KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

The closing conference of the Tempus MAHATMA project (Master in Higher Education Management: Developing Leaders for Managing Educational Transformation) took place at Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU). The conference brought together stakeholders of the field and representatives of European partner institutions.

During the conference, the participants were introduced to the achievements and tangible results [of the project], which summarized the steps and actions of the past four years and the best way of the project implementation, establishment of the International Association for Education, and benefits of membership.

The guests were welcomed by ASPU Rector Ruben Mirzakhanyan, who said the project was a success and had positive results. “Its implementation coincided with the reform policy carried out by the Pedagogical University. The development of new Master’s courses and the joint work within the framework of the project gave a new impetus to the reform process,” the rector said and thanked the partners for joint work.

The conference participants were greeted by Eduard Sharmazanov, Vice-Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly and a member of the ASPU Board, who wished them productive work and assured the conference participants on behalf of the legislative body that they would support the implementation of similar projects in the universities: he stressed that ‘improvement of education quality is imperative.’

“For many centuries, Armenians paid special attention to education and its quality: one of our hands was in Armenia, the other in the West, trying to master achievements of the European education system. The 21st century is a century of literate people and well-educated society where it is impossible to resist the introduction of European values without exchange of experience,” Mr. Sharmazanov said adding that ‘in countries that have a good education system, a moral and civilized society there is no war, but only peace.’

Ruzanna Minasyan, a member of the MAHATMA Project Management team, introduced the results and achievements of the project since its launch in 2012. She stressed that it was a unique start for the ASPU and other Armenia universities, as well as an important process for the partner institutions.

Introduction of Master’s programme in higher education management, creation of the International Association for Education, organization of training, student exchange programmes, creation of an international peer-reviewed journal, etc: to this and other achievements, Ruzanna Minasyan added the efforts to raise awareness about the project, ranging from workshops, seminars to group meetings.

Guided by the slogan of Mahatma Gandhi “If you want to see a change, be the change that you wish to see in the world,” MAHATMA became a key project for the university, where the specialty of Education Management was introduced. External evaluation, review and additions have been made, and quality assessment was performed by expert groups in order to boost the efficiency of work.

“No project would have value or continuity without active partners. Four years later, we can state that the slogan adopted by the project management team and its partners –to crown everything with success - became a reality,” Ruzanna Minasyan said. “Today, we have trained students, education programmes and Masters in Education Management. We still have much work to do. This is a new beginning of a new cooperation.”

Luisa Ardizzone, another member of the Project Management team who arrived in Armenia from Italy, added that the project would not have a similar result but for the devoted work of the participating countries. “Representatives of institutions from different countries were trying to create something and improve the quality of education in their countries."

Introducing the Armenian experience in developing professional education programmes, Head of Education Management Chair at the ASPU, Rita Gevorgyan, said that the project was in line with the strategy of the university and aimed to confront the challenges of the education sector.

“There is a great demand for education sector leaders in the labour market. In addition to acquiring professional qualities, management skills and abilities, they can also effectively implement educational reforms, be familiar with the experience of European universities and localize it in Armenia,” Rita Gevorgyan said. She added that ASPU graduates with the specialization of Education Management are already involved in various levels of the education system, applying the knowledge and practical skills they acquired during the years of study for the implementation of strategic guidelines.

During the conference, the participants also discussed the importance of the grant programme, presented the experience of the Armenian and Georgian sides in developing academic courses and involving students in higher education management, programme quality assurance processes, the opinion of quality assurance centres about the project, as well as establishment of the International Association for Education, membership terms and conditions.

We remind that as a project coordinator, ASPU coordinates all technical and financial issues of the project. MAHATMA is a three-year multi-country joint project aimed at promoting transformation of higher education management in Armenia and Georgia through introduction of a new Master’s programme/professional development courses in higher education management. During the implementation of the project, a chair of education management was established at the university. Also, Master's courses were introduced at the university in September 2013.

At the end of the conference, representatives of partner institutions and organizations received certificates and souvenirs.