2005,” said Mr. Musayelyan. “Synopsys planted trees in Viasphere Technopark in 2005, Victory Park in 2006, Tsitsernakaberd Park in 2007, on a hillside of Nor Nork district of Yerevan in 2008, in the central park of Yerevan’s Malatia-Sebastia district (near the recently built Holy Trinity Church) in 2009, and along one of the main alleys leading to the Genocide Museum and in the public park that occupies the hill next to the PYUNIC disabled people organization in 2010.”
“I’ve been with Synopsys for five years and I can say that tree planting is one of the most important events of Synopsys Week in Armenia,” said Anna Asatryan, a previous SAED student and now a Synopsys Armenia employee. “This tradition is an excellent example of how an IT company can be a good corporate citizen. In addition, it’s a great opportunity for employees to spend the weekend together with their families outdoors taking care of the environment in which we live and build our future.”
About Armenia Tree Project (ATP Charitable Foundation)
Armenia Tree Project (ATP Charitable Foundation), a non-profit program based in Watertown and Yerevan, conducts vitally important environmental projects in Armenia’s impoverished and deforested zones and seeks support in advancing its reforestation mission. Since 1994, ATP has made enormous strides in combating desertification in the biologically diverse but threatened Caucasus region. Armenia Tree Project has planted and restored more than 3,500,000 trees at over 800 sites around the country. ATP’s mission is to assist the Armenian people in using trees to improve their standard of living and protect the environment, guided by the need to promote self-sufficiency, aid those with the fewest resources first, and conserve the indigenous ecosystem. ATP’s three major programs are tree planting, environmental education, and sustainable development initiatives.
Contacts: ATP Charitable Foundation, ARMENIA TREE PROJECT, 57/5 Arshakunyats Ave., Yerevan 0026, Armenia. Tel.: (374 10) 447401/447402. Tel/Fax: (374 10) 447726. Website: www.armeniatree.org.
About the Synopsys for Armenia Charitable Foundation
The Synopsys for Armenia Charitable Foundation was established in July of 2005. It supports Synopsys’ R&D operations in Armenia through a number of educational and social initiatives. Its activities are divided into two sections: educational and social. The Foundation’s educational programs include support to all Synopsys educational programs for ongoing professional engineering education, conducted in cooperation with major Armenia universities. The Foundation also funds the RA Presidential Awards for the best students in the IT sector and sponsors various IT-related contests targeting students and young professionals. The Foundation’s social activities primarily assist the local communities.
About Synopsys, Inc. and Synopsys Armenia CJSC
Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS) fuels innovation in the global electronics market with software, systems, semiconductor IP and services that address key design, verification and manufacturing challenges. A leader in electronic design automation (EDA), Synopsys, established a presence in Armenia in 2004 as Synopsys Armenia closed joint stock company (CJSC). Synopsys Armenia CJSC provides R&D and product support in EDA, design for manufacturing (DFM) and the development of semiconductor intellectual property (IP). Employing several hundred qualified Armenian engineers, Synopsys is one of largest IT employers in Armenia. To encourage the highest levels of accomplishment for students in IT, the company sponsors awards and competitions such as the Annual Educational Awards of the Republic of Armenia (RA) President, and the Annual International Microelectronics Olympiad of Armenia. Synopsys Armenia’s investment in the community reaches well beyond IT. In 2010, Synopsys in Armenia was recognized as one of 12 finalists for the U.S. Secretary of State’s annual Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE), citing the company’s technology and financial leadership as well as its charity work and volunteer activities. Synopsys Armenia CJSC is located in Yerevan. Synopsys, Inc. is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and has approximately 70 offices located throughout North America, Europe, Japan, Asia and India. Visit Synopsys, Inc. and Synopsys Armenia online at http://www.synopsys.com and http://www.synopsys.am.
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