scholarly journals Latvia: A Historical Analysis of Transformation and Diversification of the Higher Education System

Author(s):  
Ali Ait Si Mhamed ◽  
Zane Vārpiņa ◽  
Indra Dedze ◽  
Rita Kaša

AbstractThis chapter analyses the trend of transformation and diversification of higher education in Latvia due to political, economic and social changes in the country. Higher education institutions (HEIs) were established prior to Soviet legacy and during the first independence of Latvia in early twentieth century. During the Soviet rule in Latvia, HE was under full state control, organised to serve the needs of the centrally planned economy and the official Marxist-Leninist ideology. When Latvia proclaimed its independence from the USSR in 1990, its higher education system consisted of ten state HEIs; five of which were placed under the Ministry of Education and others were operating under the auspices of the ministries of healthcare, culture and agriculture. Multiple changes have taken place in the sector of higher education since then. The most important accomplishments of the HE reform during the transition period from the centrally controlled Soviet system to a democratically governed system of independent Latvia as reported in literature were autonomy of HEIs, the expansion of the HE sector in terms of the number of institutions and students, the creation of private HEIs, the introduction of HE quality assessment, the development of new study programmes, the modernisation of existing study programmes and the intensification of international cooperation between HEIs in Latvia and abroad. Hence, ensuring transformations of the HE sector involved continuing the diversification of the institutional landscape. Factors leading to this diversification include increased demand for higher education in social sciences, government’s initiated restructuring of higher education, regulation of the use of languages in higher education, secondary education reforms in early 1990s and shifts in demographic composition of higher education students.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jani Ursin

<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"> </p><p class="RESUMENCURSIVA">As in many other European countries also Finnish higher education system has witnessed several reforms over the past decade many of which originate in efforts to make more competitive and affordable higher education system. The aim of this paper is to describe the changes and institutional mergers in particular that have taken place in Finnish higher education and explore what kind of academic identities are constructed amid changes in Finnish higher education. The paper shows that the mergers followed the objectives set by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture for the structural development of the higher education system and that the creation of a joint culture for merged institutions was important yet challenging. The paper also argues that due to these external changes in Finnish higher education there is a tendency to move from a traditional notion of an academic toward more hybrid and dynamic understanding of what it is being an academic in the 21st century.</p><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p>


2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikola Baketa

Abstract: The higher education system of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia displayed three specific characteristics – a) non-integrated universities, b) absence of a federal ministry of education since the 1970s, and b) self-managed Communities of Interest as the decision-maker in the higher education system. Therefore, there was no direct connection between the universities and economic planning. The author considers this to be one of the causes of high unemployment of graduates and brain drain towards Croatia and Serbia. Twenty years after the dissolution of the SFRY, the universities are still not integrated, there aren’t any connections with the market, and the same problems prevail. This paper focuses on the flagship universities from Croatia and Serbia. The author uses the historical institutionalism framework, document analysis and the process tracing method in order to explain and connect these issues. As a conclusion, the author offers three solutions for the reorganization of non-integrated universities.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (10) ◽  
pp. 70-83
Author(s):  
Martha Concepcion Macias ◽  
Javier Hernando Sanmartin

This is a comparative analysis of higher education systems in Ecuador and Bolivia, countries that are characterized by cultural diversity and geographic proximity; its evolution in the higher education system has progressed in recent years with different rate.  Reason given, the aim of this work is to make a comparison, to understand the similarities and differences between the systems of higher education in Ecuador and Bolivia, and thus, we can have a diagnosis in relation to the structure of the higher education system of both countries. In this context, we provide an overview about the situation or reality in which both institutions of Higher Education (IES) are developed. Also, the aspects that distinguish the higher education in these countries such as their regulations are mentioned, their internal political contexts, resources, segments, management, technological evolution; and the change of the political, economic and social model. In this way, a description of the main features of the Ecuadorian and Bolivian higher education systems is made, which is summarized in a comparative chart showing the similarities and differences that characterizes them.


Author(s):  
Dennis McCornac

There is no doubt that the Vietnamese higher education system is in need of serious reform. Corruption is epidemic, and actions must be taken to change the environment in which these practices flourish. The recent decision by the Ministry of Education and Training to adopt new, stricter measures on national exams and the increased media attention on corruption are steps in the right direction. If Vietnam desires to obtain an international standard educational system, required reforms are necessary from all parties. Perhaps, most importantly, there must be a monumental change in the attitude and thinking by students, faculty, and parents. Education is a right and privilege that is earned, not a commodity to be sold by administrators and faculty.


Author(s):  
Nikhila Deep Bhagwat ◽  
Hemant Rajguru

This chapter gives an overview of Indian Higher Education system with special reference to Open and Distance Learning. It enlists the merits and limitations of Open and Distance Learning system. It also focuses on complexities and weaknesses of Indian Higher Education comparing it with the educational policies in other Asian Countries. The chapter describes the limitations of Higher Education System in India and discusses the reforms and restructuring announced by the ministry of education in India. It further unfolds the success story of Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University's ‘School of Agricultural Sciences' by explaining in detail the innovative practices in Agricultural ODL.


Author(s):  
Susanna Karakhanyan

AbstractThe chapter explores the nature of higher education in post-Soviet Armenia given the factors prevailing in the system—historical, political, socio-economic and international. Of particular interest is the exploration of the higher education system structure reflected by social needs, economic demands and political goals. Supported by a holistic theoretical framework underpinning three angles of analysis—horizontal and vertical diversity, external diversity as well as the organisational interrelationships—the analysis endeavours to reveal the driving forces that shaped post-Soviet Armenian higher education, the inter-influence that occurred as a result of changes taking place at the macro and micro levels of the higher education system as well as the impact of those changes on the performance of the Armenian HE in general. The results of the analysis are two-fold. First, throughout the decades the Armenian higher education has made major strides and evolved from a uniform into a diverse system responding and accommodating the diverse needs of the society. Second, albeit the strong desire and much investment in the system through a diversity of channels to make the system internationally visible, still more investments are to be made to achieve the desirable goal of international visibility while facing the challenges related to the Soviet legacy, current policymaking and implementation methodology, in particular.


Author(s):  
Olga Nezhyva

The author considers the peculiarities of formation and development of the education system in Sweden. The author also shows the main factors which had a great importance in the promotion of democratic education and ways to improve it. At the same time the author analyzes peculiarities of modern development strategy of the Swedish education system, taking into account today’s democratization. Also this country has a medieval history not only of its establishment or development of their culture, but also education, which has come a long way of the recovery. It should be noted that the structure of the Swedish system more rapidly developed as a pluralistic, complex and fragmented, with its own dynamics and mechanisms that ensure homogenization / divergence and cooperation / competition. The system includes a remarkable number of institutions of varying size, profile and traditions that are now competing. All Swedish universities are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education. The exception is the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. Thus, universities and university colleges are in direct contact with the relevant ministry. Of course, this led to the fact that Sweden is called as one of educated countries and this country has the best educational model. For the reason that the higher education system has undergone fundamental changes over the past thirty years. The emphasis has shifted from national planning for greater independence and self-responsibility for the institutions. Former collegiate structure in the organs of decision makers in higher education have been transformed into a managerial structure.


2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (05) ◽  
pp. 136-139
Author(s):  
Məryəm Rasim qızı Məmmədli ◽  

The purpose of this study is to study and analyze the experience of distance education in the higher education system of Azerbaijan. This study is a qualitative study that explores distance learning practices, and document analysis of quality methods has been used. The study identified the history of distance education, the world's first distance education schools, higher education institutions. At the same time, during the pandemic, statistical indicators of the change of the form of education and the transition to distance education and the number of students were determined in connection with the suspension of the teaching and learning process in Azerbaijan. The decisions of the Ministry of Education regarding the introduction of distance learning were commented in the study. During the pandemic, the difficulties encountered in starting distance education were identified. Complex events held in educational institutions were discussed. It reflects how distance education is applied in higher education institutions and a number of measures taken by the Ministry of Education to adapt to this form of education, which is a sudden transition for students and educators. Key words: distance education, higher education, pandemic, education system,educational platforms


Author(s):  
Ulviyya Abbasova ◽  
Natavan Babayeva

This article deals with the analysis of some important reforms and innovations implemented in the education sector by the government in Azerbaijan. After gaining the independence Azerbaijan started successfully to move forward towards the  development as an independent country. The country established the close relations with different international organizations and institutions. After Azerbaijan signed on to the Bologna process, the Ministry of Education developed a comprehensive action plan, calling for the modernizing of the higher education system, a transfer to the credit system, the elaboration of new diploma and the recognition of international documents on higher education. As a result, the government of Azerbaijan started the implementation processes of reforms focused on the improvement of the quality of education in order to integrate to international standards. The Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan closely collaborates with major international organizations such as: The Council of Europe, UNESCO, World Bank, UNICEF, ISESCO, EU and so on. Cooperation between Azerbaijan and the EU is carried out within the framework of TEMPUS/TACIS, Erasmus+, Twinning/TAIEX programs. This article provides a brief overview about the above mentioned programs, their application processes, as well as the results and their influences in education system of Azerbaijan .


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