QUARTZ Project Workshops on Quality Assurance Strategy Implementation Successfully Conducted
A series of workshops entitled “From Strategy to Practice: Implementing Quality Assurance (QA) Processes in Higher Education Institutions” was organized within the framework of the Erasmus+ project “Quality Assurance for Reform and Transformation of Higher Education Institutions in Uzbekistan (QUARTZ)”. The primary objective of the workshops was to support higher education institutions in moving from the development of quality assurance strategies to their effective implementation in institutional practice.
The workshops were hosted by Urgench State University, the Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage, and Kimyo International University in Tashkent. Experts from Varna University of Management (Bulgaria) and the University of L’Aquila (Italy) shared their expertise on quality assurance systems, performance indicators, evidence-based decision-making, internal monitoring mechanisms, and the development of a quality culture within universities.
Throughout the workshops, participants explored modern approaches to quality assurance in higher education, methods for assessing the quality of teaching and research, strategic planning, and performance monitoring. Particular attention was given to the adaptation of European best practices and practical quality assurance tools to the context of higher education institutions in Uzbekistan.
The events brought together university leaders, academic staff, quality assurance specialists, administrative personnel, and representatives of national stakeholder organizations. In total, 114 participants from various higher education institutions and organizations across Uzbekistan took part in the workshop series.
As a result of the workshops, important recommendations were developed to strengthen institutional quality assurance systems, integrate strategic objectives into operational processes, enhance institutional capacity for quality management, and promote the exchange of experience among universities. The workshops contributed significantly to the objectives of the QUARTZ project by supporting the modernization of quality assurance systems, introducing international best practices, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the higher education sector of Uzbekistan.
