ENHANCING EMPLOYABILITY THROUGH EDUCATION: Good practice examples of

cross-border cooperation

Baltic Assembly

February 12 - 13, 2015

Šiauliai, Vilnius

Employment by education level:Forecasts for Latvia vs. EU-28

Policy aims for higher education:• Quality• Labour market

relevance• International

appeal

Joint higher education programmes

• Joint programmes are a hallmark of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) set up to enhance the mobility of students and staff, to facilitate mutual learning and cooperation opportunities and to create programmes of excellence.

• “Joint programmes” are understood as an integrated curriculum coordinated and offered jointly by different higher education institutions from EHEA countries, and leading to double/multiple degrees or a joint degree.

• Main regulating frameworks in Latvia: Implementation of joint programmes is stipulated in Article 55(1) of the Law on Higher Education Institutions;

Requirement for education supporting documentation are defined in the CoM Regulation No.202 of 16 April 2013"Procedures for issuing state-recognized higher education documents."

Launched in year 2014 with 1st semester in Klaipeda, following with next semester in Valmiera.

Currently - 12 MA students from 4 countries (LV, LT, EE and Azerbaijan)

Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences and Klaipeda University (Lithuania) JOINT MASTER STUDY PROGRAM International Tourism Events Management (ITEM)

Key points:

• Compliance with the innovations and newest trends in international tourism and events management achievements

• Integration of research, studies and practice (even professional degree isn’t issued)

• Close study relation with tourism industry and direct integration into practice-related projects

• Internationalization and 3-scale ‘zooming’

(local situation / national and European, global view)

• Future development opportunities – closer co-operation with Finland – strong Baltic-Sea Region (as a destination) program, double-diploma with University in Venice (Consortium partner)

Daugavpils University and Siauliai University (Lithuania) Academic Master’s study programme “Nature recreation”

2 study years (4 semesters), Master of Natural Sciences in BiologyGoal: to expand abilities of higher qualification specialists of biology to sustainable utilisation of biological resources to meet people’s recreational needs in natural and anthropogenic ecosystems.

Key points:

• Long-term experience of university scientists working in fields related to nature protection;

• Modern nature research basis, laboratories;

• Acquisition of innovative methods to assess the biota condition and quality of recreational territories, independent applied research;

• In 2007, the Strategy for Ecological Collaboration of Universities has been signed, students’ and teaching staff’s academic exchanges within Erasmus (Erasmus+) programme framework proceed.

Rezekne HEI and Siauliai University (Lithuania)Professional BA programme “Social Work and Social Rehabilitation”

Duration 4 years (full time); A degree and professional qualification: Social Worker and Professional Bachelor Degree of Social Work.

Key points:• Wider employment opportunities in the national and in the international labour market;• Lecturers and internship supervisors from Lithuania, Latvia end other countries;• An intercultural student group;• Improvement of English and other foreign language skills;• The most recent literature and electronic publications;• Active, creative learning methods and mobile technologies;• Professional internship in Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria and other foreign countries;• 2 diplomas of higher education acquired during 3 or 4 study years.

Ventspils University and Krems University of Applied Sciences (Austria) joint MA programme “International Business and Export Management”Goal: to prepare high quality specialists who are able to make their successful career in international business and export management.To be launched on September 1, 2015; 20 to 35 students in a cohort.Key points:• Upon graduation graduates receive two diplomas • Structure of the study programme is based on module

principle, it is possible to combine studies and work;• Two-year study programme comprises courses on general

topics and specialized courses;• Excellent networking and career opportunities.

Challenges of implementation

• Administration and coordination of joint programmes – can be burdensome. Visa issues for non-EU students; • Incompatibility of systems - legislative base is designed around the Latvian

educational context, differences in education systems in other (even EU) countries not accounted for. Effects – engaging in wider consortia requires a separate law, hampers building a network of joint programs and internationalization in general.• Only formal requirements in Latvian legislation provided. Procedures of

implementation not stipulated: matriculation, recognition of prior learning, cross-border financial settlements, etc.;• Interdisciplinarity – not adressed. Regulation for cross-disciplinary studies

needed.

Opportunities for improvement

• A more flexible normative basis respecting the regulation in other countries in the EU Area of Higher Education, provided, they do not conflict with the international agreement.

Main issues to focus on:- The program division in academic and professional – viable? - Study cycles (Level 1, Bachelor, Master), their scope and duration;- Titles of awards and qualifications (in Latvia strictly regulated by academic and 2nd level professional HE standards, abroad - more flexible).

• Funding - for results and further development of joint programs, synchronization of study places in partner universities.

State funding and EU Structural Funds 2014-2020 for the development of joint programmes

Restructuring the allocation of study places (strategic specialization, STEM);Performance based funding – new performance based HE funding model to support internationalization and mobility of students and staff.

SF activity: Development, approbation and international accreditation of joint doctoral study programs and study programs in the EU languages, including costs of accreditation to international professional organizations; international publicity of developed and accredited study programs. Within the implementation of activities, the principle of equal opportunities and positive discrimination will be supported.

Total SF funds: 10,81 MEUR, incl. 9,19 MEUR ESF, indicative start: 2016

The Latvia–Lithuania Cross Border Cooperation Programme (ERDF)

Main objective is to promote sustainable and equal socio-economic development in border regions to make it competitive for economical and business development and attractive for living and visiting.

A number of projects have been implemented in 2007-2013 programming period to improve the quality and accessibility of education in the border areas.

In 2014 – 2020 programme implementation period total 80 MEUR available, about 100 cooperation projects.Priorities: • Supporting and promoting sustainable use of environmental resources;

• Supporting business creation and labour mobility and providing opportunity for people to obtain necessary skills for employment;

• Contributing to the reduction of social exclusion in the regions;

• Facilitating cooperation and access to public services across and along the border.

Cooperation Project for Social Inclusion: Good Practice

• LAT-LIT project "Designing a Model Geared towards Participation of People at Social Risk Groups in the Labour Market” (LLIV-223 MODPART)

- Siauliai University (LT)- Personality Socialization research institute of Rezekne Higher Education Institution (LV) • Exchange of students of Kinesitherapy, Motion

Correction, Health Educology, Special Education and Social Education (practical classes; trainings)

Cooperation Project for e-Learning: Good Practice

• LAT-LIT project "Use of multimedia and interactive television to improve effectiveness of education and training” (LLIV-343 INTERACTIVE-TV)

- Ventspils Digital Centre (LV)- Ventspils University College (LV)- Kaunas University of Technology (LT)• Common platform for e-studies (work

safery, marketing, ect.), experience exchange, common publications and researches.

Cooperation Project for e-Learning: Good Practice

• LAT-LIT project «Synergetic approach with eLearning, TV and mobile technologies to promote new business developments» (LLIII-183 eBig3)

- Riga Technical University (LV)- Liepaja University (LV)- Latvia University of Agriculture (LV)- Kaunas Technological University (LT)- Siauliai University (LT) -Utena Labour Market Training Centre (LT)• Joint computer-assisted e-learning platform

with TV and mobile communication technologies

Cooperation Project for Maritime Education and Training: Good Practice

• LAT-LIT projects «Establishment of Knowledge and E-services centers for seafarers at LMA and LMC» (LLV-386 KEC), «Improvement of the Competitiveness of Lithuanian-Latvian Maritime Sector Engineers» (LLIV-289 LTLVMARINE ENGINEERS)

- Liepaja Maritime College (LV) - Lithuanian Maritime Academy• Common methodological materials in ENG, shared

equipment, renovation of premises, experience exchange, common platform for e-studies.

Project for Vocational Education: Good Practice

• LAT-LIT project «Improvement of the vocational education according to the needs of labour market» (LLIV-265 VocEdu)

• LV: Cīrava Vocational Secondary School, Kuldiga Technology and Tourism Vocational Secondary school, Laidze Vocational Secondary school, Liepāja Technical College, Saldus Vocational Secondary school, Skrunda Vocational Secondary school, VentspilsTechnical College,

• LT: Vocational Training centre of Panevezys, Panevėžys business advisory centre, Kaunas Food Industry and Trade Training Center, Kaunas University of Applied Engineering Sciences, Kaunas Builders’ training center, PI “Siauliai region development agency”, Skuodas agricultural business, trade and services school, Jelgava Technical College

• Common curricula development (twin-schools), equipment for vocational schools, promotion of vocational education.

Next Programming period (2014-2020): Directions of cooperation• Joint education institutions (for arts, defence structures);• Joint e-studies platforms (open university);• Joint study programmes;• First calls for INTERREG projects (LAT-LIT, EST-LAT) – Spring 2015;• Priorities: - «Integrated labour market» (EST-LAT) - «Supporting business creation and labour mobility and providing opportunity for people to obtain necessary skills for employment» (LAT-LIT)

Cooperation: Research Infratructure (INTERREG project proposal)• Indicative implementation – 2016-2019• Project partners – Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia• Main activities: - Creation of a common database of the Baltic region's RI; - Mapping and analysis of needs for development of existing Ris; - Identification of specific knowledge required in the management of RIs assets and development of a training programme; - Capacity building of RIs operators in order to attract customers and ensure external financing.

Cooperation: RIS3 monitoring (INTERREG project proposal)• Indicative implementation – 2016-2019• Project partners – Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia•Main activities:- Sharing the methodology and practice of RIS3 implementation and monitoring;- Matching research abilities un business needs at macro regional level;- Identification of macro regional value chains;- Baltic region R&I future foresight activity;- Promotion for Baltic regional specialization at global scale.

Thank you!