Higher Education
Higher Education Policy Framework
Description of the Higher Education Policy Scheme
This scheme depicts all of the participants of the Lithuanian higher education system. When representing issues relevant to students, student organizations operating in the field of higher education and their delegated representatives must see the participants of this system in order to be able to purposefully direct their appeal. This higher education system is based on the Law on Science and Studies of the Republic of Lithuania and other legal acts regulating studies and science.
It is indicated that the state policy of science and studies is formed by the Seimas, and it is implemented by the Government, the Ministry of Education and Science, and other ministries, the Research Council of Lithuania, the State Studies Foundation, the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education, the Ombudsman for Academic Ethics and Procedures, institutions authorised by the Government and the Ministry of Education and Science, as well as other institutions.
The Law also names and advises institutions, such as student self-government and self-government organisations (in this case, the Student Representation of Vilnius University and the Lithuanian Students' Union), and the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, which contribute to the formation and implementation of the state's science and studies policy. Other stakeholders that are not defined in the law also contribute to the formation of higher education policy, such as non-governmental organisations such as the Lithuanian Students' Union, business associations, trade unions, etc.
The diagram shows how the structures named in the law work with each other, read more about each of them by clicking on the links.
Citizens of the Republic of Lithuania
Persons who have citizenship of the Republic of Lithuania and the rights and obligations granted with it.
The citizens of the Republic of Lithuania have the legislative right enshrined in the second part of Article 68 of the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, which can be exercised by 50 thousand citizens with the right to vote. Citizens can also submit petitions and proposals for the draft laws under consideration, during the public consultation period.
President
The president is the head of state. The President decides on the main issues of foreign policy and, together with the Government, implements foreign policy, has the right of legislative initiative in the Seimas, as well as the right to veto laws adopted by the Seimas.
More about the functions of the President
Seimas
The Seimas is the legislative power of the Republic of Lithuania. The Seimas consists of 141 representatives of the Nation, elected for a four-year term. The influence of the Seimas on higher education policy processes is legislative: draft laws related to higher education policy processes are registered in the Seimas, which are later submitted to the Seimas meetings through the Committees and approved.
More information about the activities of the Seimas
Government
The Government is the executive power of the laws of the Republic of Lithuania. The government consists of ministers from 14 ministries and the prime minister, appointed by the Seimas for a four-year term.
The Government coordinates the activities of ministries and other Government establishments, implements the laws adopted by the Seimas and proposes draft laws, draws up a draft state budget, after the Seimas approves it, and ensures its smooth implementation. Performs other duties assigned to the Government by the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania and other laws.
The influence of the Government in higher education policy processes is decisive and executive: draft laws related to higher education policy processes are registered, which are submitted to the Seimas, decisions are adopted at Government sittings according to the competence of higher education issues assigned to it.
More details about the Government's activities
Ministry of Education, Science and Sports
The Ministry of Education, Science and Sports (hereinafter referred to as the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports) is a state institution of the Republic of Lithuania which, in the perspective of its operational objectives, forms state policy, organises, coordinates and controls its implementation, and in cases established by law, implements it in the areas of management assigned to the Minister of Education.
More details about the functions of the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports
Minister for Education, Science and Sport
The Minister heads the Ministry, decides on issues falling within the competence of the Ministry, and is directly responsible for the implementation of the Government's programme and the annual priorities of the Government's activities and the planned results in the areas of management assigned to him.
Research Council of Lithuania
The Research Council of Lithuania is an advisory institution to the Seimas and the Government on issues of science, studies and experimental development policy.
In implementing the Lithuanian science policy, the Research Council of Lithuania not only carries out expert activities and evaluation of scientific activities, but also organises the representation of Lithuania's interests on the issues of science and experimental development in the working groups of the European Union member states and international organisations, and implements the competitive funding of scientific programmes. The Research Council of Lithuania finances scientific projects, to which students also contribute.
Members of the Research Council of Lithuania
The Research Council of Lithuania consists of 29 members, elected for a 5-year term. The composition of the Research Council of Lithuania is approved by the Seimas on the proposal of the Government.
Chairman of the Research Council of Lithuania
The single-person governing body of the RCL is the Chairman of the RCL, appointed to the position by the Seimas for a 5-year term of office upon the proposal of the Government. The same person may be appointed as the Chairman of the RCL for no more than two consecutive terms.
More about the Chairman of the Research Council of Lithuania
Board of the Research Council of Lithuania
The Board of the RCL is a collegial governing body of the RCL. The Board consists of 7 members of impeccable reputation, as defined by the Law on Science and Studies, of which at least four must be scientists with international work experience. The Board shall be appointed by the Government for a term of 5 years. The same person may be appointed as a member of the Board for no more than two consecutive terms.
More about the Board of the Research Council of Lithuania
State Studies Foundation
The State Studies Foundation (SSF) is a state budgetary institution subordinate to the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports, which administers state loans, state-supported loans to students and pupils, provides other financial support to students and vocational training, funds for the implementation of students' civic, scientific, entrepreneurial, creative and sports projects, and implements other measures aimed at ensuring the quality and accessibility of higher education and vocational education.
The influence of SSF in higher education policy processes is advisory.
More details about SSF:
The Lithuanian Academy of Sciences
The Lithuanian Academy of Sciences (LAS) is an independent expert and advisor to the Seimas, the Government and its subordinate institutions on science and studies, culture, social development, economy, nature conservation, health care, technology and other issues.
Another important area of activity of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences is to promote talented scientists and research. In addition to the established nominal prizes for the promotion of young scientists and higher education students, the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences also initiates many other measures to activate the country's scientists and research.
The Lithuanian Academy of Sciences is also home to the Young Academy of Sciences of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences (YASLAS).
More information about the activities of the LAS can be found here:
Education Exchange and Support Fund (EESF)
The Education Exchange and Support Fund (EESF) is a Lithuanian national agency tasked with administering the Erasmus+ programme and other initiatives funded by the European Commission (EC) and the Government of the Republic of Lithuania in the field of education and training.
You can get acquainted with the Statutes of the EESF here.
You can get acquainted with the EESF in more detail here
Centre for Quality and Assessment in Higher Education
In accordance with the procedure established by legal acts, the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education promotes the quality of the activities of higher education institutions through external evaluation, assessment of qualifications acquired abroad that give the right to higher education and higher education qualifications, provides information on the issues of the Centre's activities and performs other functions.
When engaging in the certification of study programmes, the Centre may close study programmes or higher education institutions.
Council of the Centre for Quality and Assessment in Higher Education
The Council of the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (Council) is a collegial governing body consisting of 11 members. The composition of the Council shall be approved by the Minister of the Ministry of Education.
The most important functions of the Council are to elect the Director of the Centre, approve the vision, mission and strategic plan of the Centre, submit proposals on the annual plans of the Centre, approve the annual report of the Director of the Centre, and prepare the Centre's annual report.
More about the Council of the Centre for Quality Assessment of Studies
Centre for Government Strategic Analysis
The Centre for Government Strategic Analysis (CGSA) is an expert body that provides the Government and ministries with independent, investigative information needed to make evidence-based public policy decisions.
Ombudsman for Academic Ethics and Procedures of the Republic of Lithuania
The Ombudsman for Academic Ethics and Procedures is a public official who implements higher education policy, deals with complaints, reports, and conducts investigations on his or her own initiative regarding possible violations of academic ethics and procedures. The Ombudsperson shall be appointed by the Seimas for a 5-year term upon the proposal of the Research Council of Lithuania.
After examining the complaint (notification) or conducting an investigation, the Ombudsman may take a decision to oblige higher education institutions to revoke decisions on the award of higher education qualifications, to amend or revoke decisions that are contrary to academic ethics and procedures
More detailed information on the activities of the Ombudsman for Academic Ethics and Procedures can be found here.
Office of the Ombudsman for Academic Ethics and Procedures of the Republic of Lithuania
A state budgetary institution, the purpose of which is to ensure the work of the Ombudsman for Academic Ethics and Procedures of the Republic of Lithuania by examining complaints and initiating investigations into violations of academic ethics and procedures, ensuring that the provisions and procedures of academic ethics are not violated.
You can read more about the Controller and the Service here.
University
A university is a higher education institution where university studies, scientific research, experimental (social, cultural) development and/or high-level professional art are developed. The influence of the University in higher education policy processes is advisory when it comes to decisions at the national level, because internal decisions are made on the basis of the Right of University Autonomy.
You can read in more detail:
College
A college is a higher education institution where college-level studies, applied research and/or professional art are developed. The influence of colleges in higher education policy processes is advisory when it comes to decisions at the national level, as internal decisions are made on the basis of the right of autonomy of colleges.
You can read in more detail:
Research Institute
A research institute is a legal entity whose main activity is research and experimental development.
The influence of research institutes on higher education policy processes is advisory.
The scientific institutes operating in Lithuania are listed here
Lithuanian Council of Education
The Council of Education of Lithuania (hereinafter referred to as the Council) is a state education self-governing institution established by the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania and accountable to it, which performs expert assessment and consults on strategic issues of the development of education in Lithuania.
More details on the functions of the Council and the appointment of members
Lithuanian University Rectors' Conference (LURC)
It is a conference that unites all rectors of Lithuanian universities. It makes proposals on the issues of studies, research and experimental development policy, on the state policy of higher education (studies, retraining of specialists with higher education, training of scientists, scientific and creative work of universities), maintains relations with foreign and international organisations.
Can delegate their representatives to working groups or commissions established by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports (and not only) that are related to higher education.
Conference of Directors of Lithuanian Colleges (CDLC)
It is a conference that unites all directors of Lithuanian colleges. Its main activities: to represent the interests of colleges, to submit proposals for the preparation of higher education budget projects and the allocation of funding subsidies to higher education institutions, to submit proposals for the financing of colleges and to seek the strengthening and development of the activities of the collegial sector in the Lithuanian collegiate higher education system.
It can delegate its representatives to the working groups or commissions formed by the Ministry of Education (and not only) that are related to higher education.