Meeting of the TEMPUS DoQuP Project –Workshop on “Documentation for Quality Assurance of Study Programs" 1-6 May 2012, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Accreditation in Higher Education in Azerbaijan Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan Republic

The history of accreditation in Azerbaijan The process of accreditation started in It was not established as a separate unit, but within the Unit of Higher and Professional Education; In 2010 Accreditation Unit was established as a separate unit under the Ministry of Education; Since 2005, 34 higher educational institutions were accredited. Accreditation process is being carried out based on Education Law, Accreditation Rules for Higher Education and Criteria identifying the appropriateness of activity of Educational Institution to the State Education Standards.

What is Accreditation in Azerbaijan? Accreditation of educational institutions is implemented in order to determine compliance of the organization of education process, logistic base of institution, its education programs, staff potential, financial resources and education infrastructure with state standards. Moreover, it creates a legal basis to identify the status of education institution and extend it for the next 5 years. The accreditation of educational institution is implemented by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The Aims of Accreditation in Azerbaijan: To raise the competitiveness of national system of higher education; To provide a source of assistance and guidance to higher education institutions (taking into consideration The European standards and main principles of Bologna System); To encourage the development of higher education institutions which foster educational and intellectual achievement;

Political, legislative and normative base established within 2 years  Rules for accreditation of educational institutions Approved by the Executive Order 167 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan of September 28, 2010  Criteria identifying the appropriateness of activity of Educational Institution to the State Education Standards approved by the Executive Order 656 of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan April 26, 2011

Model of Accreditation of HEIs in Azerbaijan Preparation for Accreditaion Self-accreditation of HEIs Institution meets State Education Standards Institution basically meets State Education Standards Institution does not comply with State Education Standards External accreditation carried out by the MoE Common discussion in Accreditation Board

Standards to be accredited and assessed : 1 standard – legislative-normative provision of higher education institution. 2 standard – management of educational institution. 3 standard – content and structure of readiness of study programs. 4 standard – organization of educational process in educational institution. 5 standard – quality assurance of Study Programs. 6 standard – staff potential of the higher education institution. 7 standard –Scientific research activity of HEI. 8 standard – International collaboration of HEI. 9 standard – Material-technical base of institution. 10 standard – social procurement of the institution. 11 standard – Financial provision of HEI.

3 STAGE Final decision on Accreditation Voting process in Accreditation Council INTERNAL ASSESSMENT 2 STAGE Visit of Accreditation Commission appointed by MoE CARRYING OUT SELF-ASSESSMENT Based on Standards of Institutional Accreditation, self-analysis, preparation and discussion of Report Following procedures: Getting rid of shortcomings and development of institution’s activity Accreditation process is carried out by review and analysis of self-assessment report in its place, study of compatibility of education activity to Criteria and Rules of Accreditation. All this process involves interviews, visual observation of resources, meetings with administration, talks with students (time allocated for visits continues more than week (general time of accreditation is 1 month) Initial study of Self- assessment Report by experts of Accreditation Comission Reviews of members of Accreditation Commission Recommendation is given by the Unit of Higher and Professional Education Accreditation Council is represented by the Minister of Education, deputy ministers, directors of different departments, NGOs, members from other Ministries. The contents of Council meetings are publicly available on official web-site of Ministry of Education Accreditation Council is established within the MoE Apply for accreditation 1 STAGE Preparation for accreditatio n

Educational institutions are officially informed on the date of accreditation at least 6 months before the accreditation. Educational institution submits the following documents required to the Ministry of Education at least a month before the accreditation process: - Regulations of the educational institution and a copy of document (license) issued for the educational activity; - Self-assessment report of educational institution and its affiliates; - List of disciplines included in the curriculum of accredited programs and questions prepared in accordance with these programs; - Information on the number of trainees and personnel potential and copies of decrees on admission, transformation, restoration and expulsion of trainees; - Programs for all types of practices specified in the curriculum; a copy of contracts signed with establishments, where the practical training was held, and a report on the results of practical training; - Information on the results of all examinations on programs 1 first stage of Accreditation

The head of education establishment issues a relevant order on conduction of self-assessment and establishment of the commission, which will hold the procedure within the order of Scientific (Pedagogical) Council. One of the deputies of the head of education establishment is appointed a chairman of the Commission. Commission is organized in accordance with these Rules. The Commission prepares a report on the self-assessment result within the time limit defined by the relevant order and presents for the discussion of Scientific Council. This report is approved by Head of the university based on the order of the Council. 2 stage – self-assessment, the formation of Committee for self-evaluation

3 stage – review of the Outcomes of self-assessment and accreditation The meeting of the council is competent if the 2/3 of its members participate in the meeting. The decision of Council is approved by a simple majority of votes. If the votes are equally divided, the chairman’s vote becomes decisive. The Council defines the status of educational institution based on demands and criteria certified by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and developed in accordance with requirements of state education standards. Moreover, it makes a decision on whether the education establishment is accredited or not on various academic programs. Based on this decision, Minister of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan issues an order on accreditation of educational institution. The status of educational institution (its type) and implemented academic programs are affirmed by this order. The accredited educational institution is granted a relevant quality document - certificate. Information about accreditation of educational institution is published in the press and is available on website of the Ministry.

If the current status of educational institution will not concede to demands and criteria of the specified demands the Council can make a negative decision on accreditation. In this case, educational institution can function with the status defined by the Council. The educational institution and different academic programmes, which are not accredited, are not allowed to conduct an entrance to the next academic year. Non-accredited educational institution or its different academic programmes can be accredited after 1 year. If the educational institution or its different academic programmes will not be accredited again, its educational activity is ceased and taken appropriate measures to provide study of learners at other educational establishments. The state education document issued by the non-accredited educational institution remains in force. Education establishment, in accordance with the law, can appeal against a negative decision issued by the Accreditation Commission.