KAUNAS COLLEGE FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND LAW Management and Business Administration study programmes FINAL REPORT Head of the group: Members: Dr. Michael Emery Prof. Heinrich Stremitzer Prof. Jorgen Ljung Prof.. Rainhart Lang Prof. Erno Zalai Prof. Kurt Pedersen Dr. Gintaras Gavenas Vilnius June 2005
Profile of Management and Business Administration Study Programmes Title of study programme Office and Enterprise Administration Accounting State code 653203S115 65303S101 Kind of study Non-university Non-university Mode of study1 (duration in years) Volume of study programme in credits Degree and (or) professional qualification to be awarded Programme registration date, order No. F(3) PX(4) 120 120 Office and Enterprise Administrator Accountant 2000-09-21. No. 1182 2001-06-28, No.1056 1 F Full-time; PE Part-time (Evening); PX Part-time (Extramural).
1. Introduction Kaunas College is a Non-University Institution located North-West from Vilnius. Non- University Institutions belong to the higher education system and differentiate themselves from the Universities as they prepare students for the labour market giving them practical skills on specific topics immediately applicable in private or public companies and institutions. The labour market in Lithuania seems to appreciate the college s graduates as their preparation fits very well with the requirements to be eligible for middle-low managerial positions. The presence of Non-University Colleges in the Lithuanian higher education system indicates positive implications in the economy as real needs of the labour market (especially of local enterprises) are effectively addressed, but it also risks penalising the most talented students if a clear and structured mechanism of coordination/articulation between Colleges and Universities is not defined soon. This strategic decision, that will affect the effectiveness of the Lithuanian higher education system in the long term, has certainly to be further addressed and requires more advanced and deep analyses. Kaunas College has five Faculties (the Faculty of Economics and Law; the Faculty of Landscaping; the J. Vienožinskis Faculty of Arts; the Faculty of Technologies; the Faculty of Business Management) and two Study Centers (the Medicine and Social Science Study Centre; the Kėdainiai J. Radvila Study Centre). During the last five years the number of study programs has increased from 9 to 40, showing a strong dynamism and a market oriented attitude. The study programs on Office and Enterprise Administration and of Accounting are managed by the Faculty of Economics and Law. The whole group of experts visited, on April 13 th 2005, Kaunas College. 2. Aims and goals of the Study Programmes The mission of Kaunas College is to provide higher non-university education in the areas of social sciences, health care and care, technologies, humanities, art and design; educate professionals and enable them to meet social and economic requirements of Kaunas region and the state; equip study process with modern training technologies via participation in international projects and cooperation with social partners; facilitate the information of self sufficient and mature individuals who would seek for professional competence and aid in the building of prosperous democratic society. Within this general framework, the aims and goals of the two analysed study programs are as follows: Office and Enterprise Administration Study Program: To provide theory and skills of practical work and self-study necessary in specified activities of an administrator, to expand the possibilities for students to integrate into information and legal society and to work under market conditions. Upon the graduation of the programme, people obtain
the competence to handle information, to organize specified work of employees and subdivisions of an enterprise, and to adopt independent decisions within the framework of their competence. Accounting Study Program: The aim of the study programme is to provide theory and skills necessary for the acquisition of the qualification of an accountant and for independent work in the spheres of economic and financial activities. The description of the competences that the graduates from the two study programs should have is clear to the Faculty and well detailed. Both study programs seem to match the needs presented by the local labour market, as declared by the employers we interviewed and as evidenced by the employment survey run among the college graduates. According to this survey, only 6% and 4% of 2004 graduated students from the Office and Enterprise Administration Program and from the Accounting Program respectively had not yet found employment. Moreover, as far as the Accounting Program is concerned, in the employers opinion, the professional competence of the certified accountants fully (68,2%) or partially (29,5%) conforms to the required qualification of accountant. From the visit it is evident that Kaunas College is a fast growing Non-University Institution, which pursues its mission as a local College preparing graduates for companies and public administration institutions in its area, but at the same time that it is expanding its activity out of the Region as study programs in Druskininkai, Kėdainiai and Tauragė are organized as well. The following considerations apply both to the Office and Enterprise Administration Program and to the Accounting Program. The panel notes that Kaunas College prepared a document providing additional data and useful updated information concerning the changes which had occurred after the writing of the selfassessment report in September 2003 (which has been presented to the experts during the visit). The panel s evaluations and the comments presented in this report take into account this new documentation. 3. Analysis of the Programme 3.1. Study programmes Office and Enterprise Administration and Accounting (nonuniversity studies) 3.1.1 Structure, contents and study methods Design of the curricula complies with Lithuanian standard requirements. The structure of the programs indicate a good balance of theory, lectures and practice sessions. In the Office and Enterprise Administration Program it would be useful to introduce a course in Statistics and a course in Market Research Techniques. In both programs, a higher presence of courses referring to the international/european perspective would be important (such as international/european law, international marketing, international management). 3.1.2 Execution of studies and support for students
The Study Quality Department (at College level) and the self-government institutions both at College and Faculty level provide an effective control of the teaching and learning processes. Periodical evaluations, final examinations, final thesis, practical exercises, seminars, easy and open dialogue between teachers and students and the adoption of the credits system, seem to represent an effective battery of tools for the monitoring of the execution of studies and for the support of students. A higher internationalisation of the literature used in the courses would be extremely useful. 3.1.3 Variation in the number of students The number of students has increased during the last five years. It is important to notice that the rate of the enrolled students coming from outside the Region (in 2004, 34% for the Accounting Program and 44,2% for the Office and Enterprise Administration Program) has increased as well. The dropping out rate has experienced a significant reduction. 3.1.4 Teaching staff The qualification of teachers is a common problem for the Non-University higher institutions. If from the one side it is certainly important to have teachers coming from the professions, at the same time a stronger theoretical background and a higher competence in running applied studies would help in creating long lasting conditions for a continuous improvement of the quality education programs and for a more solid growth process. 3.1.5 Advantages and disadvantages of the Programme Experts agree with the advantages and disadvantages described in the self assessment report. During the visit, the Administration of the College presented the strategies and the first results of the actions that have been taken in order to cope with the disadvantages. These are important signals showing the critical approach adopted by the College in analysing its activity and in setting a quality improving process. The lack of a tight coordination with the University programs is a serious (and more general) problem that Kaunas College (as all the higher education system) has to address. The difference between the number of students who would like to continue their studies at the University and the number of those who actually go to the University is very large. 4. Material conditions
Material conditions are sufficient for the students and the furniture and the equipment have been recently renewed. A foreign language laboratory would provide additional teaching and learning opportunities. The Library should continue to increase the number of subscriptions to international journals and databases. 5. External relations Kaunas College has become an important player in the social and economic life of the town and of the whole region. In the last years it also widened its horizons opening new study programmes in other regions. Its relations with the University system are growing, even if the general scenario in the higher education system does not favour a strong cooperation among different institutions. Recently it signed an agreement with Kaunas Faculty of Humanities at Vilnius University. The international relations are improving, both for teachers and students (Erasmus and Socrates Programs). The number of countries which are partners in exchange programs is increasing. In the last year the College has been chosen by some incoming students (from France and from Poland). The College should invest more resources in this area also in order to better reflect requests coming from companies and employers. 6. Feedback Kaunas College has good relations with Association of Employers, Chamber of Commerce, Institute of Accounting, etc. As already discussed in paragraph 2, both study programs seem to match the needs presented by the local labour market, as declared by the employers we interviewed and as evidenced by the employment survey run among the college graduates. The practice period that the students have to experience often ends with a job offer by the hosting companies. This is a good sign of the ability of the College in choosing partners for the stage part of the curriculum. In order to improve the service provided to the students and make more systematic this action, a formal Placement Office could be included in the College organigram. 7. Internal assurance of study quality A quality assurance system is in place. The system, even if not all the processes have a formal and written procedure, seems to work well. All the internal components (students, teachers, administrators, etc.) are evaluated according to defined criteria and have representatives in the different self-government bodies of the Faculty and of the College. Moreover, external stakeholders have the possibility to get in touch with the College and provide suggestions for quality improvement.
8. General assessment of the programmes within the study field Kaunas College is certainly an ambitious and fast growing Institution. Its increase in the rate of the enrolled students coming from outside the Region (in 2004, 34% for the Accounting Program and 44,2% for the Office and Enterprise Administration Program) and the opening of new study programmes in Druskininkai, Kėdainiai and Tauragė represent clear evidence of these aspirations. Moreover, the efforts of College Administration in encouraging the teachers in engaging in consultancy activity and applied research projects and in designing on demand adult courses for the local economic stakeholders are particularly appreciated and reflect practice in other countries. Figures related to extra financing raised by the College are quite impressive. This activity shows the ambition of the College in becoming an active player in the promotion of the economic development of the Region and in becoming more autonomous from a financial point of view (from the state funding). The extra funding it is currently invested in the opening of further educational projects and in new facilities and technologies. In order to create the conditions for a continuous improvement of the quality education programs and for a more solid growth process, it would be important to invest most of the extra resources in updating and advancing teachers qualification and in the selection of new young highly motivated teachers with a doctoral degree, English skills and international/european connections (or ability to establish them). 8.1 Recommendation to the higher education institution To improve the channels of communication among the College/Faculty, the employers, the graduates, and the students. The establishment of a Placement Office could certainly help. To increase the quantity and the effectiveness of the circulation of the information on international exchange programs, visits, summer schools, etc. The establishment of an Internationalisation Office could certainly help in increasing the number of international agreements between the College and foreign institutions, and in increasing of the incoming students. To increase the number of international courses and the international content of the existing courses, including more internationalisation of the suggested literature. To use extra funding for updating and advancing teachers qualification and for selecting new young highly motivated teachers with a doctoral degree, English skills and international/european connections (or ability to establish them). To establish new collaborations with the Universities in order to favour the most talented students who graduate in the College and wish to go to the University and get reasonable recognition for their existing studies and qualifications.
8.2. Proposal on accreditation Kaunas College, Faculty of Economics and Law: Non-university study programme Office and Enterprise Administration (state code 65303S115) is given FULL ACCREDITATION Non-university study programme Accounting (state code 65303S101) is given FULL ACCREDITATION Head of the group:... Dr. Michael Emery Members:.. Prof. Heinrich Stremitzer. Prof. Jorgen Ljung. Prof.. Rainhart Lang. Prof. Erno Zalai. Prof. Kurt Pedersen. Dr. Gintaras Gavenas