CONFERENCE ON QUALITY INSURANCE SYSTEM IN HIGHER SCHOOLS STARTS IN ARMENIA

ARKA
Sep 23, 2008

YEREVAN, September 23. /ARKA /. A two-day conference on a quality
insurance system of Armenian higher schools started in Yerevan State
University today.

Development of Armenian higher schools within Bologna process will be
discussed at the conference, rector of the University Aram Simonyan
said at the opening ceremony. He pointed out cooperation of the Yerevan
State University with the State Engineering University of Armenia to
develop the new processes.

Coordinator of Tempus program of the European Commission Lana Karlova,
in her turn, said that the conference will help discuss experience
and approaches of the country’s higher schools on quality reforms.

The definition of quality of education changed in Armenia now, Karlova
said adding that the final result, i.e. ability of graduates to meet
market requirements is considered quality as compared with the previous
criteria on student selection or laboratory equipment. Armenia is going
through the process slowly, Karlova said adding that the institutional
reformation is quite a difficult process.

Young people should be maximally involved in solving the problem
and their opinion should be taken into account in making any change,
she said.

Representatives of Middlesex University and University of Genoa –
partner universities of the Yerevan State University the State
Engineering University of Armenia) partici pate in the conference.

Armenia joined the Bologna convention in 2005.