Ahead of the HEIs’ programme accreditation, on April 9, ANQA organized "Academic Programme Enhancement: Presenting Best Practices" regular online workshop, which was attended by more than 50 specialists from the Armenian HEIs. Representatives from the Yerevan State Medical University (YSMU) and Armenian Medical Institute (AMI) presented their practice in academic programme enhancement. Davit Ghazaryan, teacher at YSMU shared a presentation "A New Online System for Teaching and Assessment of Pathology". D. Ghazaryan described how the introduced online assessment system can ensure that:
- students have the chance to select their preferred teacher for each weekly topic and take part in several teachers’ courses on the same topic;
- students can opt to attend the classes in person or online;
- at the end of each topic, teachers can assess the students’ achievement and progress through the electronic educational platform, identifying students’ educational needs;
- self-education is fostered, with students receiving theoretical materials in advance, and class time dedicated to analysing professional issues;
- students’ final grade is determined by four components: ongoing assessments, final examination and research work, computer-based testing.
It was noted that the integration of the electronic assessment system in the teaching and assessment process has resulted in higher student progress compared to previous years. It was also emphasized that in the digital era, demonstration of flexibility in the education system is crucial to keep up with the times and leverage technological opportunities for the benefit of the education system. Gohar Mkrtchyan, AMI’s manager of quality assurance, and Anahit Harutyunyan, teacher at the same institution shared a presentation "Class Quality Management". AMI’s studies revealed that different teachers of the same subject record varying results. To ensure consistent outcomes, the HEI initiated the introduction of general lesson plans. It was emphasized that general lesson plans enabled to:
- maintain consistency in the subject teaching, while also allowing the teacher’s individual approach to the topic and the class;
- ensure exchange of practice and dissemination of the best practices developed within the institution;
- assist novice teachers in gaining pedagogical experience and showing the correct approach to the subject;
- ensure interdisciplinary connections and promote cooperation between teachers, conduct of joint classes;
- develop student assignments aimed at ensuring the outcomes outlined in the lesson plan.
During the meeting, ANQA Director Ruben Topchyan attached importance to the HEI management’s role in fostering and investing in innovations. "Innovations allow us to find solutions to existing issues. The leader should encourage innovation and experimentation", mentioned Dr. Topchyan, highlighting that each innovation should incorporate a quality assurance system and be grounded in research. Through the embedment of a quality assurance system, you can safeguard your innovation and ensure its continuous enhancement", stated ANQA Director. Ruben Topchyan emphasized that ANQA’s goal is the identification and dissemination of innovation: "We urge everyone to share their best practice. Each practice is important. We have a lot to learn from each other".
At the end of the event, the participants attached importance to the continuation of such events, stressing ANQA is an effective platform for cooperation and exchange of practice among the HEIs. It should be noted that workshops aim to foster a dialogue between the HEIs, establish partnership relations and to disseminate best practices resulting from the discussions on the APs’ best practices.