1. Higher Education Reform in Lithuania:
Autonomy and Responsibility
Gintaras Steponavičius
Minister of Education and Science
IAU 2010 International Conference “Ethics and Values in Higher Education in the Era of Globalization: What Role
Globalization:
for the Disciplines?
24-26 June, Vilnius
2. Lithuania HE system in figures
HE institutions (HEIs) & 1999/2000 2007/2008 2008/2009 2009/2010
students
Universities + Colleges 16 49 49 46
Total number of students 84 345 204 432 210 400 201 000
Distribution of students by the type of
HEI’s in 2009:
Number of HEIs in State Private University students
College students
2009/2010:
29%
Universities 15 8
Colleges 13 10 71%
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3. Global context for the need to modernize
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.
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4. 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
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5. Major Goals of the Reform
Accessibility. Favorable conditions to all who want
and are able to pursue studies.
Quality. To create conditions and incentives
necessary for the substantial improvement in HE
quality.
Competitiveness. State funding for the best
students and researchers.
Efficient use of resources. Impetus for the rising
prosperity of the country.
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6. 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.
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8. Financing
ALLOCATIONS FOR SCIENCE AND STUDIES IN 2008-2010
(Millions, €)
2010 267.916 164.143 99.903
2009 305.673 77.759 94.974
2008 329.288 83.168 84.173
0 300 600
State budget funding EU SF and gross funding Special programmes funding
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10. 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.
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11. 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.
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12. 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
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13. New management and accountability of HEI’s
Governing body Functions
Highest governing body responsible for strategic
Council decisions. Formed of the members of academic
community and outside members appointed by
minister according to proposal of National HE
Council
Rector Highest administrative body responsible for the
management of a HEI. Elected by HEI’s Council
Highest body dealing with academic matters,
Senate approving study programs and securing
maintenance of academic standards
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14. 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.
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15. 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 – 9,4 mil. €;
15 agreements with associations and stakeholders and 7 –
with HEI’s to develop entrepreneurship and practical skills of
students – 8,7 mil. €;
9 agreements with 9 Colleges to implement the
professors/academic qualification development for projects –
1,6 mil. €;
MoES supports the projects developing international
internship for students – 1,45 mil. €.
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17. 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)
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18. 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
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