The many faces of research assessment: Case of independent Georgia

Abstract

The following paper investigates research assessment practices in Georgia, where due to the Soviet legacy, the university-based research is a relatively new phenomenon. Nowadays, research performance evaluation has become a challenge for the system. Research assessment in Georgia is fragmented, inefficient and ineffective: on the one hand, universities and research organizations are required to submit an annual report on their scientific activities to the Georgian National Academy of Sciences (GNAS), which resembles the administrative reporting and on the other hand, the National Centre for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE) is responsible for research assessment in terms of External Quality assurance mechanisms, which is an extensive measure for the external QA of the entire institution. For the further development of Georgian research performance evaluation system, experiences of other post-Soviet countries: Estonia and Lithuania, could be considered. In both countries, research performance evaluation is organized by the Research Councils. Since the GNAS operates as a symbolic reputational organization in Georgia, research performance assessment should be organized by the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia or/and the National Educational Centre of Quality Enhancement.