TAM Report / Georgia - Joint and double degrees

GENERAL INFORMATION

TAM title: Establishment of joint and double degree educational programmes

Type of Event: Webinar

Modality: Online

Country: Georgia

Dates: 27 December 2024

Participants: The event gathered 40 participants, including representatives of higher education institutions, HEREs, and relevant public authorities such as the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia. Participants included competent institutional authorities dealing with recognition matters and staff involved in internationalisation and joint programme development.

THEMES COVERED

• Definitions and formats of joint and double degree programmes
• Benefits for institutions, students, and national systems
• EU-level policies, regulatory frameworks, and subsidiarity
• European Qualification Framework (EQF)
• Quality assurance through the ESG and the European Approach
• Common challenges: accreditation differences, language issues, academic calendar mismatches
• Strategies for overcoming barriers
• Roadmap for developing EU-compliant joint programmes
• Best practices and case studies from EU institutions
• Cross-border cooperation models and lessons learned

KEY OUTCOMES

During the workshop, participants:

• Gained a clear understanding of how joint and double degrees are structured and regulated in the EU
• Improved knowledge of EU policy frameworks and quality assurance requirements
• Explored success factors and challenges of implementing joint programmes
• Reflected on the Georgian context and conditions needed for implementation
• Discussed legal, financial, and administrative barriers, and how to address them
• Learned concrete steps for designing joint curricula and building international partnerships
• Recognised the importance of flexibility in national regulatory and accreditation frameworks
• Identified the need for institutional and national follow-up actions to support future implementation

OVERVIEW

The Technical Assistance Mission focused on the establishment of joint and double degree educational programmes in Georgia. The seminar aimed to support the country’s internationalisation and modernisation strategies by introducing European best practices, regulatory frameworks, and successful implementation models.

The programme included an introduction by the National Erasmus+ Office, expert presentations on key concepts and definitions, EU policy and regulatory frameworks, common challenges and barriers, and a detailed roadmap for developing EU-compliant joint and double degree programmes. Participants were introduced to European standards, the European Qualification Framework (EQF), ESG-based quality assurance, Erasmus Mundus criteria, and the European Approach for QA of Joint Programmes. The event concluded with case studies, practical recommendations, and an interactive Q&A session.

THE FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY

Title of the activity: Evaluation Criteria for Joint and Double Degree Educational Programmes

Dates: December 2024

Audience: The event brought together representatives from Georgian higher education institutions, International Integration Centers, and a range of administrative units. A total of 30 participants attended the seminar. Those who took part included institutional administrators and staff working in internationalisation, programme evaluation, and academic quality, reflecting a diverse group engaged in the development and implementation of joint and double degree programmes.

Description: The follow-up seminar, held online in December 2024, focused on clarifying the procedures, standards, and quality assurance requirements for implementing joint and double degree programmes in Georgia. Delivered by a local Higher Education Reform Expert specialising in quality assurance, the session provided information tailored to the Georgian higher education context.

Through structured presentations and interactive discussions, participants examined evaluation criteria, explored implementation challenges, and asked institution-specific questions. The event aimed to strengthen institutional understanding, support higher education internationalisation, and enhance the overall quality of joint and double degree offerings in the country.

ENHANCING IMPACT: PROPOSED NEXT STEPS

For government and national authorities:

• Harmonise legal frameworks to support recognition, accreditation and awarding of joint and double degrees.
• Streamline approval and accreditation procedures to reduce administrative barriers.
• Address resource disparities through financial and infrastructural support.

For higher education institutions:

• Foster clear communication among partners to avoid misunderstandings.
• Strengthen trusted partnerships and build on established expertise.
• Develop standardised curricula aligned with accreditation standards and local needs.
• Provide language support and/or courses in multiple languages.
• Harmonise financing and tuition systems for joint programmes.
• Improve organizational processes to integrate joint programmes effectively.
• Ensure consistent quality assurance and seamless credit transfer across partner institutions.

RESOURCES AND BACKGROUND MATERIAL

• European Joint Programmes (2025) Joint Programmes. Available at: https://www.jointdegree.eu/en/
• EQAR (2025) B. Standards for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes in the EHEA. Available at: https://www.eqar.eu/kb/joint-programmes/agreed-standards/