On 19 December 2019, the Minister of Education, Science and Sport signed an order approving a new description of the procedure for external evaluation and accreditation of branches of higher education institutions and foreign higher education institutions, areas of assessment, and indicators. This Order entered into force on 1 March 2020.

The approved description of the procedure regulates the objectives and principles of external evaluation of higher education institutions and branches of foreign higher education institutions established in Lithuania and authorized to carry out studies, as well as the objectives and procedure of accreditation. During the external international evaluation, the activities of the higher education institution are evaluated according to four evaluation areas: management, quality assurance, study, and scientific (artistic) activities and impact on the development of regions and the country as a whole.

According to Inga Stravinskienė, Head of the Management and Quality Unit of Kaunas University of Applied Sciences, preparation for external evaluation of the organization is very important for the international assessment of the quality of the University’s activities.

“Kaunas University of Applied Sciences has been responsibly preparing for external international assessment since spring of this year. This is an important step towards an international assessment of the quality of the University’s activities. This assessment is initiated by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Sport of the Republic of Lithuania and organized by the Study Quality Evaluation Center (SQEC). I recall that Kaunas University of Applied Sciences was successfully evaluated by international external evaluators for the last time – in 2014 – and accredited for the maximum period,” says I. Stravinskienė, Head of the Management and Quality Unit.

In addition to staff from different departments, students, graduates, employers, and other stakeholders are involved in preparing for external international evaluation.

“In the context of self-analysis of activities at the institutional level, relevant data of five years are collected and analyzed, self-evaluation is carried out according to individual areas of activity, distinguishing strengths and aspects to be improved, providing for directions and measures for improvement of activities. The strategic planning of the previous and the new periods of the Kaunas University of Applied Sciences are assessed, which highlight operational achievements, make progress and analyze areas that require more attention to improve performance. This self-assessment process involves the staff and students of Kaunas University of Applied Sciences, based on suggestions and insights from other stakeholders such as employers, alumni, etc. Self-analysis is also based on feedback from students, employees, graduates, employers. The active involvement of the University community in the ongoing surveys is very important for the improvement of the University’s activities,” says I. Stravinskienė.

“The working party groups are currently actively discussing and preparing a self-analysis summary. International experts will come to the University for evaluation as early as the next half-year, i. e. spring 2022,” reveals I. Stravinskienė, Head of the Management and Quality Unit.