vilnius pres gintaras steponavičius

Higher Education Reform in Lithuania: Autonomy and Responsibility

Gintaras Steponavičius Minister of Education and Science

IAU 2010 International Conference IAU 2010 International Conference ““Ethics and Values in Higher Education in the Era of GlobalizatioEthics and Values in Higher Education in the Era of Globalization: What Role n: What Role for the Disciplines?for the Disciplines?24-26 June, Vilnius

Lithuania HE system in figures

HE institutions (HEIs) & students

1999/2000 2007/2008 2008/2009 2009/2010

Universities + Colleges 16 49 49 46

Total number of students 84 345 204 432 210 400 201

000

Number of HEIs in 2009/2010:

State Private

Universities 15 8

Colleges 13 10

29%

71%

University studentsCollege students

Distribution of students by the type of

HEI’s in 2009:

Global competition among universities;

A change from elite to mass higher education;

Arrival of EU financial assistance for modernization needs and emerging opportunities;

Current economic challenges – increase productivity, find new and retain existing markets, adapt to modern global economy, be creative and dynamic.

Global context for the need to modernize

Major principles of the reform

1.

Competition and market principles;

2.

Systematic approach;

3.

Empowering students and HE institutions;

4.

Modern management in HEI’s;

5.

Real autonomy and accountability;

6.

Transparent and effective system of accreditation;

7.

Non‐discriminatory treatment and inclusion of private HEI’s;

8.

State funding allocated mainly on the basis of excellence.

The principle of the reform:

More autonomy, initiative and responsibility

Major Goals of the Reform

Accessibility. Accessibility. Favorable conditions to all who want Favorable conditions to all who want and are able to pursue studiesand are able to pursue studies..

Quality. Quality. To create conditions and incentives To create conditions and incentives necessary for the substantial improvement in HE necessary for the substantial improvement in HE

qualityquality..

Competitiveness.Competitiveness.

State funding for the best State funding for the best students and researchers. students and researchers.

Efficient use of resourcesEfficient use of resources..

Impetus for the rising Impetus for the rising prosperity of the countryprosperity of the country..

Reform of Higher education and research system

New Law on Higher Education and Research

30‐04‐2009:

Higher (Tertiary) Education

Competitive funding of HE (Students’ vouchers);

Institutional reform of universities and colleges;

External institutional evaluation;

Office for Academic Ethics and Procedures is being established

–

This will be a new institution that will deal with complaints of applicants and investigate actions of natural persons and legal bodies

that infringe principles of academic integrity, academic freedom, fair assessment of research works, equal rights to take part in

competitions, ethical intercourse.

http://www3.lrs.lt/pls/inter3/dokpaieska.showdoc_l?p_id=366717

Reform of Higher education and research system

New Law on Higher Education and Research

30‐04‐2009:

Research, Technologies & Innovation

Programme based competitive research funding;

Institutional reform of research institutes;

Intellectual rights protection;

Science Council reformed into Research Council;

Agency of Research, Innovation and Technologies established.

http://www3.lrs.lt/pls/inter3/dokpaieska.showdoc_l?p_id=366717

Financing

ALLOCATIONS FOR SCIENCE AND STUDIES IN 2008-2010 (Millions, €)

329.288

305.673

267.916

83.168

77.759

164.143

84.173

94.974

99.903

0 300 600

2008

2009

2010

State budget funding EU SF and gross funding Special programmes funding

State funding for bachelor studies is given to students, not institutions

State funding for bachelor studies is provided in the form of student vouchers

to the best entrants applying to HEI’s:

Entrants choose freely an educational institution – whether it’s a public or a private one;

State funds allocated for vouchers are divided into 11 areas of studies to meet the demand for different kinds of specialists.

11 areas of studies: humanitarian, social, physical, biomedical, technology sciences, artistic and visual arts. Law, business, pedagogy and medicine are

separated out of these as separate areas.

New public funding mechanism: Choice and Integration

State funding was given to the best university and college students. Since 2009 public funding is also available for part–time studies.

The number of students in vocational schools have increased responding to better labour market needs.

A number of the weakest study programs didn’t attract enough students and have to be renewed or closed.

Smaller HEI’s started think about consolidation, first HEIs announced their wish to merge.

Next to public funding universities were able to attract even more private funding from the self–financed students.

Quality reason –

competition among HEI’s (First year results)

Proportion of student vouchers by type of HE institutions in 2009:

Universities: state – 98 %, private – 2 %;

Colleges: state – 91 %, private – 9 %.

25829

students

were enrolled in state and private Universities

for I cycle studies in 2009.

Out of this number:

45 % studies fully covered by the state (vouchers),

55 % pays full price themselves.

15961

students

were enrolled in state and private Colleges

in 2009.

Out of this number:

58 % studies fully covered by the state (vouchers),

42 % pays full price themselves.

Essential enlargement of autonomy

•

New legal status – from a budgetary entity into a public entity – more freedom for decision

making

•

Right to own and manage property entrusted by the state

New management and accountability of HEI’s

Functions

Council

Rector

Senate

Governing body

Highest governing body responsible for strategic

decisions. Formed of the members of academic

community and outside members appointed by

minister according to proposal of National HE

Council

Highest administrative body responsible for the

management of a HEI. Elected by HEI’s

Council

Highest body dealing with academic matters,

approving study programs and securing

maintenance of academic standards

Funding of the Reform: Structural Funds Programmes

2007‐2013

10 % of Structural Fund support – for HE, research and innovation

Higher Education:

National Higher Education Programme (221,28 mil. €)

Research, Technologies & Innovation:

R&D Programme for Cooperation Between Public R&D and Business Sectors (218,06 mil. €) – Integrated Research, HE and Business Centers (Valleys);

Common National Integrated Programme (97,43 mil. €) – 12 national integrated Programmes in R&D knowledge susceptive economical sectors;

Researchers Career Programme (182,5 mil. €) – professional improvement of researchers at all stages of their career.

National Higher Education Programme

–

more skills, more quality

For the modernization of the system of high education is allocated 221,28 mil. €

38 agreements with 20 HEI’s on renewal of I cycle study programmes. In total 150 I cycle study programmes will renewed – 9,4mil. €;

15 agreements with associations and stakeholders and 7 –with HEI’s to develop entrepreneurship and practical skills of students – 8,7mil. €;

9 agreements with 9 Colleges to implement the professors/academic qualification development for projects –1,6mil. €;

MoES supports the projects developing international internship for students – 1,45mil. €.

National Higher Education Programme

–

more skills, modern infrastructure, more quality (2)

Forthcoming funding of:

Modern study infrastructure –

50,15

mil. €

Integrated study programs (together with the foreign universities) – 17, 4

mil. €

Building of the quality assurance systems within the universities – 10

mil. €

Creating measures for accesibility

of the high education for people with specific demands –

5,8

mil. €

Improvement of the management of high education institutions – 15

mil. €

Improvement of the skills for interpreneurship

of students –

14,2

mil. €

Consolidation

of State Research Institutions’

Network

Before consolidation

(2009):17 State Research Institutes

18 University Research Institutes

10 State Research Institutions

After consolidation

(2010):5 Centers of Science and

6 State Research Institutes

(17 Institutes was integrated into universities)

Challenges

•Successful implementation of the HE and research reform

•Successful implementation of EU structural funds programmes

•Strengthening of studies, science and business integration for growth of Lithuania’s

economy

•Globalization and internationalization

•Preparedness for new EU financial programming period for 2014‐2020

THANK YOU

FOR YOUR ATTENTION