C3QA (Promoting internationalization of research through establishment and operationalization of Cycle 3 Quality Assurance System in line with the European Integration Agenda) is a three-year cross-regional and multi-partner structural project under EAC/A04/2015 call and Key Action 2 - Capacity Building in the Field of Higher Education. Its wider objective is to contribute to the establishment of a knowledge-based society in Armenia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Mongolia through the launch and operationalization of a robust quality assurance system for internationalization of Cycle 3 programs. The specific objectives are: - To develop/update national policy frameworks for cycle 3 programs in line with the European integration agenda;- To build on the capacity of the systems to efficiently operationalize the internal and external quality assurance systems for Cycle 3 programs; - To establish an external and internal quality assurance systems to promote quality of Cycle 3 programs; - To promote internationalization of Cycle 3 programs with joint efforts of the key stakeholders and cross-regional cooperation.The principle outcomes and outputs are: - National policy frameworks on EQA of Cycle 3 programs adopted in the partner countries; - External and internal quality assurance systems for Cycle 3 programs implemented in line with European integration agenda; - Cycle 3 programs accredited by respective EQA bodies; - Cycle 3 programs contribute to the development of knowledge-based society;- The results of Cycle 3 programs are aligned with international best practice and contribute to research internationalization; - Cross-regional cooperation leads to convergence in line with European developments. The cross-regional nature of the project ensures learning from existing practices, successful experience exchange, long-standing cooperation between the 4 partner country and EU partners – with a major aim of promoting voluntary convergence with EU developments.

The situation with the unemployment of the Mongolian youth showcases that there are major difficulties for the university graduates in their transition from education to work. The MONGWBL project addresses an urgent need to enhance partnership between enterprises and higher education institutions (HEIs)and increase graduates’ employability through development and implementation of supporting national strategy, appropriate legal framework on work-based learning (WBL) and flexible apprenticeship model in Mongolia.The following project outputs/outcomes are expected:- National Strategy for development of WBL in Mongolia, - Flexible Apprenticeship Model (FAM) including practical implementation tools: one year Undergraduate Apprenticeship based Programme in Banking & insurance (UAPBI) and Undergraduate Apprenticeship based Programme in Tourism (UAPT) inspired by European experiences.- Amendments of national legislation in Mongolia needed for implementation of FAM.- University-enterprise partnership innovative schemes through the pilot implementation of the FAM.- Network for long-term cooperation between HEIs from Mongolia and programme countries.The expected impact is foreseen on:- Teaching staff and career centres staff’s skill improved,- long-term strong network with enterprises for integrating knowledge and experience-based learning created, - Graduates employability increased in institutional level,- HEIs and enterprises partnership reinforced, the establishment of new apprenticeship and WBL schemes promoted, - Skills matching and better employability of university graduates in national level,- Long-term cooperation between the involved partners promoted leading to convergence in line with EU developments and standards towards fostering the integration of the HEIs in European level.