Newspaper “Version” July 23-26

Title: Dimitri Shashkini: “We Should Make Universities More Popular and Protect Students’ Rights”.

Nino Kharshiladze

70 accredited and around 200 licensed higher educational institutions operate in Georgia. Soon licensed universities will have to pass authorization. Draft law is being discussed and probably it will be approved. As a result, diplomas of licensed universities will be equalized to the diplomas of accredited universities and they will recognized by the state. If licensed higher educational institutions will not pass authorization, they will be able to function as Community Colleges or Public Institutions. Generally, students will master different professions as well as receive knowledge at Public Institutions. What criteria should the Community Colleges satisfy? Who will be able to continue studying there? Is it necessary to pass Unified Entry Exams to be admitted at this college? Newspaper “Version” asked these questions to the Minister of Education and Science, Dimitri Shashkini.

Mr. Minister, amendment is planned in the law on Higher Education. Private Institutions that will not pass authorization will be able to function as Community Colleges. Could you explain what does this alteration mean?

First of all, I will explain why the topic of authorization of private higher educational institutions arose. By the current condition, 70 accredited and around 200 licensed higher educational institutions operate in Georgia. As the state does not recognize the diplomas of licensed higher educational institutions, it does not interfere in their activities. Around 18,000 students study in these higher educational institutions and these graduates will not be able to work in the public sector and therefore the rights of these students will be violated.

In order to return private educational institutions in the united educational environment, protect students’ rights and improve the quality of teaching, MES offered the new system as the draft law to the Parliament. It envisages authorization of private Higher Educational Institutions, recognizing their diplomas and enrolling the students according to Unified Entry Exams as it happens in accredited higher educational institutions. At this level, private higher educational institutions have their own admission system. After authorization, authorized higher educational institutions will be able to pass accreditation if they wish and they will have opportunity to receive state financing with the vouchers.

If private licensed institutions will not be able to pass authorization, they will not be allowed to issue diplomas and therefore to award the students with the degrees of bachelor of MA. But the willing institutions will have an opportunity to function as the Community Colleges. Similar institutions successfully operate in many countries of Europe, USA and Canada. Students will study at these Public Institutions for two years. They will master concrete vocational specialties for example IT  and etc. together with general subjects.

Before the present entrants were enrolled in higher colleges according to the results of  General Ability Tests. What is necessary for the admission in Public Institutions?

Students who could not pass Unified Entry Exams, could not cross the minimal competency level and at the same time want to master concrete profession in the small period – two years will study in these colleges. The first two categories will be able to get ready for Unified Entry Exams in Community Colleges. Willing schoolchild who graduates from school passes Unified Entry Exams and continues studying at Higher Educational Institution. But entrants, who will fail in the exams, will have   an opportunity to study in these Public Institutions. They will study general subjects as well as pass the program that is taught at the first course of Higher Educational Institutions. At the same time, they will be taught special vocational programs for example IT, producing and etc.

It has to be noted that Public Institutions will not be established only on the base of non-authorized institutions. It will be possible for other institutions or for interested people to found these Community Colleges if they satisfy the requirements.

Will the Public Institutions paid or free?

This will depend on the period of introducing of these innovation and the directions of development.

Are there any criteria for the institutions that will not pass authorization but wants to function as Community College?

In order to control the quality of education, Education Quality Development Center will be established that will control accredited as well as authorized higher educational institutions and public institutions. We aim that all institutions satisfy their requirements in order to achieve high quality education.

Will the schoolchildren who graduated from 9^th form be able to continue studying?

They will be able to study at vocational education and training centers. 12 form education is needed to continue studying at Community Colleges.

If the licensed higher educational institutions will be established as the Community Colleges they will need new staff. Will MES offer them staff or will they find employees on their own?

It is not state’s prerogative to find staff for them. Therefore, they will select the employees independently.

What do you think how many institutions will be able to pass authorization from 200 licensed institutions?

We will see. Processes will begin and finish. Our goal is to make private institutions more popular. If private institution will not pass authorization, they will not be able to issue diploma and the students of these institutions will be equally distributed in authorized higher educational institutions in order to protect their rights and interests by the mobility principle. State will support this process.