The 3-year SMHES project intends to prepare a survey of methodologies applied in the three partner countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan) in order to assess the level of convergence in evaluation methods and procedures even if quality accreditation and assurance still varies in many respects, as well as to create groups of experts on internal and external QA. Within the project 3 Quality Assurance Agencies (in each PC) will be established. Further project objectives comprise the development of a register of information on Central Asian accreditation systems and measures and the development of academic recognition information centres within the planned QA centres. The specific objectives are: "Develop a Central Asian Network of agencies for quality accreditation and assuranceIntroduce a set of standards, tools and guidelines in higher education institutions for external and internal quality assuranceDevelopment of a register of information on Central Asian accreditation systems and measuresDevelopment of Academic Recognition Information Centers within the accreditation agencies"