UNIVERSITIES IN LITHUANIA QUO VADIS Prof Benediktas Juodka

UNIVERSITIES IN LITHUANIA: QUO VADIS ? Prof. Benediktas Juodka Vilnius University 2009. 26 Riga

Lithuanian institutions of higher education and research At present there are 93 institutions: Universities – 22 ( of them 15 state, 7 private); Colleges – 28 ( 16 state, 12 private); State research institutions – 43. 2009. 26 Riga B. Juodka

Part of GDP (in percents) for research and development (EU 27 and Lithuania) EU 27 average Lithuania 2009. 26 Riga B. Juodka

WWhat are strengths and weaknesses of Lithuanian Higher Education? What is the future of such a lumpish and underfinanced research and study system? WWhat are the mission and sustaining elements of Lithuanian higher education system? 2009. 26 Riga B. Juodka

Weaknesses of Lithuanian Higher Education LOW QUALITY OF OUTPUT AND RESULTS Non- effective management of the system and of higher education institutions Scarce resources Insufficient financing Low quality of human resources 2009. 26 Riga Low quality infrastructure Nontransparent and ineffective distribution of financial resources Top-down, enclosed management of HE institutions Excessive regulation, slight autonomy and accountability of HEI Low capability to implement the policy, limitations of quality assurance B. Juodka

Mission and sustaining elements of Lithuanian Higher Education system More autonomy, more accountability, enterprising management and improved control Polarization towards Lithuanian students as well as close international integration Quality culture and independent Agency of Quality Assurance 2009. 26 Riga Create conditions, necessary for research based HE to return to the European landscape Mission of HE: to be a catalyst of the advance of society Smarter and better financing Flexible planning of studies, close partnership with business sector. Increased orientation towards life-long learning Diversified system of HE: two research based universities, regional, state and specialized private HEI B. Juodka