TAIEX Expert Mission: Advancing Higher Education and Science Reforms in Armenia
From November 27 to 29, 2024, the Higher Education and Science Committee hosted the TAIEX Expert Mission, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Science, Education, and Youth of the Republic of Croatia. Held at the Committee’s headquarters in Yerevan, this three-day mission sought to foster strategic insights, build capacities, and advance ongoing higher education and research reforms in Armenia.
Aims of the Mission: Building a Roadmap for Reform
The mission brought together Armenian policymakers and Croatian experts to share relevant experiences in the joint administration of higher education and research systems.
The addressed topics included performance-based financing, risk assessment, and capacity-building activities, with an overarching goal of aligning Armenia’s educational practices with EU standards.
Key objectives of the mission were:
- Roadmap Recommendations: Identifying priorities for optimizing higher education and research systems.
- Implementation Strategies: Planning legislative procedures and capacity-building activities for reform.
- Risk Assessment: Evaluating and mitigating potential risks to ensure sustainable and effective reforms.
By leveraging best practices from EU member states, the initiative aimed to strengthen Armenia’s capacity to address challenges in higher education and research, while creating a robust foundation for future progress.
Day One: Understanding Current Ecosystems
The mission opened with welcoming remarks by Mr. Sargis Hayotsyan, Chairman of the Higher Education and Science Committee, and Ms. Dijana Mandić, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Higher Education in Croatia. Both leaders emphasized the importance of fostering collaboration and shared knowledge to navigate the complexities of higher education reforms.
The first day provided a comprehensive overview of Armenia’s higher education and research ecosystem, led by Mr. Levon Farmanyan, Secretary-General of HESC. His presentation detailed the current structure, core priorities, and recent developments in the Armenian system, setting the stage for subsequent discussions.
Participants also explored the Croatian experience in education and research governance, with Ms. Dijana Mandić and Mr. Kristian Vlahoviček presenting on their country’s successful approaches to performance-based financing and mechanisms for optimizing operations, enhancing accountability, and fostering innovation. They highlighted collaborative programs with Switzerland and the support for university alliances under the aegis of the EU, showcasing Croatia’s ability to navigate similar challenges Armenia faces today. These insights offered actionable lessons for the Armenian context.
A deep dive into HESC’s internal operations followed, featuring departmental presentations that outlined the key missions and tasks of its units. Speakers emphasized strategic planning, program implementation, and the operational frameworks driving transformative change across Armenia’s education sector.
The day also addressed broader themes such as transparency, accountability, quality assurance, and market needs assessment—practical areas where Croatia’s experience aligns closely with Armenia’s reform challenges. These discussions not only illuminated shared challenges but also underscored the potential for tailored solutions drawing on Croatia’s tested approaches.
As the mission continues, Day Two will address optimization strategies, including:
- Reform Management: Croatia’s roadmap for performance-based financing.
- Governance Models: Strategies for collaboration and structural changes.
Interactive discussions will provide actionable tools for reforms.
Day Three will emphasize capacity building and finalizing reform roadmaps, covering:
- Risk Assessment: Crafting timelines and strategies.
- Skill Development: Strengthening leadership and planning.
- Funding Models: Transitioning to performance-based systems.
The mission will close with discussions on future collaboration.