On September 19 of the current year, the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement hosted the second Peer Learning Activity (PLA) organized by the Qualifications Development Department, within the framework of the project titled "Enhancing the Capacity for Referencing and Self-Certification Processes of the Georgian National Qualifications Framework (GEOREF)" on the theme of "Learning Outcomes." 

The primary aim of the meeting was to raise awareness among key stakeholders regarding the role and significance of learning outcomes, to share best international practices for effectively formulating learning outcomes in the referencing and self-certification report of the National Qualifications Framework, and to foster deeper collaboration at national, regional, and international levels through the involvement of relevant experts and institutions. 

The event was opened with welcoming remarks delivered by Lasha Margishvili, Acting Director of the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement, and Maia Shukoshvili, Head of the Higher Education and Science Development Department at the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth of Georgia. In their addresses, they emphasized the importance of the GEOREF project in the internationalization of Georgia’s education system, the critical role of learning outcomes in ensuring quality education, and their contribution to international recognition and student mobility. 

The session was facilitated by Khatia Tsiramua, a local expert of the GEOREF project. 

Ketevan Panchulidze, Head of the Qualifications Development Department, presented the work accomplished within the GEOREF project regarding the referencing and self-certification of the Georgian National Qualifications Framework and outlined the project’s future plans. 

Presentations by international experts addressed learning outcomes from the perspective of EQF referencing and self-certification, covering general requirements and country-specific examples. These were delivered by Baiba Ramina, Co-Chair of Thematic Working Group A on Qualifications Frameworks and Director of the Academic Information Centre (AIC) of Latvia, and Kiara Finocchietti, Co-Chair of Thematic Working Group B of the Lisbon Recognition Convention (LRC) and Director of the Information Centre on Academic Mobility and Equivalence (CIMEA) of Italy. 

The GEOREF project includes efforts to raise regional awareness about the referencing and self-certification processes of the National Qualifications Framework, involving representatives from neighboring countries in the planned Peer Learning Activities (PLA). In this context, a presentation on the education system of Armenia was delivered by Gayane Harutyunyan, Director of the National Information Centre for Academic Recognition and Mobility (ARMENIC) of Armenia. 

Further presentations were made by representatives of institutions responsible for developing methodologies for formulating learning outcomes within various education subsystems: Nino Goglichidze, Coordinator of the Qualifications Development Department and GEOREF Project Coordinator at the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement; Lali Kalandadze, Head of the Pre-School and General Education Department at the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth of Georgia; and Tamar Rukhadze, Leader of the Qualifications Development Team at the Agency of Vocational Skills. 

The meeting also featured a panel discussion on the theme "Utilizing Learning Outcomes," with participation from Tamar Kapanadze, Director of Tbilisi Classical Gymnasium; Nana Namgaladze, Head of the Quality Assurance Department at Professional College "Mermisi"; Irma Grdzelidze, Higher Education Expert; Teona Chkheidze, Head of the Recruiting Department at "Energo-Pro Georgia"; and Nino Alavidze, Student Expert. The discussion was facilitated by Natia Vacharadze, Deputy Head of the Qualifications Development Department and local expert of the GEOREF project at the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement. 

With facilitation by international experts, the session concluded with participants engaging in a practical exercise aimed at effectively reflecting learning outcomes in the referencing and self-certification report of the National Qualifications Framework. 

The recommendations emerging from the meeting will be considered in the process of developing the referencing and self-certification report of the National Qualifications Framework. 

The National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement initiated this project to align with the European Qualifications Frameworks, which involves referencing and self-certifying the Georgian National Qualifications Framework with the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (EQF-LLL) and the Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area (QF-EHEA). This aligns with obligations under the EU Association Agreement and is a key recommendation of the Bologna Process. 

The project commenced in October 2024 and will continue until October 2026. It is implemented under the Erasmus+ program with financial support from the European Union and co-financing from the Center. The GEOREF project aims to harmonize and ensure the compatibility of the Georgian National Qualifications Framework with both the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (EQF-LLL) and the Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area (QF-EHEA), thereby enhancing the visibility of Georgia’s education system and facilitating the recognition of qualifications obtained in Georgia within EU countries.