Development of non-university higher education in Lithuania Romualdas Pusvaskis Director of VET Department
Initial education and training system HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS PROFESSIONAL COLLEGES VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS 1 STAGE COLLEGES 2 STAGE 3 STAGE 4 STAGE TECHNOLOGICAL GYMNASIUM BASIC SCHOOL PRIMARY SCHOOL GENERAL SECONDORY EDUCATION SCHOOL GYMNASIUM UNIVERSITIES SECONDARY SCHOOL 18 17 14 15 16 13 12 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION LEGEND TOWARDS LABOUR MARKET MATURITY CERTIFICATE MAIN ROUTE OPTIONAL/POSSIBLE ROUTE
Continuing training System of education, 2003 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 University studies (ISCED 5-6) Higher non-university studies (ISCED 5) 12 11 Secondary education (ISCED 3) Vocational education and training (ISCED 2-4) 10 9 8 7 Basic education (ISCED 2)
Network of educational institutions, 2004 Type of institution Total Private General education schools 1932 19 Vocational schools and professional colleges 91 8 Colleges* 27 11 Universities 23 6 *established on the basis of 70 state and 18 private professional colleges
History of establishment of colleges 1. Reform of the system of technicums : establishment of professional colleges, 1991; development of the model of practically oriented higher education, 1991-1997. 2. Preparation for the reform of professional colleges: development of self-assessment based quality assurance system (1997-1999); development of white paper on higher education, 1998-1999; passing in Seimas (Parliament) the Law on Higher Education, 2000. 3. Establishment of the system of colleges: external assessment of the quality of studies in professional colleges and establishment of colleges with temporary status, 2000-2003; external assessment of the progress achieved in a period of 4 years with the aim to grant permanent status for colleges, started in 2004
Extracts from the Law on Higher Education Non-university studies are one-stage professional studies in a higher education establishment, oriented to practical activities, providing possibilities of acquiring a professional qualification based on applied research and (or) development. Article 4. Study System 1. The study system shall consist of sequential university and nonuniversity studies in higher education establishments Article 5. Types of Higher Education Establishments 1. Higher education establishments shall be of two types universities and colleges Article 41. Volume and duration of studies 1. Duration of non-university studies shall be not less than 3 study years (120 credits)
Something more about colleges 1. Orientation towards the regional needs is required. 2. Applied research is stimulated. 3. Duration of studies in most cases is 3 years. 4. Programmes are developed by colleges 5. themselves on the bases of nationally approved standards. 6. Quality of programmes is assessed together with programmes of universities by the Higher Education Quality Assurance Centre.
Something about universities 1. Universities enjoy high level of autonomy. 2. Studies in universities are academically oriented. 3. Universities award 3 types of degrees: bachelor s degree, duration of studies 4 years; master s degree, duration of studies 1,5-2 years; doctor s degree, duration of studies 3 years. 4. University studies have a high prestige.
Entrants to universities 35000 30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 bachelor's degree master's degree
Numbers of students in professional and nonuniversity colleges 60000 50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 0 2000/2001 2001/2002 2002/2003 2003/2004 professional colleges non-university colleges
Continuation of education after school graduation in 2003 Universities and Colleges 21,6 % Professional colleges 0,3 % 68,8 % Upper secondary schools 11,5 % 5,8 Vocational schools 72,8 Basic schools 24,9 % of admittance
Correspondence of labour force supply and demand Entrants, 2003 Situation, LFS, 2003 Finland, 2010 Universities 44% Legislators, senior officers and managers Professionals Technicians, associate professionals Clerks Service workers, shop and market sales workers Universities 19,5% Polytechnics 26,5% Colleges 28% Vocational schools Skilled agricultural and fishery workers Craft and related trades workers Plant and machine operators and assemblers 28% Elementary occupations Vocational schools 53%
Main questions under discussion 1. A necessity to introduce professional bachelor s degree to award graduates of non-university study programmes 2. A necessity to introduce professional/applied master degree studies. Two alternatives of access for graduates of colleges are discussed: according to general rules of access to master degree studies; at least 3 years working experience prior to master degree studies.
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