Ակադեմիական փոխճանաչման և շարժունության ազգային տեղեկատվական կենտրոն

Overview

The National Information Center for Academic Recognition and Mobility (NICARM, ԱՓՇԱՏԿ in Armenian) is the official Armenian ENIC‑NARIC centre. Established to support cross‑border recognition of qualifications, it provides authoritative guidance to students, academic institutions, employers and relevant stakeholders about foreign credentials and study periods. According to uniRank, NICARM was founded in 2003 and plays a crucial role in facilitating mobility in Armenian higher education.

Historical and Legal Framework

Armenia ratified the Lisbon Recognition Convention in 1997 and joined the Bologna Process in 2005. As a consequence, NICARM was formally established by government decision in 2005 (some sources note founding activity in 2003) as the designated national centre responsible for academic recognition and mobility based on these legal commitments. The centre operates under the mandate of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport (MESCS) as part of Armenia’s alignment with European standards.

Mission, Vision and Objectives

Mission: To ensure fair, transparent and consistent evaluation of foreign qualifications in accordance with the Lisbon Convention and national legislation.

Vision: To enable Armenian students and professionals to access global educational and labour mobility, and to make Armenia a reliable partner in international recognition networks.

Objectives:

• Provide expert evaluation of foreign diplomas, degrees and learning periods.
• Support Armenian higher education institutions in interpreting foreign credentials.
• Assist individuals—including refugees—with incomplete or non‑traditional documentation.
• Promote mobility and international cooperation through participation in ENIC/NARIC networks.

Governance, Structure and Independence

As a non‑profit foundation, NICARM operates under the oversight of MESCS and the Higher Education and Science Committee. It is led by a General Director (currently Gayane Harutyunyan) and maintains a small professional team (up to about 15 employees). While aligned with national policy frameworks, it functions as an independent expert body offering advisory services rather than regulatory powers.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation

NICARM is not itself an accreditation authority. Instead, it provides evaluation and advisory services to support academic recognition decisions. Higher education institutions (HEIs) maintain autonomy in admitting students and recognising foreign credits or degrees. In its role, NICARM issues advisory statements or “letters of guarantee” on foreign qualifications, which HEIs consider when making admission or credit‑transfer decisions.

The centre also offers guidance aligned with Bologna Process tools, such as the Diploma Supplement and ECTS, enhancing consistent quality evaluation across institutions.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

NICARM is a full member of the Council of Europe & UNESCO ENIC Network and cooperating with the EU's NARIC system. It contributes to projects such as QUATREC‑2 and NACAR, collaborating with partners in Europe—especially with Armenian and Norwegian HEIs and agencies. It also participates in initiatives focused on micro‑credentials, digital diploma supplements, and recognition of refugees’ qualifications (e.g. EQPR and NATREC‑RQ).

Notably, NICARM coordinated the Council of Europe–supported NATREC‑RQ project, culminating in practical national guidelines and training in late 2024 to improve recognition procedures for displaced individuals with incomplete documentation.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

• Supports Armenian students and professionals seeking to study or work abroad with officially recognised documentation.
• Strengthens HEI admission and mobility policies through expert advisory.
• Enhances inclusion by formal recognition procedures for refugees and displaced persons.
• Contributes to national alignment with European Higher Education Area and modern credential frameworks, such as micro‑credentials and diploma supplements.
• Through international projects and cooperation, increasingly extends Armenia’s institutional capacity in recognition processes.

Summary

The National Information Center for Academic Recognition and Mobility (NICARM / ԱՓՇԱՏԿ) is Armenia’s designated ENIC‑NARIC body, established following Armenia’s ratification of the Lisbon Convention and accession to the Bologna Process. Based on uniRank research, it was founded in 2003/2005 and operates under the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport with functional independence. NICARM provides expert guidance on foreign qualifications for students, HEIs and employers; facilitates institutional alignment with European recognition frameworks; contributes to inclusion of refugees and the broader mobility agenda; and actively participates in international recognition networks and projects.

FAQs

1. What is NICARM?
   The National Information Center for Academic Recognition and Mobility is Armenia’s ENIC‑NARIC centre, offering official guidance on recognition of foreign qualifications.
2. How do I apply for academic recognition?
   Applicants submit their international diploma and study documents to NICARM, which evaluates and prepares a recognition advisory. The final recognition decision rests with the Armenian HEI where the student wishes to continue education.
3. Is NICARM an accreditation agency?
   No. Accreditation and quality assurance are handled by other bodies (e.g. ANQA in Armenia). NICARM provides evaluation and advisory statements, not formal accreditation.
4. Does NICARM recognise refugee qualifications?
   Yes. Since 2017, Armenia participates in the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees (EQPR); through NICARM and related projects like NATREC‑RQ, refugees with incomplete documentation can receive recognition support.
5. Which international networks is NICARM part of?
   NICARM is a member of the ENIC-NARIC network (Council of Europe/UNESCO and the EU network), and participates in European projects such as QUATREC‑2 and NATREC‑RQ.
6. Who oversees NICARM?
   NICARM is overseen by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport and the Higher Education and Science Committee. It operates independently as an expert advisory body.

Organization Name

Ակադեմիական փոխճանաչման և շարժունության ազգային տեղեկատվական կենտրոն

National Information Center for Academic Recognition and Mobility

Acronym

NICARM
ԱՓՇԱՏԿ

Year of Establishment

2003

Control Type

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

27 Amiryan Street, Office № 11, 12
Yerevan
0002 Yerevan Armenia

Phone

+374 10 53 09 04

Fax

+374 10 53 09 04

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

Not available

X (Twitter)

National Information Center for Academic Recognition and Mobility's X page

LinkedIn

Not available

YouTube

Not available

Instagram

Not available

Wikipedia Article

Not available

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