Abstract
The purpose of this chapter is to present a review of Lithuanian engineering education and its related evaluation and accreditation systems. Lithuanian engineering education has changed dramatically in recent years: initially in 1991 after Lithuania separated from the Soviet Union, then in 1999 when Lithuania accepted the Bologna process and very recently in 2004 upon Lithuania’s entry into the European Union. This chapter examines the strengths and weaknesses of the current educational system and, in particular, the assessment of engineering education in the hope that it will enable the further integration of Lithuanian engineering education into the European Higher Education Area. With the 2010 deadline for implementation of the Bologna Process approaching Lithuanian higher education, it is attempting to provide responses to the following questions: What current challenges will persist well into the next few years? Where is European higher education heading? What opportunities is Lithuania facing in an increasingly globalised World?
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Notes
- 1.
Law on Higher Education of the Republic of Lithuania (Valstyb.zinios, 2000, No. 27-715, Valstyb.zinios, 2001, No. 16-496, Valstyb.zinios, 2002, No. 3-75, Valstyb.zinios, 2002, No. 71-2968, Valstyb.zinios, 2003, No. 47-2058, Valstyb.zinios, 2005, No. 85-3136).
- 2.
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is a standard for comparing the study attainment and performance of students of higher education across the European Union and other collaborating European countries. See http://ec.europa.eu/education/index_en.htm
- 3.
Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (CQAHE) is an independent public agency established in 1995. The Centre implements the external Quality Assurance policy in research and higher education in Lithuania and contributes to the development of human resources by creation of enabling conditions for free movement of persons. The Centre was founded by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania as an expert institution. Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (CQAHE): http://www.skvc.lt/en/default.asp?id=0. Accessed December 2008.
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Valiulis, A.V., Valiulis, D. (2009). Engineering Education Quality Assurance: The Essential Pillar of Higher Education Reform in Lithuania. In: Patil, A., Gray, P. (eds) Engineering Education Quality Assurance. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0555-0_15
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