On September 17-18, 2024, a meeting of Thematic Group A (TPG A) took place in Riga, Latvia, as part of the «Qualifications Frameworks for Trust, Transparency and Diversity» (QUATRA – TPG A) project. The main goal of the event was to discuss and adopt three strategically important recommendations aimed at improving the qualification frameworks within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). These recommendations include: (1) Recommendations on self-assessment and certification aimed at strengthening transparency and trust in the qualification recognition process at the international level. (2) Guidelines for developing short-cycle educational programs that enable students to quickly adapt to labor market conditions while providing opportunities for further education and higher qualifications. (3) Recommendations for the implementation of micro-credentials, which will ensure the flexibility of educational programs, allowing them to respond swiftly to the changing needs of professional sectors while maintaining international recognition and high-quality standards.

Participants also discussed the national action plans of countries including Georgia, Kazakhstan, Malta, and Scotland, on the development and implementation of these recommendations, and outlined further steps to strengthen international cooperation in the field of education.

The Kazakh delegation was represented by Acting Director of the National Center for the Development of Qualifications, Alibek Sergazyevich Madibekov, and Advisor to the Director Amantai Abilkhaerovich Nurmagambetov. In his speech, A.S. Madibekov presented Kazakhstan's experience in developing and implementing short-cycle programs (applied bachelor’s degrees) and the use of micro-credentials in the educational process. The presentation highlighted the results of a pilot project on the implementation of applied bachelor’s degrees and recommendations on integrating micro-credentials into educational programs, including their development, implementation, and evaluation. Kazakhstan's active participation in international educational cooperation was particularly emphasized, as it facilitates the exchange of best practices and strengthens the country's integration into the global education system.

The TPG A working group meeting marked a significant step toward creating more flexible and transparent educational systems capable of adapting to changes in the global labor market and addressing modern challenges in education.