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.

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)