Twinning Project
Project
objectives and approach
The Twinning-Project is based on the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) “Georgia National Indicative Programme 2007-2010” and will be accomplished by the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia (MoES) in cooperation with European partners.
Objectives:
The overall objective
of this Twinning project is to fully implement the Bologna process action lines
within the relevant institutions and to prepare for integration in the European
Higher Education Area (EHEA).
The project will increase the institutional capacity of the Ministry of
Education and Science of Georgia and other key institutions, e.g. National
Education and Accreditation Centre for the implementation of the Bologna
process action lines.
Information and awareness are key to the effective implementation of the
Bologna process. Consultations, working groups, training courses, visits of
short term experts and more will bring together a mix of instruments to
facilitate the reform process, including different stakeholders.
Cooperation Partners:
The
Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia (MoES) aims at
establishing a modern and innovative edu-cational and scientific environment.
The overall achievements are quality assurance, enhancement of institutional
capacities and integration in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
The German Federal
Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) actively supports
cooperation of German institutions with Georgia in education, science and
technology. It assists countries of the CIS region in implementing the Bologna
Reform in the framework of working groups both on bilateral and EU-level.
The Centre international d‘études
pédagogiques (CIEP) is a French public institution mandated by
the Ministry of General Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and
Research to promote international cooperation in education. It is worldwide
known for its competencies in the field of expertise, training, evaluation, and
for its reflection in the field of international cooperation in education.
The German Academic
Exchange Service (DAAD) is an independent, non-profit
organisation whose full members are higher education institutions and student
bodies. Through German government funds DAAD has acquired unique expertise in
the field of higher education systems worldwide and plays an active part in the
implementation of the Bologna Process in Germany.
The Deutsche
Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) is an
international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide
operations. It is a national mandated body for Twinning and managed more than
100 Twinning projects for German public sector clients over the last ten years.
All these partners are involved to enhance the whole project.
Georgia
has
made important progress with Bologna reforms since they were launched in 2004/2005.
Despite – or even because of – the impressive progress made so far, it is
commonly agreed that the reforms are now entering a crucial phase in Georgia:
the comprehensive implementation of Bologna action lines at ‘working level’. To
maintain the momentum and ensure sustainability, the MoES, its partner
institutions and HEIs are in need of expert assistance.
- First, the MoES and relevant institutions (other governmental institutions, education centres and agencies) are charged to provide normative and advising services to the HE sector and other parts of government to implement the Bologna Action Lines (guideline competence, preparation of relevant legislation and bylaws, etc.). The individual departments often lack the necessary expertise.
- Second, coordination and communication between the governmental and academic institutions and structures in charge of steering and implementing Bologna reform components (and related initiatives) often lack a comprehensive overview of the inter-linkages between the reform components.
- Third, the HE sector in Georgia lacks adequate steering, consulting and advising mechanisms and body/bodies (such as - for example - a Bologna Committee, a network of Bologna experts with a clear mandate and necessary resources, an association of universities, a centre of higher education policy and training, or similar). Such mechanisms and bodies would ensure a comprehensive implementation of Bologna reforms at the level of universities, faculties and programs, and provide a platform for HEIs to advise and consult the government on the HEIs expertise and concerns.
The Twinning Project intends to provide assistance in each of these areas. The project consists of six components which build the operational steps towards the objectives. The French site will cover the components 1, 5 and 6 whereas the German site supports the components 2, 3 and 4.
In each component is foreseen the visit either of French or German experts who will closely work together with working groups which will be established in each components. Suggestions and recommendations which will be proposed by experts will be endorsed by the project Steering Committee and implemented by MoES and relevant Stakeholders.
Component 1
External Assessment for NEAC is held with the purpose to access the European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR) and the coordination and networking capacity of MoES is enhanced by means of action plan for the related department.
Component 2
Legal and normative framework reviewed and
concrete recommendations endorsed by stakeholders.
Component 3
The National Qualifications Framework for
Higher Education (NQF for HE) is self-certified
Component 4
Study programs in 5 disciplines for regulated professions have undergone an internal and external evaluation
Component 5
Recognition practice in Georgia is in line with the Lisbon Recognition Convention (LRC) and subsidiary texts
Component 6
The capacity of Georgian trainers and representatives of key institutions is enhanced to implement and maintain Bologna reforms (administrative and academic staff, students)
Implementation period: June 2009 – March 2011
Contacts: Cay Etzold (RTA-Resident Twinning Adviser)
Lela
Maisuradze (RTA-Counterpart/MoES)
