{04.09.2025}
[For English scroll down]
The Erasmus+ National Office in Georgia, with the support of SPHERE Obreal (Barcelona, Spain), is organizing a seminar – “Technical Assistance Mission (TAM) – Quality Assurance and Recognition of Distance Learning Programs”.
On October 9-10, an event on the development of the Georgian higher education landscape will be hosted by a leading expert in the field, Professor Karl Ledermüller (Head of Evaluation and Quality Improvement at WU VIENNA), from Vienna, Austria. Prof. Tamar Sanikidze (HERE – Higher Education Reform Expert in Georgia, working under the mandate of the Erasmus+ National Office) will present Georgia’s perspective on the issues discussed.
The event will provide an opportunity for representatives of higher education institutions and relevant decision-makers at the national level to learn about existing best practices, examples and internationalization of this experience in the field of online and blended learning. In relation to the new legislative changes, the main focus of the event is to promote the practical use of online and blended learning, raise awareness of international perspectives, ensure quality and prepare for future challenges in digital education, including facilitating the establishment of an online university.
Working language: English
Date and time: October 2025, 9 (11:00 – 18:00) and 10 (11:00 – 14:00)
Target audience (who might be interested in the event?):
- Representatives of higher education institutions – rectors, vice-rectors, quality assurance specialists, deans, international integration centers, etc.;
- Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia;
- National Center for Education Quality Development;
- European Union Delegation;
- Higher education reform experts;
On quality assurance and recognition of distance learning programs
The digital transformation of the higher education system is one of the most important priorities for Georgia. The ongoing digital transformation process in the field of higher education, which includes a number of topical issues raised by the post-COVID environment and a set of new digital tools, has a significant impact on the ongoing academic processes in higher education. By ensuring appropriate quality management standards and through digital transformation, it will be possible to increase access to higher education, improve the internationalization component of educational programs, and support educational equity in the country.
It is expected that digital transformation will lead to the development of flexible learning modules, including online, blended and hybrid modules. These changes, in turn, will help students with diverse needs, including those who study part-time or on non-traditional schedules.
The Technical Assistance Mission (TAM) event focuses on quality assurance and recognition of distance learning programmes delivered in Georgia, whether fully online or in a blended learning mode. The idea for the event was initiated by the Erasmus+ National Office in Georgia. The application reflects the need to share expert experience in the changing landscape of higher education, especially in light of recent legislative changes.
The need for a specific TAM was triggered by the adoption of new laws on “Higher Education” and “Improving the Quality of Education” in June 2024. The aforementioned changes allow for the practice of partially or fully online teaching at the master’s level, while fully online programs require re-accreditation. The adopted laws also regulate the issue of recognition of distance education qualifications obtained abroad. The described legislative changes require the development of solid quality assurance frameworks and clear procedures for the processes of establishing diverse educational programs. Therefore, the selected topic is of paramount importance for the digital transformation and sustainability of the Georgian higher education sector.
During the event Professor Karl Ledermuller The attendees will be provided with in-depth information on quality assurance and recognition and examples of best practices implemented by other countries. The expert will also lead interactive workshops and provide recommendations for the development of future policy documents. The knowledge shared by the invited expert will facilitate the understanding of accreditation criteria for the recognition of international qualifications and the creation of structural and educational conditions for online universities for Georgian universities and relevant structures.
The event will provide higher education institutions with important information on legislative changes, quality assurance standards, online university plans, and guidelines for the recognition of foreign distance learning qualifications. The event aims to promote communication, cooperation, and dialogue between higher education institutions and national decision-makers, ensuring a smooth transition to the new era of digital education in Georgia, aligning institutions with national standards, and effectively contributing to the evolution of higher education.
Registration link: https://forms.gle/hJKqxp67jtoY1gHw7
Registration is required to attend the event.
Registration deadline: October 2, 2025, 24:00 (Georgian time)
Additional information about the event will be shared with registered individuals.
We look forward to meeting you!
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Technical Assistance Mission (TAM) – Quality assurance and recognition of distance education programs
The National Erasmus+ office is organizing a Technical Assistance Mission on 'Quality Assurance and Recognition of Distance Education Programs,' with the invaluable support of SPHERE Obreal (Barcelona, Spain).
This pivotal event on Oct 9-10, 2025, brings a leading expert – Prof. Mag. Dr. Karl Ledermüller (WU VIENNA, Head of Evaluation and Quality Enhancement) from Vienna, Austria to Tbilisi to elevate Georgia's higher education landscape. The Georgian perspective will be represented by Prof. Tamar Sanikidze (HERes – Higher Education Reform Expert in Georgia under the mandate of NEO).
This is an unparalleled opportunity for universities and national authorities to gain crucial insights into existing best practices, the internationalization of these practices, and compelling case studies in online and blended learning. While we will touch upon recent legislative updates, the primary focus is on practical application and international perspectives, ensuring robust quality assurance and preparing for the future of digital education, including the establishment of an online university.
Working Language: English
Dates and Times: 09 (11:00 – 18:00) and 10 October (11:00 – 14:00), 2025
Target Audience:
- Representatives of the HEIs – Rectors, Vice-Rectors, Quality Assurance Specialists, Deans, International Integration Centers etc.
- Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia
- National Center For Educational Quality Enhancement
- EU DEL
- HEREs
About Quality assurance and Recognition of distance education programs
Digital transformation is one of the important priorities for the higher education sector in Georgia. Digital transformation happening now in higher education encompasses a number of pressing issues raised by the post-covid environment with a set of novel digital tools that significantly affects the academic process in HE. With appropriate quality management standards, digital transformation is positioned to enhance accessibility to higher education, improve the internationalization component of educational programs, and support education equity in the country. Digital transformation is expected to support flexible modules, including online, blended and hybrid teaching models. This in turn should support students with diverse needs, including part-time and non-traditional learners.
The Technical Assistance Mission (TAM) proposal outlines a critical initiative focused on "Quality assurance and Recognition of distance education programs, delivered by either fully online or blended learning mode" in Georgia. This proposal, submitted by the National Erasmus+ Office in Georgia, seeks expert assistance to address the evolving landscape of higher education in the country, particularly in light of recent legislative amendments.
The core rationale for this TAM stems from the adoption of new laws on "Higher Education" and "Education Quality Enhancement" in June 2024. These amendments permit partial or full online learning at the master's level and mandate re-accreditation for fully online programs, while also addressing the recognition of distance education degrees acquired abroad. This legislative shift necessitates robust quality assurance frameworks and clear procedures for recognizing diverse educational pathways, making the selected topic paramount for the digital transformation and sustainability of Georgia's higher education sector.
The intended learning outcomes are comprehensive, aiming to equip participants with the knowledge and tools to: develop effective quality assurance strategies for distance learning; navigate the accreditation process for online programs; ensure the recognition of distance learning degrees acquired abroad; contribute to the development of future quality assurance standards; and prepare for the establishment of online universities. These outcomes directly address the challenges and opportunities presented by the legislative changes, emphasizing the need for a standardized approach to online and blended learning.
The expert's role is crucial, as they are expected to provide in-depth guidance on quality assurance and recognition, offer case studies and best practices from other countries, lead interactive workshops, and provide recommendations for future policy development. Their input will be instrumental in helping Georgian universities and policymakers understand the specific criteria for accreditation, the ministerial rules for recognizing international qualifications, and the structural and pedagogical requirements for establishing online institutions.
This seminar will disseminate vital information to HEIs regarding the legislative developments, quality assurance standards, plans for an online university, and guidelines for recognizing foreign distance learning degrees. The expected result is to maximize outreach and engagement, fostering open dialogue between HEIs and national authorities to ensure a smooth transition into the new era of digital education in Georgia, aligning all institutions with national standards and contributing effectively to the evolution of higher education.
Registration link: https://forms.gle/hJKqxp67jtoY1gHw7
Registration is necessary to attend the event.
Registration: deadline October 2, 2025, 24:00 (Georgian Time)Additional information regarding the event will be shared with the registered participants.
We are looking forward to meeting you!
