The Measurement of Innovation in Higher Education System in Armenia: Challenges and Measurement Indicators
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Contemporary geopolitical transformations and accelerated technological advancements with rapid evolution of artificial intelligence are fundamentally reshaping the global knowledge economy, competitiveness of economies, and labor market dynamics, thereby generating new demands and requirements regarding the structure, content, relevance, strategic trajectory, and quality of higher education systems. Considering these transformational developments, the Government of the Republic of Armenia has placed growing strategic emphasis on innovation-led economic development, positioning higher education institutions (HEIs) as key drivers and strategic enablers of societal transformation, technological modernization, and disruptive educational innovation. Consequently, strategically aligned implementation of innovation-oriented policies, systematically integrated higher education governance frameworks and mechanisms, and effective transformation processes at both the higher education system and institutional levels is elemental for strengthening the competitiveness of the higher education sector and advancing the long-term development of the knowledge economy in Armenia. However, effectively measuring innovation outcomes currently encompasses complex and critical challenges in Armenia that require a robust outcome-based evaluation framework with well-defined measurement indicators and processes in place. The objective of this article is to identify the challenges in the measurement of innovation in the RA higher education system, addressing gaps and inconsistencies in data-driven policymaking, as well as to propose a list of indicators of innovation measurement. By developing and executing a robust evaluation framework of innovation measurement underpinned by key performance indicators (KPIs), the article offers a comprehensive approach to evaluating research impact, technology transfer, and industry-academic collaboration. Furthermore, this article might serve as a foundation for developing a framework to strengthen the RA higher education system and innovation ecosystem by leveraging evidence-based evaluation and measurement of innovation and research.
Authors: ARPINE GEVORGYAN, ROBERT KHACHATRYAN
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7204486901