Changes in College Licensing Regulations: Details

At a government meeting, Minister of Education and Science Zhanna Andreasian presented a project concerning changes to the licensing regulations pertaining to vocational education and training. The aim of these changes is to enhance the effectiveness of the sector and ensure compliance with modern requirements.

“We are making several important changes to the college licensing process. The first significant change is that we now differentiate the forms of licensing. Until now, the approach was that the same license encompassed both the permission to operate and the implementation of specific qualification programs. Now, the licensing regulations will establish two distinct types: one regarding permission for educational activities, and the other for educational programs awarding specific qualifications,” Andreasian stated.

She also added that the second type of license will include strict content requirements; it will be considered, for example, whether there is an appropriate teaching staff and necessary conditions for implementing the educational program with that qualification.

“There will also be flexibility aimed at reducing the proportion of permanent staff. Specifically, this threshold is set at 30 percent, which will allow colleges to engage practical specialists already working in the field, enabling them to pass on their experience and skills. This is a very important change, as specialists working for employers will be able to participate simultaneously in the practical component of teaching,” she noted.

The changes also clarify the minimum conditions that must be met for licensing, ranging from educational and production spaces to the compliance of laboratory facilities.