On 31 October 2024, the final conference of the project “Enhancing National Mechanisms of Recognition of Refugees’ Qualifications (NATREC-RQ) was held in Yerevan, Armenia. 

This project, supported by the Council of Europe through the ENIC grants scheme, was coordinated by the National Information Centre for Academic Recognition and Mobility of Armenia (ArmENIC) in cooperation with the representatives from the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia, Yerevan State University, the National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia as well as an international expert. 

Over the years, ArmENIC has witnessed increased numbers of persons lacking full documentation of their qualifications due to displacement, conflict or other reasons related to migration. 

Since 2017, ArmENIC is one of the 23 countries that have been actively participating in the Council of Europe European Qualifications Passport for Refugees (EQPR), facilitating the recognition of refugees’ qualifications and language skills even when documentation is incomplete or lacking. The passport aims to enable EQPR holders to continue their studies and work in any European country.

To further enhance this work, within the framework of the NATREC-RQ project the “Practical Guidelines for Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications for Higher Education Institutions in Armenia” manual was developed and presented at the final event. The conference was followed by training developed for staff of international departments and Armenian HEIs admissions. The training presented the methodology of the recognition of refugees’ qualifications, thus promoting better institutional procedures for the recognition of refugees’ qualifications. 

In sum, the NATREQ-RQ project has been an invaluable asset for the Armenian HEIs in establishing a more streamlined approach to the recognition of refugees’ qualifications and facilitate integration by enhancing educational and employment opportunities.