RE-GRAD: four sectoral Qualifications Frameworks approved in Armenia

Wednesday 4 November 2026

The transition towards a greener and more sustainable development model is transforming the labour market, giving rise to new professional requirements and skills. Against this backdrop, higher education plays a central role in preparing the younger generations to tackle the challenges of sustainability, through study programmes that are in line with the transformations currently taking place.

In Armenia and Moldova, this challenge translates into the need to innovate university programmes, update learning outcomes and strengthen qualification systems, whilst integrating the principles of sustainable development into higher education.

It is within this context that RE-GRAD – Reforming Undergraduate Education for Green and Sustainable Development in Armenia and Moldova – comes into play; an initiative that supports the renewal of university education in both countries, promoting education that is more focused on sustainability and the skills required by the world of work.

An important RE-GRAD result

The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia has officially approved four Sectoral Qualifications Frameworks in the fields of Management, Biology, Construction and Geomatics, marking a significant milestone for RE-GRAD.

The development and adoption of these frameworks are among RE-GRAD’s objectives, alongside the review and piloting of certain degree programmes, with the aim of contributing to the modernisation of higher education.

The Sectoral Qualifications Frameworks define the knowledge, skills and learning outcomes expected in various professional fields, providing universities with a reference point for updating their study programmes and making them more responsive to the needs of the labour market.

In a context where the green transition is transforming productive sectors and the skills required, these tools are particularly important for preparing future generations of professionals to tackle the challenges of sustainability.

The approval of the four frameworks therefore represents a significant achievement, even in the long term. Their recognition at national level lays the foundations for the ongoing updating of university education provision in Armenia, fostering a stronger link between higher education, professional skills and sustainable development.

From European cooperation to national impact

Collaboration between Armenian and Moldovan institutions, national authorities and European partners has enabled RE-GRAD to strengthen local expertise and promote the integration of sustainability and digitalisation into higher education programmes.

A significant achievement was also made in Moldova: in January 2026, the Concept for the Integration of the Sustainable Development Goals into Higher Education Programmes was officially approved, a tool designed to promote a greater focus on sustainability in university education.

The results achieved in Armenia and Moldova highlight the value of international cooperation in supporting higher education that is more responsive to environmental and social challenges, through initiatives involving both individual study programmes and the university system as a whole.

For RE-GRAD, the approval of the four Armenian frameworks is an important step towards ensuring that the competences developed through the project can continue to support higher education reform beyond its lifetime.

Interested in developing a similar CBHE project and exploring how international cooperation could support higher education reform in your country? Contact CESIE at research@cesie.org to discuss your ideas and potential opportunities for collaboration.