GENERAL INFORMATION
TAM title: The Role of Georgian Higher Education Institutions in Shaping a National Quality Assurance System for Research and Innovation
Type of Event: Webinar and interactive workshops
Modality: Online
Country: Georgia
Dates: 15–16 December 2025
Participants: Between 15 and 30 participants per session, primarily representatives from Georgian higher education institutions, including university leadership, academic staff, quality assurance professionals, and representatives of relevant agencies and national bodies.
THEMES COVERED
- Quality assurance of research within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA)
- Distinction between research assessment and quality assurance of research
- European best practices in external quality assurance of research (examples from France and Sweden)
- Quality assurance of doctoral education
- Academic and research integrity
- Development of policy recommendations tailored to the Georgian context
- Balancing qualitative and quantitative indicators in research QA
- Responsible use of AI in research and higher education
KEY OUTCOMES
During the workshop, participants:
- Gained a clearer understanding of the concept and scope of quality assurance of research, including its distinction from research assessment.
- Explored European best practices and comparative perspectives from France and Sweden.
- Identified key components of quality assurance in doctoral education.
- Reflected on the role of academic and research integrity within QA systems.
- Contributed to the drafting of practical recommendations for implementing external quality assurance of research in Georgia.
OVERVIEW
The 1.5-day online mission combined keynote presentations, contextual input from a Georgian expert, panel discussions, Q&A sessions, interactive polling, breakout workshops, and collective drafting of recommendations. Day 1 focused on understanding European approaches to research quality assurance within the EHEA, exploring comparative practices from Sweden and France, and examining the Georgian assessment landscape. Participants engaged in structured discussions to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for reform.
Day 2 concentrated on academic and research integrity, quality assurance of doctoral education, and the formulation of policy recommendations and action-oriented insights. Workshop sessions allowed participants to collaboratively design elements of an external quality assurance framework adapted to national priorities and institutional realities. The mission provided practical tools, conceptual clarification, and comparative perspectives to support Georgian stakeholders in moving toward a more structured and evidence-informed approach to research quality assurance.
THE FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY
Title of the activity: Follow-up Report – “The Role of Georgian HEIs in Shaping a National Quality Assurance System for Research and Innovation”
Dates: January 2026
Audience: Higher Education Reform Experts (HEREs) involved in the TAM, the National Erasmus+ Office in Georgia, and indirectly higher education institutions, policymakers, and relevant stakeholders through newsletter and website dissemination.
Description: The follow-up activity consisted of the preparation of a structured written report summarising the key findings, good practices, and recommendations of the Technical Assistance Mission held on 15–16 December 2025. The report focused on the role of Georgian higher education institutions in shaping a national quality assurance system for research and innovation. It consolidated the main discussions and conclusions of the TAM and served as a knowledge-sharing output designed for dissemination beyond the immediate participants.
Although not issued as a formal public publication, the report contributed to internal reflection within HERE and NEO structures. It supported the consolidation of discussions, identified areas requiring further structured analysis and policy dialogue, and laid the groundwork for more targeted, policy-oriented future activities aligned with national higher education reform priorities.
ENHANCING IMPACT: PROPOSED NEXT STEPS
- Develop national-level recommendations or guidelines on external quality assurance of research, grounded in EHEA best practices but adapted to the Georgian context.
- Promote a balanced QA approach combining qualitative evaluation with context-appropriate quantitative indicators.
- Develop national and institutional guidelines on responsible use of AI in research and academic work.
- Strengthen awareness and capacity-building within HEIs regarding quality assurance of research and doctoral education.
RESOURCES AND BACKGROUND MATERIAL
Vlãsceanu, L., Grünberg, L., & Pârlea, D. (2007). Quality Assurance and Accreditation: A Glossary of Basic Terms and Definitions (Revised and updated edition). UNESCO-CEPES, Bucharest. Available at: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000134621
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