The contribution of Latvia to policy dialogue and ... · Latvia and Central Asia: other cooperation formats 7 143 266 327 358 306 4 10 8 13 18 24 20 23 47 33 3 4 7 366 625 874 1057

The contribution of Latvia

to policy dialogue and supporting reforms in education

2019

Maija ZvirbuleCounsellor for Education, Youth, Sports

Latvia and Central Asia

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Central Asian region is high on the Latvia’s foreign priority list

Since Latvia’s Presidency in the EU Council in 2015, the Central Asian region has been kept in the constant focus of the EU’s political attention

Education should be one of the main priorities in EU and Central Asia cooperation and the new EU Strategy for Central Asia:

An open approach to education can provide opportunities for contributing to peace and stability and building connections within the region and outside it

Involvement in the Central Asia Education Platform (CAEP)

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3 events in Riga:

• First European Union and Central Asia Education Ministers' Meeting (25-26 June 2015 )

• Regional conference „Qualification Frameworks in Central Asian Countries: Current Developments and Cooperation Perspectives” (20-22 April 2016)

• Seminar „Peer Learning on National Qualification Frameworks 3rd and conclusive Meeting” (18-19 September 2017)

Support to CAEP since 2014Since 2015, Latvia (together with Poland) has been the leading EU country within CAEP

Experts from Latvia in almost all CAEP events (in person and webinars)

Participation in developing content

Latvia and Central Asia: CAEP and beyond

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Academic Information

Centre

State Education Quality Service

State Education Development

Agency

Regular expert consultations and exchange of experience with the countries of Central Asia

Both vocational education and training and higher education

Framework:

• Central Asia Education Platform

• international education projects

• bilaterally

Higher education institutions

VET institutions

Ministry of

Education and

Science

Involvement of different stakeholders at different levels is essential for a successful dialogue

Sharing policy reform experience with CA

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cooperation with

employers

quality assurance of HE and

VET

qualifications frameworks

sectoral qualifications

structure

graduate tracking

career support

Main education policy reforms in Latvia 2014-2020

Topics addressed by Latvian experts in recent CAEP events

Main education policy reforms in Latvia 2014-2020

Latvia and Central Asia:other cooperation formats

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In 2018, MoES applied for a development cooperation project with MFA funding for cooperation with CA countries:- Initially 10 000 EUR- 3 activities- Similar project planned for 2019

Expert visit from Kyrgyzstan

in October 2018Bilateral meeting with Uzbekistan

in December 2018

Baltic and Central Asian Countries’ Forum

for the Development of Higher Education

in December 2018 and bilateral meetings

Concluded bilateral

agreements with all CA

countries.

Latvia and Central Asia:other cooperation formats

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143

266

327

358

306

4 10 8 13 1824 20 23

4733

3 4 7 7 7

366

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874

1057

1116

CA students in Latvia

Kazakstan

Kyrgyzstan

Tajikistan

Turkmenistan

Uzbekistan

Erasmus+ International Mobility:

second most popular target region

Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education in CA:

1. European Dimension in Qualifications for the Tourist Sector with

Kyrgystan (eurdiq.eu/en/)

2. Internationalisation and Modernisation of Education and

Processes in the Higher Education of Uzbekistan (imep.bimm.uz/)

3. Higher Education for Central Asia Food Systems and Standards

with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan (www.namsb.tj/en/hecafs)

4. Piloting ECVET to the national VET system of Russia and

Uzbekistan (www.ruecvet.uz/en/)

CA colleagues invited to

Baltic Info Days

in 2012, 2014 and 2016

Uzbekistan Kazakhstan Tajikistan Kyrgyzstan Turkmenistan

State scholarships for

2018/2019: applications

vs granted scholarships

for studies

Observations on CAEP and proposals for the way forward

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Observations

Countries on both sides have become more open to a mutual dialogue

Many new contacts established for further collaboration – both between EU and CA and CA among themselves

Important to share both successful reform experiences, but also mistakes made

CAEP activities provided effective response to the needs of education sectors in CA countries

Suggestions

Cooperation and exchange of experience should be promoted between different stakeholders, incl. social partners, and at different levels for wider outreach

Cooperation would benefit from a more pro-active approach on behalf of stakeholders

Thematic scope of CAEP is adequate, but many topics would benefit from a more in-depth analysis and discussions or in some cases – country specific approaches

Wider EU participation in the EU and CA cooperation

CAEP should continue without a big gap in between

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Thank you!

Maija ZvirbuleCounsellor for Education, Youth, Sports

Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia

E: [email protected] T: +371 67047896

www.izm.gov.lv