KHACHATUR ABOVYAN ARMENIAN STATE PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY

ASPU representatives Anna Hakhumyan, a senior specialist at the Education Reforms and Quality Assurance Department, and Kristine Tanajyan, a lecturer at the Chair of Sociology and Social Work, visited the University of Macerata in Italy within the framework of ESPAQ (Enhancing Students Participation in Quality Assurance in Armenian Higher Education) - a project funded by the European Union's Tempus programme.

The aim of the study visit was to promote adoption, spread and use of best practices of the QA systems in participating countries, reveal the strengths and weaknesses of organizational processes, identify opportunities, threats and challenges, at the same time promoting and ensuring students’ involvement in the university's quality assurance procedures at the institutional level.

During the meetings in Italy, the ASPU representatives were introduced to the structure of the QA system at the University of Macerata, feedback mechanisms, approaches to the involvement of student experts and the nature of their participation. During discussions, the Armenian guests presented the experience of their university [ASPU] in involving students in quality assurance processes and the quality assurance system at Armenian State Pedagogical University.

At the end of the visit, the ASPU delegates participated in a conference held at the University of Macerata within the International Cooperation Week. During the conference featuring representatives of prestigious universities, Anna Hakhumyan introduced the structure of Armenian State Pedagogical University, the specialties it offers and the activity of the university in the international arena.