On March 20, the Higher Education and Science Committee organised a discussion with the participation of representatives from Armenian higher education institutions on the Digital Competence Framework for academic staff, which is proposed for approval by a draft order of the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia.

The Digital Competence Framework (DCF) serves as a guideline and working tool for the self-development and self-assessment of academic staff in the higher education sector of Armenia, focusing on their ability to use digital and artificial intelligence tools. It has been developed within the framework of the Erasmus+ programme through the localisation of international best practices.

The discussion on the DCF was attended by the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Harutyun Sargsyan, and the Director of the YSU Quality Assurance Centre, Armen Budaghyan.

Ani Virabyan, Head of the Department for Higher Education and Science Policy Development at the Committee, noted that the draft ministerial order had been circulated among Armenian higher education institutions, and that the proposals submitted by them had been thoroughly discussed and taken into account.

Armen Budaghyan, Director of the YSU Quality Assurance Centre, presented proposals for the next steps following the adoption of the DCF, including the introduction of a pilot programme in Armenian universities, the development and testing of a national certification programme for academic staff training, and other initiatives.

During the discussion, it was noted that the descriptors of digital and AI competences, as well as the proficiency indicators included in the framework, were formulated based on an analysis of the needs of the higher education sector in Armenia and the current state of digital education.

Representatives of higher education institutions welcomed the initiative, raised their concerns, and presented their suggestions regarding the programme.

It should be noted that the DCF is aimed at supporting the implementation of the state’s digital education strategy, as well as ongoing reforms in the higher education sector of the Republic of Armenia.