Quality assurance represents internal and external procedures, processes and systems used to safeguard and improve the quality. Quality enhancement implies to the methods of continuous improvement.
In Georgian Technical University quality assurance and enhancement means a coherent design of the procedures, processes and systems used to manage and improve the quality of education and other activities.
The goals of the University’s quality strategy are:
,,Quality assurance system'' is the term used to describe the overall framework and the various elements and processes involved in quality improvement at the University.
The system realize process involving four key interrelated elements - Planning, Implementing, Reviewing, and Improving (PIRI).
The system operates within the context of the University's Mission, policy framework, and legal and other external obligations.
There are internal and external education quality assurance mechanisms.
External mechanisms for educational quality assurance are - authorization and accreditation, which is carried out by the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement.
Internal mechanisms for education quality assurance are carried out by the educational institutions
Higher education institutions in Georgia are required by law to work in compliance with the internal and external quality assurance standards. Nowadays, Georgia’s system of external quality assurance comprises of institutional authorization and programme accreditation, while internal quality has functions on both institutional and programme levels to ensure the continuous evaluation and development of the quality of teaching, learning and research processes, professional development of staff and quality of the services and facilities provided by the institution.
Authorization of HEIs is an external mechanism of higher education quality assurance, which is carried out by the NCEQE. Authorization is an institutional evaluation, which determines compliance of an institution with the authorization standards. The evaluation process is carried out by expert panel and is based on the analysis of the information provided in the self-evaluation report (SER) of the institution and collected during the site-visit. Authorization is obligatory for all HEIs in order to be allowed to carry out educational activities and issue a diploma that is recognized by the state.
Accreditation of higher education programmes is an external mechanism of higher education quality assurance, which is carried out by the NCEQE. Accreditation is a programme evaluation, which determines compliance of a programme with the accreditation standards. The evaluation is carried out by the accreditation experts’ panel and is based on the analysis of the information indicated in the self-evaluation report of the programme and collected during the experts‘ site-visit. Accreditation is obligatory for regulated professions (Medicine, Law, Teacher Education, Maritime Education, Veterinary) and doctoral programmes. It is not obligatory to be accredited for the rest of the programmes. However, higher education programme have to be accredited in order to be eligible for national grants.