Lithuanian Parliament passes legislation revolutionizing science and academics
2009-04-30

On Thursday, June 30th, the Republic of Lithuania’s Parliament passed a science and academics motion which allows for a systematic restructuring of Lithuania’s higher education and scientific research system. The law seeks to modernize and improve the quality of Lithuania’s higher education by changing the academic system’s financial infrastructure and reorganizing academic institutions’ administrative policies.

Gintaras Steponavičius, the Minister of Education and Science, explained that the law was the result of a great deal of hard work. He also said that the successful vote indicates a more mature parliament which is ready to reform the academic system and turn to a new page in Lithuania’s history.

“We are a country whose people can and should be proud of themselves and their knowledge – this is our greatest treasure. We must march alongside the rest of the world step by step by creating competitive and modern international academic institutions. We must serve the young generation seeking quality higher education here in Lithuania.” “We are ready to begin our reformation. As soon as the law comes into effect, the most important points will be acted upon first – establishing a competitive standard for national scholarships, reassigning national funds to various educational fields, tuition standardization and the establishment of a set of rules governing national student loans,” said Steponavičius.

The law seeks to reform collegiate and university educational funding, widen the scope of possible funding sources to include private entities, and to redirect national funds to higher-achieving students. It will also ensure social accessibility to higher education, reform these institutions’ administrative infrastructures and grant them more autonomy. The law will foster creativity and intellect by providing for a national academic network and increasing institutional efficacy.

The government expressed support for this motion as early as January of this year. The new provisions will go into effect as soon as the bill is signed by Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus.

Beginning in 2009-2010, collegiate or university students who receive national funding will be able to apply it towards tuition in any public or private Lithuanian institution of higher learning. The money will be tied to the student rather than to the institution.

In 2009-2010, 21,000 freshmen, 11,000 university students and 10,000 college students will receive full tuition national scholarships. 51 million lt. have been appropriated to university freshmen, up from 35.6 million. College freshmen will receive 19.4 million lt., up from 16.6 million. Master’s and doctorate programs will receive money based on their impact upon and involvement in their respective fields of research.

Students not covered by national scholarships will have to pay their own tuition. All applicants will be able to draw national student loans to help finance their studies. In order to improve schools’ competitive and creative potential, increasingly more funding will be distributed according to scientific achievements rather than just generic institutional funding.

The law redefines the board of directors of an academic institution as an autonomous entity. The boards will evaluate institutional missions, set tuitions, select deans, oversee administrative restructuring and manage institutional funding. One half of the board will consist of members of the academic community, and the other will consist of general members appointed by the Minister of Education and Science.

The legal status of national institutions of higher learning will change from a simple budgetary item to a special public entity status. The many different types of currently existing scientific institutions will acquire a new legal status as scientific research institutions.

Academic programs will be re-accredited at least every six years. Public reviews of academic institutions will occur every six years. General European credits (according to the Bologna process) based upon student’s performance and hours spent studying will also be accepted. An academic ethics and procedures supervisor’s position has been stipulated as well.

The new academic and scientific legislation follows the Government of the Republic of Lithuania’s academic program. It is based upon a parliamentary document signed in 2007 which outlines a broad academic reform. The initial drafts began their evaluative process in Lithuanian parliament in 2008.

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