The first mission under the Activity 4.3 Review the legal and regulatory framework for recognition and, if required, submit recommendations to comply with European best practices of the Twinning project took place from 13 to 17 May 2019.

The experts who visited Baku for this mission were Ms. Kristina Sutkute, Information and Assessment Officer at the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education of Lithuania (SKVC) and Mr. Jean-Luc Lamboley, Professor at Lion 2 University of France.

The objective of the mission was to train the relevant staff at pilot universities in the field of recognition of periods of study based on learning outcomes.

As part of the mission, workshops were organized in Baku State University, Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University, Azerbaijan Technical University and Sumgait State University. The participants featured heads of chairs and deans of faculties who are responsible for the organization of studies for the study programmes selected as pilots as part of the Twinning project as well teaching staff from relevant chairs.  

During the workshops the university staff were trained on how to recognize the periods of study based on learning outcomes, but not on based on equivalency of subjects as it is practiced at many of the universities at the moment and on how recognition based on learning outcomes can enhance the student mobility to a great degree. The experts also delivered a training on how to write competence-based learning outcomes and organized a short practical exercise with the teaching staff to help them develop those skills.  

As part of their mission the short-term experts also had meetings with staff of the Science, Higher and Secondary Professional Education Department at the Ministry of Education. The discussions focused on what amendments are needed to be made to the Rules of Organizing Studies at Bachelor and Master Levels based on European Credit Transfer System in order to provide more opportunities for a student mobility.

The experts also met with the staff of the Accreditation and Nostrification Department to discuss recognition related issues and provided relevant recommendations.