Production challenges require innovative solutions and a creative approach.
On September 25–26, ANQA organised a pilot training for agricultural VET institutions' representatives as part of the “Building Innovative Teaching Capacities in VET (Development of Research and Digital Skills)” project, implemented with the support of the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation.
The two-day sessions were led by Andreas Melikyan, director of the “Agrobiotechnology Scientific Center” branch of the Armenian National Agrarian University, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor, member of ANQA’s Accreditation Committee.
The role of critical and analytical thinking in the preparation of future agricultural specialists was highlighted. It was stressed that simply applying knowledge acquired in the educational process is not enough. Production challenges require innovative solutions and a creative approach. It was also emphasised that the sustainable development of Armenia's agricultural sector depends on specialists continuing research after the completion of their studies.
The discussions addressed how everyday observations can be turned into scientific research, the research stages, and the teachers’ role in the ensurance of student participation in the process. The peculiarities of field piloting were also examined, ranging from yield comparisons to the need for replication and statistical analysis. Special emphasis was placed on the practical value of workplace research, given its potential to boost production efficiency and enhance product quality. Reference was made to the use of digital tools in research and teaching.
The pilot training aimed to explore the key focus areas for the core training, as well as to test the employed materials and methods, with a view to refining them ahead of the main stage of the project.
Next, a pilot training will be conducted for teachers from IT VET institutions.
About the project
With the support from the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation, ANQA conducts “Building innovative teaching capacities in VET (development of research and digital skills)” project. The project aims to to equip VET institutions’ teachers with practical research and digital skills, enabling them to independently revise and modernise academic programmes and course descriptors in line with labour market requirements and the National Qualifications Framework.
Expected outcomes:
- 80 teachers from VET institutions in the agricultural, medical and IT sectors will undergo practical training.
- Academic programmes will be revised to be more practical and modern, aligned with the requirements of the labour market.
- Academic programmes will be revised to be more practical and modern, aligned with the requirements of the labour market.
The overarching goal is to transform VET students not only into skilled practitioners, but also into research-minded, adaptable, and proactive specialists prepared for the challenges of the modern and evolving labour market.