The INTEGRITY Programme stands to be a national initiative of Georgian universities, implemented by the means of generous support and funding of the Erasmus+ CBHE Programme - SM pillar ‘Modernization of policies, governance and management of higher education systems’, presumably impacting the entire HE system. The rationale of this collaboration supported the provision of higher education with INTEGRITY through the core objective to enhance the quality of teaching and learning processes that are based on the principles of academic integrity, supported by policies, mechanisms and tools that help prevent and detect cases of plagiarism in higher education institutions in Georgia. Specific objectives implemented are as follows: 1. Introduction of plagiarism detection – Turnitin Feedback Studio in Georgian universities, acquiring licenses and integration into the existing Learning Management System(s).2. Design and launch of PR Campaign on Plagiarism in Georgian HEIs targeting both students and faculty/teaching staff.3. Development and delivery of capacity building training for faculty in Effective Teaching and Learning Assessment (TLA) with the focus on the principles of academic integrity.4. Development and enhancement of student academic support services outside the classroom to boost Academic & Writing Skills (academic writing centers/student services centers/volunteer senior student tutors/ library services).5. Review Academic Writing Curriculum against standards and requirements established in the EU- adopting modern standards established for academic communication to prevent plagiarism.6. Elaboration and passing of university policies that are conducive to quality teaching and learning processes based on the principles of academic integrity. The project covered the following key areas for intervention: 1. Quality of Teaching & Learning & Faculty Training; 2. Student Academic Support Services; 3. Academic Writing; 4. Institutional Policies and Mechanisms; 5. PR Campaign and Awareness Raising. The relevance of this initiative responded to these internal and external forces demanding the measures of academic integrity in Georgian academia. a) The external QA measures emphasizing regulation of Plagiarism; b) 'The Problem of Plagiarism and Its Perceptions in Georgia' (2016) research report; c) The national needs assessment of GE HEIs in December 2016 by ISU;d) EU HE Standards; c) The successful case of piloting Turnitin at ISU transferring knowledge to other partners. While delivering Education during COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, which created the largest disruption of education systems in history, affecting nearly 1.6 billion learners worldwide, including Georgia, the project became essentially relevant. In the emergency distance education, the project provided the tools (Turnitin) and resources (tailored training sessions) required for distance learning during university closures. The INTEGRITY consortium (14 Georgian HEIs, 2 government authorities, and 4 EU HEIs), has delivered a flagship SM project in Georgia with great achievement and added-value at the (a) individual (50,300 students informed, 20,703 students trained, engagement of 1260 lecturers via launching 60,000 Turnitin licenses/366,000 submitted papers in 2633 academic courses and introduction of new and updated 27 academic writing courses, enhancing assessment and digital skills of over 655 admin and 3061 academic staff, and training of 71 non-HEI individuals, (b) institutional (14+7 GE HEIs),(c) sector (transferable to the entire HE sector through dissemination program and gained experiences), and (d) society levels (changing perceptions and culture on academic integrity through dissemination reaching out to 17,516 participants).

HERD is a National SM initiative with the core objective to enhance the research capacity of Georgian HEIs through developing R&D units supported by professional development of research management mechanisms, skills and tools, evidence based policies & tech-transfer aiming to introduce technology and online national platforms, train admin staff and PhDs, contributing to Georgian R&I capacity nationally and internationally.Specific objectives are: 1. To introduce software online platform for Georgian HEIs R&D units facilitating planning, implementation and evaluation of R&D activities and KPIs. 2. Create an Online Georgian Research Portal accumulating and disseminating all public information on research activities, human resources and infrastructure of Geo HEIs and supporting inter- and intra- university collaboration nationally and internationally. 3. Upgrade the research management and data analysis skills of university admin staff in research management, analyzing institutional research data and providing ground for further forecasting and strategic planning. 4. Enhance the capacity of the target universities in respect to tech- transfer and university-industry collaboration. The relevance of this initiative are: a) Georgian HEIs are urged to respond to the national policies for R&I capacity building to provide high impact in socio-economic development of the countryb) Internationalization of R&D as mandatory feature after joining H2020 as associate memberc) New standards by quality assurance agency to develop evidence-based policies for R&D in Georgian HEIs and tracking the KPIsd) Georgian HEIs attempt to align their research management processes with EU standards.The HERD impact at the individual level [min 10 000 PhD students, 80 admin staff and 4 282 academics], institutional [12 GE HEIs] sector [transferable to the entire HE sector and research centers] and society level [supporting tech-transfer and innovation].

"Erasmus+ CBHE 2016-2019 Project ""ABC – Assisting Better Communication” has been implemented with the aim to enhance the profession of a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) in the participating countries (BiH, GE, and IL) through elaboration of quality courses and programs offered at different levels of higher and professional education.The ABC programme as designed and launched addressed the needs of the persons with communication and swallowing difficulties (nearly 90% of children having a risk of disabilities need SL therapy) and their families. ABC relevance is the SLT itself that is necessary for those who suffer from difficulties of communication and speech - include people with a wide range of disorders of the general communication and speech autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other chronic conditions. SL therapy is important for children having articulation and speech problems, crucial for persons with hearing impairment etc. Thus, SLT profession is a very important specialization, which assists people with special communicational needs.Over the past 10 years, the need for SLT service has become crucially evident and relevant due to the progressive awareness of communication, speech and language related disabilities in both children and adults. In most cases these clients are being served by persons with no qualification in SLT – they are from different related disciplines, such as linguistics, education and/or psychology, which cannot assure the quality of the SLT services. In response, the ABC programme allowed the development of modern European standards-based specialization in Communication and SLT that has responded to the increased needs of quality services in the participating countries. ABC initiative has delivered four objectives and its corresponding directions. These are:1.SLT Curricula Design and Development Through the joint effort, the project experts and participants ensured development and or enhancement of SLT curricula ensuring provision of modern trends related to the SLT field according to the international associations (CPLOL and others) of the Speech and Language Therapists’ competency framework for the profession. The SLT content development process covered the activities related to developing working groups, study visits and Training for Trainers (ToT), development of materials and activities for trainings, courses and program (thematic modules), and practical placements for professional advancement.2.SLT Curricula PilotSLT Curricula Pilot has been held at various levels of higher education. Each SLT thematic module respected the requirements of the corresponding level of education and the needs of the SLT learners. This was realized through co-teaching and visits of EU colleagues. The piloting has led to the mainstreaming and institutionalization measures of the newly designed and piloted modules in the University study plan with actions like certification and accreditations on the corresponding levels matching with the country specific regulations. Project results are embedded in and supported by the beneficiary institutions. As complementary, master’s degree student exchange component contributed to further enhance of professional skills.3.Application of modern teaching methodologyTo ensure application of modern teaching methodology has been one of the key objectives alongside of the essential component of the content design and piloting of the SLT modules.4.Dissemination of the SLT contemporary issuesDissemination of the contemporary issues to the broader public has been the core component for the improvement on the SLT service provision level. In addition, to strengthen the SLT field, Professional Ethics and Standards were introduced in Georgia. The Final International Conference and open-lectures for specialists and parents, short videos, media activities further contributed to joint undressing on SLT in regional countries."