The Bologna Process and Georgian Higher Education: Advances in Academic Social Responsibility

Abstract

This article examines Georgia’s integration into the Bologna Process, focusing on academic social responsibility (ASR). Utilizing qualitative methods, including document analysis and 30 in-depth interviews, the study assesses the evolution of higher education, alignment with Bologna standards, and external quality assurance. Findings reveal postintegration improvements, including university closures, fairer examinations, and modernized literature. Challenges include European standard implementation and perceived academic freedom encroachments. Overall, the Bologna Process positively influences Georgia’s education system, fostering organizational improvements and successful assimilation within the broader European educational context.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Austria, Belgium (Flemish and Walloon Communities separately), Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom.

Additional information

Funding

This research [PHDF-22-1430] has been supported by Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia (SRNSFG).

Notes on contributors

Ana Papiashvili

Ana Papiashvili has an MA in sociology and a PhD in sociology from Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia. She is a researcher-analyst in a research organization called the Institute of Social Studies and Analysis (ISSA). Additionally, she is an invited lecturer at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) and Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA). She is the author/co-author of several publications and research papers/articles commissioned by WHO/UNICEF, UNFPA, and the Social Justice Center. Additionally, she has published several articles in the student scientific journal of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of Tbilisi State University. Her current research project is about discussing and analyzing the normative, ethical, and practical ways of implementing academic social responsibility in the Georgian higher education area.