A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Armenian National Agrarian University (ANAU), Virginia Tech and ICARE was signed at ANAU on December 15, 2015. The MOU covers the promotion of academic, personnel, and cultural exchanges between these institutions and in general initiates a strong, collaborative relationship that can lead to new initiatives. The agreement was signed by ANAU’s Vice Rector, Yuri Marmaryan, , Dr. Tom Hammett, Director of InnovATE at Virginia Tech, and Dr. Vardan Urutyan, Director of ICARE. The signing ceremony was attended by Marina Vardanyan, Mission Environmental Officer at USAID/Armenia, Denise Hudson, Financial and Program Coordinator, Angela Neilan, InnovATE/Armenia Program Manager, and some of the deans of ANAU.  This five-year initiative is an important step in developing modern agricultural education and training in the Armenian higher education system. The cooperation will include exchanges and study abroad programs, cooperation to further strengthen excellence in education, exchanges of academic information, joint research initiatives, and improvements to curricula and course support in selected agribusiness areas. Ms. Vardanyan emphasized ICARE’s international reputation in helping USAID to make the decision to fund InnovATE Armenia. All involved in the signing believe that ICARE is  a model agribusiness education center.