DIUS & PICQA KICK-OFF

Presenter: ANQA

Armenia:
demographics

Population: 2,967,004 (July 2009 est.)

18 public universities and 13 branches 3 intergovernmental universities 48 private universities 37 private accredited universities 5 branches of international and nonstate universities 3 branches of international public universities 83 public colleges 34 vocational institutions 12 private accredited colleges 11 private licensed colleges

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Post-soviet issues
Management styles: centrally controlled vs. independent
Curriculum: blank and black aspects Modernization:
Teaching and learning approaches Lack of diversity of sources and resources

Student demand
Explosion in demand for higher education Diversification of provisions (emergence of private sector) Diversification of sources (private funding in public sector)
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Quality assurance in Armenia

Two major phases
First phase: 2000-2008
Administering body: Ministry of Education and Science Accreditation of programmes In case of 65% of accredited programmes the whole university was accredited Participation of only private sector, although the public sector was obliged to do so by law

Second phase: 2008 up to now

Administering body: ANQA QA Framework:
institutional audit development Programme accreditation recognition

Transitional period to allow for establishment of the necessary mechanisms for sustainable management.

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Higher education mission reconsidered

Teaching and Learning Quality Assurance

Research

Service to Society

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Quality assurance
Control vs. enhancement

Fitness for purpose vs. transformation

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Distribution of responsibilities within the projects

EU Partners
Experience exchange Reconsidering the practices extant to find a better solution and, therefore, quality assurance approaches fit to the Armenian reality Contribute to the transformation endeavor

PC universities
Active involvement in the project to ensure legitimacy Bring in the valuable experience extant at our universities.
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European standards and guidelines for internal quality assurance

1.1 Policy and procedures for quality assurance:
Institutions should have a policy and associated procedures for the assurance of the quality and standards of their programmes and awards. They should also commit themselves explicitly to the development of a culture which recognises the importance of quality, and quality assurance, in their work. To achieve this, institutions should develop and implement a strategy for the continuous enhancement of quality. The strategy, policy and procedures should have a formal status and be publicly available. They should also include a role for students and other stakeholders.
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European standards and guidelines for internal quality assurance

1.2 Approval, monitoring and periodic review of programmes and awards:
Institutions should have formal mechanisms for the approval, periodic review and monitoring of their programmes and awards.

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European standards and guidelines for internal quality assurance

1.3 Assessment of students:
Students should be assessed using published criteria, regulations and procedures which are applied consistently.

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European standards and guidelines for internal quality assurance

1.4 Quality assurance of teaching staff:
Institutions should have ways of satisfying themselves that staff involved with the teaching of students are qualified and competent to do so. They should be available to those undertaking external reviews, and commented upon in reports.

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European standards and guidelines for internal quality assurance

1.5 Learning resources and student support:
Institutions should ensure that the resources available for the support of student learning are adequate and appropriate for each programme offered.

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European standards and guidelines for internal quality assurance

1.7 Information systems:
Institutions should ensure that they collect, analyse and use relevant information for the effective management of their programmes of study and other activities.

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European standards and guidelines for internal quality assurance

1.7 Public information:
Institutions should regularly publish up to date, impartial and objective information, both quantitative and qualitative, about the programmes and awards they are offering.

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The overall aim

Establishment of a quality culture leading to enhancement, transformation, comparability and internationalization.

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Thank you

NATIONAL CENTER FOR PROFESSIONAL

EDUCATION QUALITY ASSURANCE (ANQA)

www.anqa.am