Abstract:

Georgia, a multinational country with unique cultural heritage, now faces a number of crucial challenges, such as, democratization, globalization, and shift to western political and socio-cultural values. In the 1990s, Georgian ministry of Education and the Cabinet of Ministers started cooperation with international organizations harmonizing the Georgian education system with the European standards. On May 19, 2005 Georgia joined the Bologna Process and has undertaken the responsibility to support main principles of the Bologna Declaration directed towards internationalization of university education. The restructuring schemes regarding international standards of education should be carefully considered and critically evaluated until they are implemented in our education system. Georgian universities are still in the process of change demanded by new system of licensing and accreditation set up in compliance with Bologna Process demands. Also, the academic programs, quality management, academic credit system, and examination and assessment norms are currently in the process of realignment with European standards. The present article presents the results of critical evaluation of the change process going on in the universities and colleges of Georgia. The study, which was conducted in both- state and private institutions, aims to reveal different aspects of the reforms. What problems do Georgian universities face in the process of transformation? What positive results have the Universities had so far? How strict are the requirements of the Ministry of Education in terms of changes? How much academic freedom do universities enjoy today? What is the attitude of the university administration, staff, and the students towards on-going processes? To address those problems, the education specialists, lecturers and students have been interviewed and a survey has been conducted. According to the study results most respondents think that higher education reforms should be based on the country’s century-old traditions, considering nation’s mentality, culture and experience. International Black Sea University is among the best universities in Georgia. For the last decade the University has made a fast progress to achieve high quality education, it is successfully carrying out reforms and has a flexible implementation strategy, so that the unique culture, traditions, ethics and moral approaches of the institute have not been affected negatively by the reforms. Sharing of the results of the IBSU –based study regarding reform implementation and results under Bologna Process will be interesting for the wide scientific society. One of the findings of the research is that the policy and culture of the university plays a key role in the decisions taken in the restructuring process enhancing the quality of change. Reforming process is rather controversial, long and painful. It has to be worked out in all four areas: rational, social-interactional, psychological and political. Contemporary world more than ever needs restoration of morality of education, culture, traditions which can be achieved through dialogue among nations sharing moral and ethical values. Globalization, technological advances, mobility of the society and rapidly changing society models have made the world more dynamic where the people need high quality education responsive to international standards, more academic freedom and wider opportunities for employment.

Keywords:

Higher education, Georgia, reforms, Bologna Process, realignment with international standards, university, changes.