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Higher Education Reform in the Context of Economic Crisis: the case of Lithuania

Higher Education Reform in the Context of Economic Crisis: the case of Lithuania. Gintaras Steponavi č ius Minister of Education and Science. KEF IX: Diversification Through Innovation The World Bank's 9th Knowledge Economy Forum 5-7 May 10, Berlin.

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Higher Education Reform in the Context of Economic Crisis: the case of Lithuania

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  1. Higher Education Reform in the Context of Economic Crisis: the case of Lithuania Gintaras Steponavičius Minister of Education and Science KEF IX: Diversification Through Innovation The World Bank's 9th Knowledge Economy Forum 5-7 May 10, Berlin

  2. Science and studies concentration in Lithuania

  3. Starting point 2009 • 12 000 researchers, 6000 with doctoral degrees • 300 - 400 new doctoral degrees each year • 200 000 students (60 000 in the colleges) • 23 university ( 8 private), 17 state and 18 university research institutes, 23 colleges • Investments in R&D - 0,8 % of GDP • 6,7 % researchers in business and industry

  4. ALLOCATIONS FOR SCIENCE AND STUDIES IN 2008-2010 (Millions, €) 267.916 164.143 99.903 2010 2009 305.673 77.759 94.974 329.288 83.168 84.173 2008 0 300 600 State budget funding EU SF and gross funding Special programmes funding Financing

  5. HE system in Lithuania Distribution of students by the type of HEI’s in 2009:

  6. Reform of Higher education and research system New Law on Higher Education and Research 30-04-2009: Competitive funding of HE (Students’ vouchers) • Programme based competitive research funding • Institutional reform of research institutes • Institutional reform of universities and colleges • External institutional evaluation • Intellectual rights protection • Science Council reformed in to Research Council • Agency of Research, Innovation and Technologies established

  7. Major goals of the higher education reform Quality. To create conditions and incentives necessary for the substantial improvement in HE quality Accessibility. Favorable conditions to all who want and are able to pursue studies Competitiveness. State funding for the best students and researchers. Efficient use of resources.Impetus for the rising prosperity of the country

  8. 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.

  9. First results of the new funding mechanism • 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 better labour market needs. • A number of the weakest study programs didn’t attract enough students and have to be renewed orclosed. • 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.

  10. 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. 15961students 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.

  11. Increasing accessibility To ensure real accessibility a state loan system for students has been transformed and expanded. Since 2009 students can get state–supported loans from the private commercial institutions (banks) to cover their: • study costs, • living expenses, • part time studies abroad under international agreements. Objectives: • The opportunity to provide students with loans has increased 6 times; • The loans are provided by 4 banks, the competition of which enables students to choose the bank offering the lowest interest rate; • During the studies period the government will compensate interest rate higher than 5 percent for loans taken to cover their study costs; • Loans can be taken in national currency (litas) as well as in euro's • Repayment of the loans related with the student’s income rates (income contingent). Social scholarships are also available to students with low socio-economical background, disable and orphans. This type of scholarship and amount in money is regulated by the state.

  12. New management and accountability Governing body Functions Council 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 Rector Highest administrative body responsible for the management of a HEI. Elected by HEI’s Council Senate Highest body dealing with academic matters, approving study programs and securing maintenance of academic standards

  13. 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

  14. The main focus in 2010 • Attention to the students enrolled in science and technology studies – more state funded places comparing with other fields of studies • Attention to the pedagogical studies – less number of state funded places, more state allocations per one study place, additional scholarships • Renewal of the I cycle study programmes • Development of joint study programmes to increase the internationalization of HE • Development of the tools for internal quality assurance systems in HEI’s • To adapt study infrastructure for the needs of disable students • Encourage development of practical skills and entrepreneurship of students

  15. 10 % of Structural Fund support – for HE, research and innovation EU structural funds – attention to R&D infrastructure, human resources and environment • R&D Programme for Cooperation Between Public R&D and Business Sectors - Integrated Research, HE and Business Centers (Valleys) • Common National Integrated Programme – 12 national integrated Programmes in R&D knowledge susceptive economical sectors • Researchers Career Programme - professional improvement of researchers at all stages of their career Concentration of Lithuanian R&D potential • Reorganization of Institutes’ Network • National Science Programmes

  16. Stimulation of innovation Investments into: R&D infrastructure, human resources andenvironment

  17. Structural Funds Programmes 2007-2013 • R&D Programme for Cooperation Between Public R&D and Business Sectors (218,06 mil. €) • Common National Integrated Programme (97,43 mil. €) • Researchers Career Programme (182,5 mil. €) • National Higher Education Programme (221,28 mil. €)

  18. Integrated Research, HE and Business Centers (Valleys) Research Knowledge and competitiveness Studies Business 5 Valleys Programmes started in 2009

  19. Focus on priority fields • Biotechnology and biomedicine; • Materials science, physical and chemical technologies; • Natural resources and agricultural; • Engineering and IT.

  20. Stimulus for R&D commercialization • Recommendations for Lithuanian science and studies institutions regarding the rights arising from the results of intellectual activities, approved by the order of the Minister of Education and Science December 1, 2009 • Recommendations – a consulting guide, setting the guidelines for Lithuanian science and studies institutions on the rights, arising from the results of intellectual activities, and their use, disposal and management.

  21. Consolidation of State Research Institutions’ Network Before consolidation: 17 State Research Institutes 18 University Research Institutes 10 State Research Institutions After consolidation: 5 Centers of Science and 6 State Research Institutes (17 Institutes was integrated into universities)

  22. Actions • Open international tender for the selection of the Valley Monitoring Group experts announced • Funding Contracts of the Projects of National Integrated Programs will be signed • Regulation basis for management of open-access centers • Legal basis of the Science and Technology Parks renewed

  23. National target EU2020 for R&D intensity By 2020 Lithuania targets2% R&D intensity (0,8% in 2009): • In the period of the financial crisis, the budget allocations to the higher education and science sector were reduced less than in average to the public sector in total. • Since 2009, government expenditure on R&D has been increased due to SF allocations. • New fiscal incentives for R&D: improved financial accounting in business sector is expected; • Due to reform: new incentives for research and higher education institutions to commercialize R&D results andattract investments from business sector. • Reformed research and higher education system and renewed infrastructure: foreign investment should increase.

  24. 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

  25. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

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