On September 24, RA ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan received Daniela Cristina Ghițulică, president of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA).
The meeting was attended by Ruben Topchyan, ANQA's Acting Director, and Kristina Tsaturyan, Chair of ANQA's Board of Trustees.
The meeting focused on the prospects for the development of Armenia’s higher education QA system and further cooperation between ANQA and ENQA. The discussions also addressed the reforms following the adoption of the new Law on Higher Education and Science.
The discussions covered issues on the state accreditation of HEI academic programmes (APs), the engagement of European experts and the implementation of joint accreditation. ANQA’s experience in joint accreditations with European partner organisations was presented as an effective format for bringing together national and European approaches and facilitating the exchange of practices.
The importance of expanded participation of students, alumni and employers in QA processes was emphasised. In particular, the discussions highlighted the student engagement in external review, the development of feedback mechanisms with alumni and the need to give greater consideration to labour market requirements in the evaluation of APs.
ENQA President Daniela Cristina Ghițulică outlined current trends and challenges in the development of QA systems across the European Higher Education Area. Daniela Cristina Ghițulică attached importance to the exchange of practices among national QA agencies, continuous professional capacity building and the strengthening of cooperation in the implementation of European standards.
The meeting ended with the parties expressing their readiness to continue professional dialogue and cooperation, thereby supporting the further development of Armenia’s higher education QA system and the exchange of practice.
Photos from the official page of the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports.