Higher education reforms in Armenia: experiences, obstacles and perspectives using the Bologna process Quality Assurance in Higher Education and Bologna Reforms Workshop in Georgia, 29 September – 1 October 2010 By Arayik Navoyan Vice-rector on external relations, French University in Armenia /

22 State and 56 private Higher education institutions Total number of students : (2009/10 academic year) Member of Bologna process since 2005 Adoption of an agenda for the implementation of the principles of the Bologna Process in 2006: - Since 2005/2006 academic year, a two-cycle tertiary education system was introduced, -In 2006 the Armenian National Information Centre for Academic Recognition and Mobility was founded, - A credit accumulation and transfer system was introduced in 2007/2008 academic year, - In 2008 the National Center for Professional Education Quality Assurance (ANQA) was established. Background information

Percentage of all higher education programmes (except doctoral/third cycle) in which all programme components are linked with ECTS or compatible credit system is about 75%: - Starting the 2010/2011 academic year the use of credits for all higher education programs is foreseen More than 80 percent of the higher education institutions award Diploma Supplement More than 25% of the study programmes are modularised Bologna process implementation stage : degree structure

Quality assurance scheme with pre-ESG type standards are developed with steps taken to adopt ESG no later than Accordingly to its Development Strategic programme for , ANQA have prepared draft : -Guidelines, criteria and standards for quality assurance in the Armenian tertiary education -Guide to self-assessment Within the framework of World Bank Secondary Education Quality and Relevance Project the new quality assurance system in line with Bologna process requirements will be developed and implemented by 2015 Bologna process implementation stage : quality assurance system

According to the current Quality Assurance policy and procedure, the student participation in QA of higher education is limited on following: - students are consulted during external reviews, - one student is member of board of trusties of National Centre for Professional Education Quality Assurance (ANQA), -student carry out the evaluation of faculty teaching and work quality. Bologna process implementation stage : student participation in quality assurance

Coherence of new developed quality assurance system with State Policy on Higher education steering : -How to address the priorities stipulated by State programme of education development for ? (example: development of university – industry links) -What evolution of exiting legal framework ? (example: State Standards of Higher education are basis of quality programmes development and quality assurance) -How make the cooperation between main stakeholders effective? (example: coordination of activities of Ministry of Education and Science and ANQA) Ongoing challenges of Armenian Higher education reforms

Establishment of a quality assurance system within the lack of specialists with relevant experience and knowledge in Armenia : -Fulfilment of the Bologna Process requirements have led to an exchange of experience and the building of new capacities for the national quality assurance system. -Considering the small size of the Armenian tertiary education system, it is preferable to involve international experts in the external review process, so that it becomes more objective and more credible Ongoing challenges of Armenian Higher education reforms -2

In order to make the new quality assurance system more effective, it is important to establish a consensus with the main stakeholders regarding the basic policy choices : - quality concept, - quality assurance framework, - accreditation procedures and tools Ongoing challenges of Armenian Higher education reforms -3

Statistical Yearbook of Armenia 2001; 2007, available at (in English, Armenian and Russian) Information on implementation of credit system in Republic of Armenia, available at (in Armenian) Guideline – letter on elaboration of Diploma Supplement of higher professional education certificate (diploma) specified by decree N320 by June 15, 2007 of Government of Republic of Armenia Decree N 588-A/Q by June 19, 2007 of Minister of Education and Science of Armenia on Procedure of organization of educational process in higher education institutions based on credit system, available at (in Armenian) Source of information

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