Minister of Education Discusses Accreditation Concerns with University Rectors
Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, Mikheil Batiashvili, met Monday with the rectors of higher education institutions, both public and private. They discussed the challenges surrounding the accreditation process for educational programs and how to improve it.
The ministry released a statement saying that their work “continues to increase the quality of higher education,” and the meeting was a part of this continual effort.
The accreditation process for university education programs continues, and universities that have already completed the accreditation process will receive the results within the established deadlines, promised Batiashvili. The authorization process was adjusted under the new minister’s administration due to “faults in the course of the previous process and current authorizations,” reads a ministry statement.
Batiashvili took office in mid-July as part of a major cabinet reshuffle under Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze. He initiated several reforms, including dismissing many senior officials. The accreditation reform process has been conducted in close cooperation with the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education and several international organizations. Their goal is to “quickly and effectively integrate into the European Higher Education Area,” Batiashvili said.
The ministry has said it will consider extending the amount of time given to universities to meet accreditation standards, and is involving the Council of Rectors, and local and international higher education experts in the evaluation process. A statement from the ministry said that Batiashvili “believes that the procedures for ensuring the quality of higher education should not be punitive. On the contrary, the ministry should be supportive to universities in order to help them improve their quality. Accordingly, the ministry will evaluate their progress and help them in the future.”
By Samantha Guthrie
Photo: Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport
Related Stories:
No New Students for International Black Sea University This Year
PM Introduces New Education System Strategy
Minister of Education Creates Education Reform Group