Anti-corruption reforms in Armenia - Fourth round of monitoring of the Istanbul Anti-Corruption Action Plan - Chapter 4. Prevention and prosecution of corruption in a selected sector higher education

The analysis in this chapter relies on the monitoring methodology of the fourth round of the IAP monitoring and on insights gained from assessments of integrity of education systems (INTES), carried out in other countries-members of the ACN since 2010 with the help of a methodology developed in the context of ACN with the OECD Directorate for Education and Skills and the Center for Applied Policy and Integrity (Bulgaria).

The first section of this chapter provides an overview of higher education in Armenia and discusses the prevalence of corruption and corruption risks in the sector. The second section reflects on the anti-corruption priorities for higher education – on their focus and implementation, as well as on the participation of civil society and other stakeholders in shaping the way ahead. The third section highlights issues of significance for effective prevention of corruption, such as integrity of staff in higher education, the effectiveness of mechanisms for compliance and quality assurance, the transparency and accountability of academic operations, and the availability and focus of measures to raise awareness and educate the public. The fourth section of this chapter looks into matters of enforcement. It discusses the applicability of anti-corruption legislation to higher education and provides an overview of criminal, administrative, and disciplinary liability for corruption and integrity-related violations in the sector, and the effectiveness of enforcement. The fifth and final section formulates recommendations for improvement.