The outcome of each quality assurance process should be student-oriented: round-table discussions with VETs’ QA managers.
On October 12-13, ANQA held round-table discussions with VETs’ quality assurance managers. Such meetings aim to create a platform for dialogue among VETs to raise problems together and find joint solutions. Referring to the State Program for Development of Education in the Republic of Armenia until 2030, Ruben Topchyan, ANQA’s director, emphasized the prospect of up to 90% of VETs’ alumni working in their profession.
During the meetings, VETs’ quality assurance managers shared their work experience and the results of the management of quality assurance processes in education institutions.
The following directions were discussed:
- quality assurance managers’ role in the processes of identification of institution's needs;
- managers’ problem-setting and support in the development of the system,
- communication development between the education institution’s stakeholders as a prerequisite for the development of a culture of quality assurance;
- peculiarities of interpretation of accreditation criteria;
- possibilities of applying the PDCA cycle in the context of all divisions’ activities;
- opportunities for interaction with ANQA.
The use of tools for the study of the professional progress of students and for the advanced tests in the process of student assessment were also emphasized with particular importance.
In addition to those mentioned above, it should be noted that ANQA regularly holds meetings with the stakeholders in different formats each year. Round-table discussions, workshops, and conferences are effective platforms for educational institutions to communicate, raise current issues about quality assurance, and propose systemic solutions. Moreover, these processes strengthen partnership ties with ANQA and create partnerships between different educational institutions.