Georgia's Higher Education Quality Agency Is Back on the EQAR Register: Registration Valid Until April 2029

The European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR) has renewed the registration of Georgia's National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE), the agency that authorises universities and accredits study programmes in the country. The EQAR Registration Committee decided on 22 September 2026, and the Ministry of Education of Georgia announced it on 6 October.

According to the register, the registration is valid until 30 April 2029. EQAR lists quality assurance agencies that work in line with the European Standards and Guidelines for higher education, known as ESG 2015.

How the centre returned to the register

On 27 November 2024 EQAR refused to renew the centre's registration. The centre then applied for a targeted review by the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA), and international experts visited Georgia on 9-11 February 2026.

On 30 June 2026 the ENQA Agency Review Committee found the centre fully compliant with ESG 2015, the NCEQE reported. The EQAR decision of 22 September was based on that review.

Who this concerns

The decision matters for foreign students at universities in Georgia and for graduates who plan to work or study further abroad. When the registration was not renewed in 2024, JAMnews wrote that recognition of credits and diplomas of Georgian graduates abroad, especially in the EU, could become harder.

According to the ministry, EQAR confirmed that the centre and the quality assurance system in Georgia meet European standards. The announcement does not mention any steps for students or graduates. The centre publishes the lists of authorised universities and accredited programmes on eqe.ge.

Recognition of foreign documents

The same centre recognises education received abroad, including school certificates of children who move to Georgia with their families. Foreign diplomas and certificates for this procedure are usually submitted with an apostille or legalization for Georgia.

The decision has been taken and already appears in the EQAR register. The registration runs until 30 April 2029.