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Pegor Papazian
Chief Development Officer, TUMO Center for Creative Technologies
Pegor Papazian is the Chief Development Officer and one of the founders of the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies.13 He has an eclectic background, combining expertise in architecture, computer science, and education technology.3
Career and Education
Papazian graduated from The University of Chicago - Booth School of Business and later pursued a master's degree at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he switched to computer science.23 His professional journey includes:
- Working as an architect
- Learning to code as a teenager and doing side jobs
- Working at MIT's AI lab
- Opening a company in Barcelona specializing in geographic information systems and urban planning
- Becoming a partner in a software development firm in California
- Moving to Armenia with his family and joining TUMO in 20113
Role at TUMO
At TUMO, Papazian has been instrumental in developing and expanding the center's innovative educational programs.3 TUMO is an after-school program for teenagers focusing on skills at the intersection of technology and design, covering 14 skill areas including coding, robotics, game development, creative writing, filmmaking, and graphic design.3
Educational Philosophy
Papazian is a strong advocate for self-directed learning and the concept of "walk away pedagogy." He believes in creating educational environments where students participate because they want to, not because they have to.3 He envisions a future of education where students have more agency and can combine various learning resources to create personalized learning paths.3
Recent Activities
As of February 2025, Papazian continues to be active in promoting TUMO's educational model:
- He recently spoke at the KACES forum in Seoul, discussing educational innovation with leaders from around the world.5
- In December 2024, he was interviewed by Good Morning Africa about TUMO's journey as a WISE Prize finalist.4
- He has been involved in expanding TUMO's reach, with the center now operating in 10 different countries.3
Papazian's work at TUMO reflects his commitment to revolutionizing education through technology and creative learning approaches.

