On June 17-18, ETF Forum for Quality Assurance in VET held in Turin, bringing together representatives from ETF member countries. The Forum addressed current challenges and practices in the sector, as well as new ways of collaboration.
Armenia was represented by ANQA’s director Ruben Topchyan, head of the Institutional and Programme Accreditation Division Varduhi Gyulazyan and Anahit Terteryan, specialist in the same division.
The results of implementing the ETF diagnostic tool in the RA VET system were presented. ANQA shared how the tool supported the assessment of processes within the VET system, fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making and stakeholder engagement.
An emphasis was placed on the following:
🔹 The tool enables the integration of the planning, implementation, evaluation and improvement processes, viewing them in a unified framework. This is particularly useful for linking activities conducted at different levels.
🔹 The culture of data-driven decision-making is strengthened through the formation of mechanisms that ensure reliable data collection and analysis for strategic decision-making.
🔹 The tool promotes peer collaboration within the system, involving stakeholders and positioning them as co-authors of change.
🔹 The tool helps build a culture of continuous enhancement, with assessment serving as a starting point for development rather than a final goal.
🔹 It was also highlighted that the process succeeded due to the complete engagement of stakeholders, a key prerequisite for the effective application and targeted perception of the tool.
Armenia’s experience has demonstrated that when assessment and enhancement go hand in hand, and the system recognises its goals and potential, substantive and sustainable reforms can be achieved.
The formation of working groups, an in-depth study of the tool’s areas and indicators, as well as the methodological approaches applied in data collection and analysis played a key role in ANQA’s activities. Collaboration with the ETF experts has been continuous, both online and offline.
Ruben Topchyan, ANQA’s director, stated that the tool has facilitated constructive dialogue, connecting policy-making bodies with education practitioners. According to Dr. Topchyan, the tool serves as a stress test for the system, enabling assessment of process effectiveness, identification of obstacles, and determination of new development paths, while also uncovering previously overlooked resources and opportunities.
It should be noted that Armenia is one of the first countries to pilot the tool, and the experience gained here may contribute to its further enhancement and international use.