Promotion of higher education and research institutions

Objective

The primary goal of this evaluation is to encourage higher education and research institutions to enhance their performance in study activities through additional funding incentives.

Implementation and Assessment Bodies

The evaluation process is conducted by the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC) in collaboration with the National Agency for Education (NAE), the Research Council of Lithuania (RCL), and the State Studies Foundation (SSF). Data for the assessment is gathered from state registers and information provided by the institutions. The SKVC subsequently submits the calculated results to the Ministry of Education, Science, and Sport.

Evaluation Criteria

The assessment of study achievements is based on the following criteria:

• Study Performance;
• Internationalisation of Studies;
• Student Engagement in Research and Artistic Activities;
• Graduate Career Success;
• Accessibility of Studies;
• Funding from Economic Entities, Non-Governmental Organizations, and Individuals.

Study Groups Evaluated

Institutions are assessed based on four study groups:

• Group I: Short-cycle, first-cycle, and integrated studies;
• Group II: Postgraduate (second-cycle) studies;
• Group III: Doctoral (third-cycle) studies;
• Group P: Professional studies.

Data Sources and Measurement

The assessment criteria are measured using data from various sources, including the Education Management Information System, SSF, and RCL. Key evaluation metrics include:

Study Performance

This indicator reflects the number of graduates who have successfully completed short-cycle, first-cycle, second-cycle, third-cycle, integrated, or professional studies.

Higher education and research institutions are recognized based on the study performance criterion only if the student drop-out rate within a study group does not exceed 25 percent.

Internationalisation of Studies

For short-cycle and first-cycle college studies, internationalisation is measured as the total number of graduates who participated in partial studies (earning at least 15 study credits) during their study period, combined with the number of foreign graduates.

For university-level studies, the criteria differ by study cycle:

• First-cycle, second-cycle, and integrated university studies: The measure of internationalisation is based on the number of foreign graduates.
• Third-cycle (doctoral) studies: Internationalisation is assessed by summing the number of doctoral students who defended a dissertation or an art project, the number of those who completed an internship of at least three months during their doctoral studies (with multiple internships potentially combined), and the number of foreign doctoral students who successfully defended a dissertation or an art project.

Student Engagement in Research and Artistic Activities

The engagement of students in research, artistic, and study activities is assessed based on the total number of students, excluding those in third-cycle studies, who participated in RCL-funded projects during the academic year. These projects are financed through funds allocated for student research and experimental development (R&D). Additionally, this measure includes students employed by the higher education institution for a period of no less than four months in study-related activities, as classified under sections P (Education) and M (Professional, Scientific, and Technical Activities) of the Economic Activity Classification. However, students employed using funds received from RCL for student R&D projects are excluded from this count.

For third-cycle (doctoral) studies, engagement is determined by the number of doctoral students employed as teachers or researchers for a period of at least four months.

Graduate Career Success

Graduate career success is assessed based on the number of graduates who, within 12 months of graduation, either continued their studies at a higher level and/or secured employment in a position requiring a higher education qualification.

A graduate is considered to be employed in a job requiring a higher education qualification if:

• Upon completing short-cycle or first-cycle college studies, they are employed in occupational groups 0–3 of the Lithuanian Occupational Classification (LPK) or engaged in self-employment.
• Upon completing first-cycle university, second-cycle, third-cycle, integrated, or professional studies, they are employed in LPK occupational groups 0–2 or are self-employed.

Higher education and research institutions are recognized under the graduate career success criterion only if at least 60% of their graduates, 12 months after graduation, have either continued their studies at a higher level or secured employment in a position requiring a higher education qualification—excluding those with justifiable reasons for not being employed.

Accessibility of Studies

The accessibility of studies is measured by the number of graduates who received social scholarships and/or disability benefits for at least one semester during their study period.

Funding from Economic Entities, Non-Governmental Organizations, and Individuals

This metric represents the total funds received by higher education and research institutions during the academic year from economic entities, non-governmental organizations, and individuals for the commissioning of studies and sponsorship agreements supporting study activities. It includes:

• Funds allocated by economic entities, non-governmental organizations, and individuals for the commissioning of studies.
• Donations received under the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Charity and Sponsorship to support study activities, provided that the donation is not anonymous. The residual value of donated assets is calculated accordingly.

Evaluation Results

In 2023, a total of 45 higher education and research institutions were evaluated, 16 universities, 18 colleges and 11 research institutes.
In 2024, a total of 44 higher education and research institutions were evaluated, 16 universities, 18 colleges and 10 research institutes.