On October 22 of the current year, under the organization of the Qualifications Development Department of the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE), within the framework of the project “Enhancing Capacities for Implementing the Referencing and Self-Certification Processes of Georgia's National Qualifications Framework (GEOREF),” the first working meeting was held with the expanded working group of stakeholders supporting the referencing and self-certification process of Georgia's National Qualifications Framework.
The meeting aimed to inform the broader public about the activities carried out and planned within the framework of the referencing and self-certification process of the national qualifications framework and to ensure their involvement in these processes.
The expanded working group includes representatives from sectoral ministries, public law legal entities (PLEs) and/or non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entities (N(N)LEs) related to the education sector; representatives of independent scientific-research institutes and non-governmental organizations operating in the education field; representatives of sectoral associations and unions; and representatives of general, vocational, and higher educational institutions.
The active engagement of the broader public in the process of referencing and self-certification of the National Qualifications Framework with European meta-frameworks will contribute to:
•    Raising public awareness about the importance of implementing the National Qualifications Framework and its referencing and self-certification with European meta-frameworks;
•    Legitimizing and ensuring the credibility of the process;
•    Realistically and objectively reflecting the education system in the referencing and self-certification report;
•    Ensuring inclusiveness and transparency through the involvement of all actors and stakeholders in the education system;
•    Aligning the content of qualifications with labor market demands;
•    Ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of the referencing process of the National Qualifications Framework.
Regular meetings with the expanded working group are planned to inform the broader public about the progress and upcoming steps of the referencing and self-certification process and to gather their feedback.
The aforementioned project is being implemented within the framework of the Erasmus+ program, with financial support from the European Union and co-financing from the Center. The National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement has initiated this project with the objective of harmonizing GNQF with the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (EQF-LLL) and the Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area (QF-EHEA). This initiative enhances the visibility of Georgia’s education system and facilitates the international recognition of qualifications awarded within the country.