In a significant step towards enhancing international cooperation in higher education quality assurance, the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (the NCEQE) and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (the QAA) of the UK have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (the MoU). This agreement takes collaboration between the two agencies to a new level aiming at improving educational standards and practices in both countries. 

First Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, Mr. Aleksandre Tsuladze attended the event, and his participation was a strong message to the engaged parties that the Ministry shows readiness to support important cooperation activities. 

The QAA, established in 1997, is a world-leading agency focusing on ensuring high-quality education for students in the UK and international. It works with various stakeholders to support and enhance educational standards across higher education institutions. 

One of the solid pillars for cooperation is the fact that both agencies are members of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) and the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA), and share similar missions in improving higher education quality. 

The MoU outlines several key areas of cooperation with a primary focus on deepening mutual understanding of each agency’s approach to quality assurance in higher education. The agencies have committed themselves to sharing insights into their respective external quality assurance systems and procedures, as well as exchanging information on urgent issues related to quality and standards in higher education. 

Staff development of both agencies is another important pillar in the partnership. The agreement provides for activities, such as, staff exchanges, observation of each other’s review processes, and training programmes. These initiatives will enable professionals from both agencies to gain hands-on experience ultimately enhancing the capacity and expertise of both institutions. 
In order to strengthen the international dimension of the review processes, the NCEQE and the QAA have agreed to draw on reviewers and specialists from each other’s pool of experts to strengthen international dimension of the review processes. This exchange of field experts is anticipated to bring fresh perspectives and robust evaluation practices to quality assurance processes in both countries.

The MoU also paves the way for collaboration on mutually beneficial projects and activities. These include efforts to enhance quality assurance mechanisms of transnational education, support student mobility, and conduct research on quality assurance related issues. This comprehensive approach to cooperation is expected to yield significant benefits for the higher education sectors in both countries, fostering a more interconnected and quality-driven educational landscape.