“Armenian Center for Democratic Education-CIVITAS” Non-Governmental Organization

On 18 September, the “Armenian Center for Democratic Education-CIVITAS” Non-Governmental Organization summarized the sub-grant project, which was implemented within the framework of “Budgets for Citizens” program.

Representatives of Yerevan State University, Brusov State University, Eurasia International University, the NAS RA International Scientific Educational Center, as well as partner NGOs attended the event.

The Project Manager Ms Nane Grigoryan delivered the opening remarks. Ms Syuzanna Soghomonyan, an expert of the “Budgets for Citizens” program, welcomed the participants as well. She highlighted the importance of the initiatives implemented within the framework of the program and the work undertaken to promote sectoral reforms.

The project experts Mr. Alexander Shagafyan and Ms Liliya Khachatryan presented the key areas and recorded results of the project, while young specialist Ms Anna Badalyan presented a comparative analysis covering budget aspects and international practices. The project “Improving Third-Cycle Higher Education: A Meaningful Credit System” is a logical continuation of the research previously conducted under the “Budgets for Citizens” program.

Survey results from a previous study involving PhD students and degree-seeking candidates indicate that the credit system operating at the third level of higher education requires a significant revision: it is necessary to move beyond mere formal alignment and transform the system into an integral component of the educational and research process.

The key outcome of the project is a policy brief that directly addresses the third level of higher education and, in particular, the credit system. The recommendations presented in the document are aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the credit system and bringing it more closely in line with the spirit of the Salzburg Principles.

The recommendations are addressed to both policymakers in this field and higher education institutions; and aim to ensure greater diversity, a more targeted approach, and the necessary flexibility within the system of postgraduate education and research.

The event on summarizing the project’s outcomes provided an opportunity to present the key results of the study, discuss recommendations, and consider possibilities for the further development of the credit system at the third level of higher education.

This event is implemented with the financial support of the European Union within the framework of a sub-grant provided under the “Budgets for Citizens” action implemented by the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, in cooperation with partners “Economic Development and Research Center” (EDRC) NGO and “Agora Central Europe” NGO (Czech Republic). It has been implemented by the “Armenian Center for Democratic Education-CIVITAS” Non-Governmental Organization within the framework of the “Improving Third-Cycle Higher Education: A Meaningful Credit System” project.

The content is the sole responsibility of the “Armenian Center for Democratic Education-CIVITAS” NGO and it does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.