STUDENT'S ROLE IN INTERNAL QUALITY ASSURANCE (IQA) (ON THE EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES OF GEORGIA)

Abstract

One of the fundamental issues of higher education is the engagement of students in the process of internal quality assurance of education. Using the example of one of the private higher educational institutions of Georgia, the article studies the factors of student involvement in internal quality assurance, the main problems and the attitude of students and institutions to this process.

Qualitative and quantitative methods were used in the research. Qualitative research was conducted with representatives of European student unions and private university quality assurance services, while quantitative research included students from a target private higher education institution. The paper is based on the Bologna processes, which led to significant changes in the internal quality assurance in higher education institutions in the part of student engagement. Based on the Bologna processes, it can be said that the role of the student, his views and evaluations are of fundamental importance in the formation of the higher education system of Georgia. The research process made visible the problems and challenges related to the involvement of students in internal quality assurance in higher education institutions. Based on the results of the research, recommendations were developed that would help higher education institutions to improve student participation and involvement in internal quality assurance.