Meetings
From November 4 -8, 2024, the closing conference for participants of the Erasmus+ program “Supporting the Recognition of Qualifications for Ukrainian Universities” (QUARSU) took place at the Tallinn University of Applied Sciences (TTK University of Applied Sciences | Tallinna Tehnikakõrgkool) in Tallinn, Estonia.
During the five-day event, representatives from Ukrainian partner organizations (National University "Odessa Maritime Academy," Mariupol State University, Kherson National Technical University, Sumy State University, National Forestry University of Ukraine, the Federation of Employers of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine) participated in seminars with members of the Estonian educational community, including:
- an introductory seminar from TTK University of Applied Sciences Rector Enno Lend and Odessa Maritime Academy Vice-Rector Vadym Zakharchenko;
- a session with Margus Haidak, Head of the Higher Education, Vocational Education Policy, and Lifelong Learning Department of the Ministry of Education and Research, to gain insights into Estonia’s higher education system;
- an overview of organizational and management aspects of research activities led by TTK’s Vice-Rector Tarmo Sildeberg, along with a tour of the university’s laboratories, guided by Kaido Kokk, Head of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship;
- an introduction to TTK’s quality management system, presented by Merle Varendi, Head of the Student Administration and Quality Management Department, and an explanation of personnel selection, academic career models by Elo Viljus, a leading HR specialist at TTK;
- a presentation by TTK Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Martti Kiisa on teaching methods, the learning process, digital educational and administrative platforms, and the educational information system;
- an explanation of the institutional accreditation process for Estonian higher education institutions by Lia Lauri from the Estonian Education Quality Agency;
- and an in-depth session on Estonia’s professional qualification system delivered by Olav Aarna, a scientist, politician, and former rector of Estonian universities, at the final seminar of the conference.
The final stage of the visit included the completion of the guidelines for qualification recognition, discussion of a support platform for recognition procedures and recognition of prior learning (RPL) courses, and the creation of a Ukrainian network for the recognition of prior learning.
On November 7, 2024, project participants signed the Declaration on the Establishment of the Ukrainian Network for Recognition of Prior Learning and approved the Charter of the Ukrainian Network for Recognition of Prior Learning, which sets forth the required terms of cooperation for partners.
More at the link: Erasmus+ QUARSU Project | Tallinna Tehnikakõrgkool, Estonia | YouTube