On May 2, ANQA organised a webinar on best practices in the research integration into the educational process, with the participation of VET institutions.
As part of the institutional accreditation, ANQA promotes the implementation of student assignments and projects that will help develop research skills, form professional thinking, and produce analytically and critically thinking specialists, in line with the requirements of level five of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
As part of the institutional accreditation processes, the following issues were highlighted:
- sectoral studies by teachers and students;
- data collection and analysis;
- study of practical issues.
In this context, the webinar series "Identification and Dissemination of Research Practices" aim to explore models for the cultivation of students' professional thinking through research, facilitate practice exchange and foster the systematic integration of research into academic programmes (APs).
During the webinar, the following institutions delivered presentations:
- Yerevan State College of Informatics;
- College of Mkhitar Sebastatsi Educational Complex.
Yerevan State College of Informatics shared a model "Research in IT", grounded in the following principles:
- Research is integrated into the educational process through the development of software products.
- A modular system is employed, turning students into specialists, progressively from assignments to diploma projects.
- The curriculum has been revised in line with the product structure and thematic mapping.
- The assignments are tailored to students' individual characteristics and abilities.
- The student outcomes are assessed in terms of the product’s completeness, complexity, and applicability.
The Mkhitar Sebastatsi Educational Complex outlined its community based approach to "Research in the AP 'Tourism'".
- Research is considered an active professional activity.
- Students conduct field studies, encompassing tourist flow analysis, identification of service gaps, study of community engagement.
- Studies are transformed into practical projects, e.g. the design of tourist itineraries, creation of tour packages, and organisation of awareness campaigns.
- Teaching methods promote the development of students as initiators and researchers.
- Research outcomes are communicated to the community, local authorities and employers, strengthening the link between education and society.
The webinar series will continue on an ongoing basis. VET institutions with best research practices may apply to ANQA to present their models and outcomes at upcoming sessions and receive feedback from peer institutions.