The recurrent sitting of the Inter-university Consortium was held in Armenian State Pedagogical University (ASPU). The sitting was attended by rectors of universities included in the Inter-university Consortium - Goris State University, Artsakh State University, Vanadzor State Pedagogical Institute after Hovhannes Tumanyan, Gyumri State Pedagogical Institute after Mikael Nalbandian, Armenian State Institute of Physical Culture and National Institute of Education.
The meeting focused on the concept of higher pedagogical education reforms and the main trends of its development.
When representing the concept of higher pedagogical education reforms in the sector of higher education, Mkrtich Avagyan, Head of the Department of Educational Development and Quality Assurance at the ASPU, referred to the principles of teacher training in the 21st century, their compliance with the country’s educational policy, as well as European philosophy, methodology and policy.
Highlighting the special mission of a pedagogical university in the system of higher educational institutions, Mkrtich Avagyan expressed the belief that a modern-day teacher must have a perfect command of the subject, master the skills necessary to identify the abilities and preferences of an individual. He/she must also have a reliable store of teaching-methodological knowledge and abilities.
Mr. Avagyan also presented in detail the stages of development of pedagogical education, objectives of higher pedagogical education reforms, as well as the expected results.
Mher Melik-Bakhshyan, ASPU Vice-Rector, Head of the Division of Coordination of Academic and Scientific-Methodological Activities, dwelt on the cooperation with the University of Oulu (Finland) within the framework of “European Quality and Consistency” program and stressed that it aims to better the quality of higher pedagogical education under the leadership of the ASPU.
“During the joint work, we studied the international experience in the preparation and training of pedagogues, analyzed the current state of higher pedagogical education in Armenia and clarified the approaches of reforms,” he said.
It is noteworthy that within the framework of cooperation thematic working groups were formed that involved representatives of the Inter-university Consortium.
Touching upon the need for educational reforms ASPU Chancellor, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Rouben Mirzakhanyan assured the presentees that the imitation of educational traditions and practice of other countries can lead to a tragic end.
“I do believe that we shall be able to improve the quality of pedagogical education when we realize that we are preparing teachers for our national schools,” he stressed.
Continuing the theme of education, Susanna Karakhanyan, Head of the Policy Development and Implementation Unit of National Center for Professional Education Quality Assurance (ANQA), presented “Transformation of Education Management” program to be implemented within Tempus V.
The ASPU has been named winner in Tempus IV –Fifth Call for Proposals as a result of which a Master’s Degree program will be worked out in the specialization of “Higher Educational Management, Preparation of Educational Transformation Management Leaders”.
