EDUCATION EXCHANGES SUPPORT FOUNDATION
2007 Activity Overview
2007 Activity Overview
The Education Exchanges Support Foundation is a Lithuanian national agency entrusted with the task to administer the Lifelong Learning Programme, other initiatives funded by the European Commission and the Government of the Republic of Lithuania in the area of general education and vocational training. The Foundation was established in 2007 having merged the EU Socrates and EU Leonardo da Vinci support foundations that had been active in Lithuania since 1998. During that period over one third of the Lithuanian secondary schools have participated in various European partnership projects, over 7000 students of the Lithuanian institutions of higher education, and nearly 3000 teachers were afforded a possibility to gain new expertise while studying or working in the EU States under the Erasmus programme, about 5 000 persons took the opportunity to join the Leonardo da Vinci mobility projects. We are proud to see more than 3000 foreign students since 2000 to choose Lithuania as a temporary place for residence and studies. Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci programmes have for the first time ever offered Lithuanian teachers and students an opportunity to participate in the European cooperation and international mobility projects. Our purpose is to help Lithuanian people to take advantage of the extensive opportunities offered by the international cooperation projects. The specialists at the Foundation offer advice to all those interested and provide information about a range of educational and vocational training programmes, actions and activities. While maintaining close cooperation with the EC Representation in Lithuania, other institutions in charge of managing various EC initiatives and jointly with organisations implementing other programmes the Foundation has been an active participant of various other events: every year it hosts the already traditional meetings of the Baltic national agencies that have become an excellent fora for the discussions of the most topical issues related to the administration of the Lifelong Learning Programme, exchange of information and best practice, dissemination of news on other initiatives offered to education, research and vocational training institutions. The year 2007 was the first year of the activity of the Foundation, and, a rather dynamic one. It is for you now to judge whether the year was a success: 1,672 applications received, 782 grant agreements concluded. In excess of 1,050 various projects are correctly in process and managed, the staff members of the Foundation have hosted 90 events for applicants and project executors, published the promotion and information items of nearly 100 titles, provided personal advice on almost 6,000 occasions. We have assisted in obtaining more than 98 percent of all funds required for the projects. The staff members of the Foundation participated in 6 international promotion projects and have joined three associations – ŽEF (Knowledge Economy Forum), LPVA (Lithuanian Project Management Association) and ACA. We feel fully justified to believe to have worked efficiency after the ISO 9001:2000 Standard compliant Quality Management System was implemented and certified in the autumn of 2007. While planning our activities we are confident that the experience gained and accumulated while working with the programmes and the projects supported by the European Commission will become rather instrumental in successful administration of Nordplus – the new cooperation programme within the Nordic countries and the Baltics. December 2007 was marked by a solemn opening-day of the programme held in Vilnius, and we are accepting the applications for various activities starting from March. We are confident that the Lithuanian education specialists will never lack ideas and the energy to develop new projects and will manage to take advantage of all possibilities generously offered when being part of the international cooperation network. Daiva Šutinytė, Director
2007 Activity Overview
Programmes and projects under the administration of the Education Exchanges Support Foundation LIFELONG LEARNING PROGRAMME: Comenius – school education, Erasmus – higher education, Leonardo da Vinci – vocational training, Grundtvig – adult education, Study visits – visits of education specialists and decision makers, European Certificate is a programme designed to assess and award the innovative language teaching and learning projects. EUROGUIDANCE – vocational guidance and consultations; EUROPASS – the common European skills and qualifications recognition documents; CEDEFOP – study visits for vocational training managers, business representatives actively involved in the vocational training area; ERASMUS MUNDUS – joint master degree programmes and mobility; TEMPUS – education reforms development in partnership countries; BOLOGNA PROCESS – information about the creation of the European area of higher education; ACADEMIC EXCHANGES – State grants and research study placements under bilateral agreements. EUROSKILLS – vocational skills competition. During 2007, the employees of the Education Exchanges Support Foundation were actively participating in various activities. We are the members of the ESF 2.4-085 project “The development of the data base of the science and studies institutions activities and the assessment of qualifications acquired abroad“, actively disseminating the information about the activities of the European Centre for Modern Languages, we have also participated in five projects EC-launched projects for the promotion of Comenius, Grundtvig and Erasmus programmes and two Leonardo da Vinci Thematic monitoring working groups. Nevertheless, our main assignment and activity is the administration of international programmes and projects.
Comenius The purpose of the Comenius programme is to achieve the overall improvement of the secondary education quality and reinforce the European dimension while supporting the international school cooperation and mobility.
2007 Activity Overview
2001–2007. Comenius projects: submitted and financed applications ratio submitted financed
Comenius partnership shall be school cooperation Project jointing the education institutions from the States participating in the Lifelong Learning programmes. The projects are arranged as bilateral or multilateral projects with two years in duration. Comenius partnership budget for 2007 – EUR 1,423,772.00. The Lithuanian general education institutions in total filed with the Education Exchanges Support Foundation 365 applications of which 32 applications were intended for Comenius bilateral partnerships and 333 for Comenius multilateral partnerships. The largest number of applications foe the bilateral Comenius partnerships was filed by institutions from Kaunas and Vilnius counties (6 applications each), 5 applications were received from Panevėžys County, 4 applications were received from each of Alytus and Šiauliai counties. In respect of Comenius multilateral partnerships the Foundation was filed the applications from Kaunas County (85), Šiauliai– 68, Vilnius – 66, Klaipėda County– 36 applications. In 2007, the European Commission amended the Project funding rules. The duration of all projects is two years and the grant shall be also allocated for a period of two years, as opposed to the previously applicable one year grant period. For that reason, the number of funded projects in 2007 decreased and in total the grants were allocated to 145 Comenius partnerships of which 9 were bilateral and 136 multilateral partnerships. The Education Exchanges Support Foundation allocated the grants to bilateral partnerships from Panevėžys County. The largest number of funded multilateral Comenius partnerships was from Kaunas County (38), in Vilnius County 27 grants were allocated, 23 in Šiauliai County and 17 in Klaipėda County. Secondary schools proved to be most enthusiastic about the participation in the Comenius partnerships, as they have filed 28 applications for bilateral partnerships and 258 for multilateral partnerships. We have been observing a growing interest in the matter on the part of the preschool educational institutions. In 2007, among the applicants there were 16 such institutions in addition to 19 applicants from vocational training institutions.
2001
146 108
2002
148 121
2003
182 89
2004
292 183
2005
385 195
2006
398 203
2007
365 144
2001–2007 preparatory visits under Comenius: submitted and financed applications ratio
2001–2007 Comenius improvement of qualifications: submitted and financed applications ratio
submitted financed
submitted financed
2001
43 21
2001
76 39
2002
54 33
2002
54 38
2003
71 37
2003
59 31
2004
90 55
2004
207 113
2005
118 70
2005
207 136
2006
122 61
2006
175 120
2007
90 50
2007
215 116
Preparatory visits. The objective of this activity is to help the representatives
axis under the Comenius programme. The Commission has introduced three
of schools willing to draft a Comenius partnership project get better acquaint-
application filing periods, thus bringing into uniformity the procedure for fil-
ed with the future partner institutions and offer a possibility to jointly prepare
ing of these application in all countries participating in the Lifelong Learning
the project. The budget allocated for the preparatory visits under Comenius
Programme. The largest number of applications for this kind of activity was
programme for 2007 – EUR 55,500.00. During 2007, the largest number for the
received from the general education institutions of Vilnius County (67), fol-
Comenius preparatory visits was received from the Kaunas County (22 applica-
lowed by Kaunas (47), Šiauliai (30), Klaipėda (19) counties. The recipients of
tions), Šiauliai County – 20, Vilnius County institutions filed 19 such applica-
the grants for the Comenius improvement of qualifications activity were most
tions. In terms of the number of grants under this axis Šiauliai County was lead-
numerous from Vilnius County (39), Kaunas (27), Šiauliai (18) and Klaipėda
ing having received 13 grants, followed by Kaunas (11) and Vilnius counties (9).
(19) counties. 180 applications for the participation in the Comenius qualifica-
Like for the partnerships under Comenius, secondary schools were most active
tions improvement activity were filed by specialists from secondary schools,
applicants for Comenius partnerships, having filed 74 applications, of which 38
and 100 of them were awarded.
2001–2007 Comenius assistant traineeship programme: submitted and financed applications ratio submitted financed
were awarded and received funding. 4 applications were filed by pre-school and primary educational institutions that were allocated the grants to visit the part-
Comenius Assistant Traineeship. The purpose of this activity is to pro-
ner institutions or participate in inception workshops.
vide a possibility for the future teachers to enhance their awareness of the European dimension, improve the knowledge of foreign languages, get famil-
10
Improvement of qualifications. The purpose of the activities is to pro-
iar with and learn about other European States and their education systems,
vide a possibility for teachers and other specialists of educational institutions
further improve their teaching habits and skills. The Comenius assistant train-
to enhance their knowledge, develop professional skills and competences,
eeship programme budget for 2007 – EUR 92,454.00. Most of the applications
get better familiarised with the education systems and trends within Europe.
for the Comenius assistant traineeship programme were received form Vilnius
The budget allocated for the Comenius improvement of qualifications activi-
County, and the grants were allocated to 4 future teachers. Participants from
ties for 2007 – EUR 277,365.00. In 2007, the European Commission amended
each of Panevėžys and Kaunas counties filed 3 applications, respectively, and
the procedure for filing the applications for the improvement of qualifications
were granted 3 and 2 grants.
11
2001
24 11
2002
19 10
2003
35 10
2004
25 20
2005
25 19
2006
27 19
2007
25 12
Leonardo da Vinci Leonardo da Vinci programme is designed to promote and support cooperation between the EU States in the area of improvement of vocational training. The underlying goal of the programme is to bring together the institutions of different European States including the vocational training institutions of all levels, local authorities, employer organisations and other public organisations for the purpose of designing of the future vocational training policy.
2007 Activity Overview
2000–2007 Leonardo da Vinci programme mobility projects: submitted and financed applications ratio received financed
Mobility projects. The mobility projects provide for a possibility to visit 31 European countries participating in the programme for the purpose of professional development, improvement or professional knowledge and skills, also go to practical traineeship in enterprises; get better familiarised with the novelties in vocational training area, the most state-of-the-art technologies, exchange experience with colleagues, etc. The total duration of the mobility projects is from 6 to 24 months. In 2007, the allocations for the mobility projects amounted to EUR 1,289,586. Funding was provided to cover the project-related administrative, travel, subsistence and language and cultural preparation costs.
13 12
2000
90 41
2001
68 45
2002
102 56
2003
185 58
2004
193 59
2005
162 65
2006
148 78
2007
93 65
2001–2007 m. Leonardo da Vinci programme mobility projects: ratio of applied and awarded grants (EUR) gant applied grant awarded
During 2007, applications for the participation in the mobility projects under the Leonardo da Vinci programme were received from all 10 counties of Lithuania. The largest number of such applications were received from Vilnius County (30), however counties of Kaunas, Šiauliai and Klaipėda were also
2000–2007 Procedure B (since 2007 – innovations transfer projects) under the Leonardo da Vinci programmes: submitted and financed applications ratio applied projects funded projects
quite active having submitted 10-18 applications each. Currently, the Education Exchanges Support Foundation is administering 143
2001
1 590 195 554 763
2002
2 329 495 593 692
2007 – 65 projects), the grants allocated to the projects total EUR 2,862,386.
2003
2 569 310 609 600
designed to ensure the preparedness for the new Project under Leonardo da
2004
4 702 013 1 226 606
Vinci programme by participating in kick-off workshops hosted by foreign na-
2005
3 888 819 1 323 000
The preparatory visits are being funded from the general programme budget.
2006
3 269 076 1 572 800
2007
2 091 566 1 289 586
of mobility projects under the Leonardo da Vinci programme (in 2006 – 78, and in August 2007 marked the launching of new projects – the preparatory visits
tional agencies or going to meet the potential partners from foreign countries. This year 75 applications have been received applying for the grants for the preparatory visits, of which 34 were awarded by allocating total EUR 30,256.
The Innovations Transfer Projects. The innovations transfer projects are the multilateral projects designed to contribute to the improvement of instruc-
2000
34 2
2001
16 4
2002
27 4
2003
32 4
2004
25 6
2005
17 4
2006
16 4
2007
11 5
tion systems focusing upon the transfer of innovations in the area of vocational training including the linguistic, cultural and legal adaptation of various innovative products developed under diversified conditions. The maximum support for the programme per year has been fixed at EUR 150,000. In Lithuania for 2007, the total allocations from the European Commission funds for the innovations transfer projects amounted to EUR 1,171,847.
2000–2007 Procedure B (since 2007 – innovations transfer projects) under the Leonardo da Vinci programmes: applied for and allocated grants ratio (EUR) grant applied funding granted
Currently, the Education Exchanges Support Foundation is managing 20 projects of the Procedure B (since 2007 – the innovations transfer projects) under Leonardo da Vinci programmes (in 2004 – 6, 2005 – 4, 2006 and 2007 each – 5 projects), the total grant allocations for such projects amounted to EUR 4,282,407.
14
15
2005
4 837 197 958 733
2006
3 526 705 899 254
2007
2 507 177 1 171 847
Grundtvig The objective of the Grundtvig programme is to improve the quality of education of adults and the accessibility of education by supporting the international cooperation among the adult education institutions and mobility initiatives.
2007 Activity Overview
2001–2007 Grundtvig projects: submitted and financed applications ratio submitted financed
Grundtvig Learning Partnerships. The purpose of the activity is to further improve the adult education process according to the European Union standards. The Grundtvig learning partnerships budget for 2007 – EUR 585,077.00. The Education Exchanges Support Foundation was filed by the Lithuanian adult education institutions total 132 applications. The most numerous were the applications filed by the institutions from the Vilnius County (59), while Kaunas, Šiauliai and Klaipėda counties filed, respectively, 20, 12 and 10 applications. In 2007, the European Commission amended the Project funding rules. The duration of all projects is two years and the grant shall be also allocated for a period of two years, as opposed to the previously applicable one year grant period. For that reason, the number of funded projects in 2007 decreased and in total the grants were allocated to 59 Grundtvig learning partnerships.
17 16
2001
10 9
2002
26 16
2003
42 20
2004
69 48
2005
109 57
2006
122 80
2007
132 58
2001–2007 Grundtvig improvement of qualifications programme: submitted and financed applications ratio
and non-profit organisations filed in total 21 applications, of which 10 were funded, the higher education establishments filed 20 applications of which 8
2001–2007 Grundtvig preparatory visits programme: submitted and financed applications ration
were awarded.
submitted financed
submitted financed
Preparatory Visits. The objective of this activity is to help the representa-
2001
10 4
2002
15 11
2003
16 10
2004
48 28
tory visits were received from Vilnius County, totalling 14, Šiauliai County 7
2005
80 34
each. Accordingly, the Vilnius County institutions were allocated most of the
2006
44 39
2007
96 30
tives of adult education institutions willing to draft a Grundtvig learning partnership project get better acquainted with the future partner institutions and offer a possibility to jointly prepare the project. The budget allocated for the preparatory visits under Grundtvig programme for 2007 – EUR 20,000.00. In 2007, the largest number of applications in respect of the Grundtvig preparaapplications and Panevėžys and Kaunas County institutions filed 5 applications grants - 7, while the Kaunas, Šiauliai and Panevėžys County institutions were allocated by 4 grants each.
Improvement of qualifications. The purpose of this area of activity – to enable the teachers, instructors and other persons engaged in adult education to participate in the professional development courses on the European level. Grundtvig improvement of qualification programme budget for 2007 – EUR 67,231.00. In 2007, the European Commission amended the procedure for filing the applications for the improvement of qualifications axis under the Grundtvig programme. The Commission has introduced three application filing periods thus bringing into uniformity the procedure for filing of these applications in all countries participating in the Lifelong Learning Programme. The Education Exchanges Support Foundation allocated 24 grants to part-
18
The largest number of applications for this axis of the activity came from
nerships from Vilnius County and to 9 partnerships from Kaunas County.
the adult education institutions operating in the Vilnius County – 50 (22 appli-
The adult education and continuous education institutions total filed 25
cations awarded), Kaunas County – 18 (10 applications awarded), Klaipėda –
project applications of which 10 were awarded the funding. The non-State
12 (4 applications awarded).
19
2001
15 10
2002
20 9
2003
19 6
2004
26 18
2005
44 20
2006
61 36
2007
39 22
Erasmus Erasmus programme has been dedicated to the promotion of cooperation institutions of higher education, ensuring of the quality of studies, exchange of students, teachers and administrative personnel, development of intensive studies programmes, and the provision of support to language course hosting.
2007 Activity Overview
Institutions participating in the Erasmus mobility programme in 2007/2008. Breakdown by types of higher education institutions
Colleges 26
The year 2007 marked the beginning of the new Erasmus programme stage.
Research institutes 1
Universities 18
During this period some new types of activities have been successfully integrated, such as the students‘ placement in foreign enterprises, training and placements of the academic and administrative personnel of higher education institutions in foreign countries, Erasmus preparatory visits and Erasmus intensive programmed projects. Seeking to become participants in the Erasmus programmes in 2008–2013, as many as 49 Lithuanian higher education institutions filed the applications with the European Commission, of which 46 institutions were awarded the Erasmus University Charter. The Erasmus University Charter is a document certifying that the institution complies with the criteria stipulated by the Erasmus programme, and granting the right to participate in activities under the Erasmus programme. As many as 33 Lithuanian higher education institutions were awarded the extended Erasmus University Charter that entitles the institution to organise the students‘ traineeship placements in foreign enterprises under the Erasmus programmes. The total managed budget for the year 2007 amounts to EUR 4,478,199 of the European Commission funds to be allocated for the implementation of the Erasmus programme in 2007/2008. Each year some additional funding is allocated by the Ministry of Science and Education, thus in 2007, LTL 13,836,000 additional budget funding was granted for the implementation of Erasmus and other EU programmes. Erasmus mobility programme represents the activity enabling the Lithuanian higher education institutions and research institutes authorised, in cooperation with the universities, to organise doctoral studies, organise the student, teacher and other specialist exchanges with the foreign higher education establishments and enterprises.
Mobility programme applications awarded in 2007 (by types of activities) Activities under Erasmus mobility programme Total institutions implementing the students‘ studies mobility programme Total institutions implementing the students‘ traineeship mobility programme Total institutions implementing the students‘ with disabilities mobility programme Total institutions implementing the teachers‘ teaching mobility programme Total institutions implementing the teachers‘ with disabilities mobility programme Total institutions implementing the personnel training/placement mobility programme
21 20
AMI
44
23
1
45
1
38
Teachers‘ mobility development ( visiting teachers)
1999/2000 2000/2001 2001/2002 2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007
22
and Vilnius University organised such EILC courses in January 2008.
institutions. Erasmus mobility programme attracted the interest of 3 research
Erasmus intensive programmes are a short-term study programme joining
institutes, however, the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics was the only
students and teachers from various universities representing the participant
institution that was granted support in 2007 for activities under the mobility
countries. The purpose of the activity is to provide the conditions to students
programme. Currently the activities under the mobility programmes are being
and teachers to work jointly in international groups, in a specifically tailored
258
pursued by 45 higher educations institutions: 18 universities, 26 colleges and
teaching and learning environment, look at the subject from a different per-
332
1 research institute.
spective, exchange experience about the contents of the studies and the
89 174
427 571 648 755
Students‘ mobility development ( visiting students)
2000/2001 2001/2002 2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007
This year was the first year when the programme was joined by research
In the school year of 2006/2007, 42 higher schools participated in Eras-
methods of the studies programmes. The target group of the activity are the
mus mobility programmes. The preliminary total number of students visiting
institutions of higher education and studies. The intensive programmes (IP)
foreign institutions under the programme activities in 2006/2007 – 2082 stu-
are the short-term undertaking bringing together the students and teachers
dents and 755 teachers.
from different participant countries. Prior to 2007, the Erasmus intensive pro-
Although the number of students outgoing from Lithuania has been nota-
gramme projects were managed by the European Commission, in 2006/2007
bly increasing with every year, in earlier years there have been very few for-
school year there were only 2 projects approved under the management of the
eign students coming to study to Lithuania. However, during the recent years
Lithuanian higher education institutions.
Lithuania has become one of the leading States in Europe in terms of the percentage increase in the number of students coming to study to the country. Erasmus intensive language courses (hereinafter – EILC) represent the
624
specialised language courses designed to study the less known and rare lan-
829
guages of the countries participating in the Erasmus programme.
been filed 6 IP project applications, of which one application concerned the project to be renewed, and 5 applications concerned new projects, of which 3 projects were selected and funded including the renewed project.
As of 30 March 2007, the applications to organise the EILC courses were filed
Coordination of Erasmus preparatory visits. The purpose of Erasmus
1194
by 9 institutions: 8 higher education institutions and one language and commu-
preparatory visits is to facilitate visits to future partner institutions to discuss
nication centre, of which 5 institutions were selected and awarded the funding.
cooperation under the Erasmus programme and conclude the inter-institu-
1910 2082
incoming outgoing
As of 30 March 2007, the Education Exchange Support Foundation had
1001
1473
Incoming and outgoing students under Erasmus programme in 1999–2006 (*2006/2007 school year number are preliminary)
In summer of 2007, the language courses were organised by three higher
tional agreements, also the visits to foreign enterprises to discuss the future
education institutions: the Vilnius Pedagogical University, the Vytautas Mag-
cooperation when organising the Erasmus students’ placements, meeting the
nus University and the LCC International University. The Vilnius Pedagogical
partner institutions when intending to participate in the Erasmus intensive
University, the Vytautas Magnus University had two groups of students, and
programme activities.
the LCC International University organised one group of students. Total 80 stu-
By 30 November 2007, the Foundation had received the applications from
dents from 14 and other countries enrolled the courses, including Germany,
9 higher education institutions of which 7 were selected as eligible for fund-
Denmark, Austria, France, Czech Republic, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Poland,
ing. Certain priority was allowed to institutions participating in the activities
Finland, Turkey, Spain, Estonia and Norway. Kaunas University of Technology
for the first time.
1999/2000
36 361
2000/2001
56 624
2001/2002
85 829
2002/2003
137 1001
2003/2004
218 1194
2004/2005
414 1473
2005/2006
628 1910
2006/2007
1008 2082
Approved projects under the Erasmus intensive programme (IP) projects 2007 Institution
Project title
Klaipėda University
MUSTUFE. ”Play Music, Study and Enjoy“ – The International Festival of Chamber Music
Vilnius Gediminas Technial University
MULTISTUDIES Multidiscip linary multinational studies in Informatics– Automation–Robotics
Klaipėda University
A BETTER TOMORROW
Mykolas Römeris University
WASPOLSS Tracking New European Ways in Social Policy, Legal and Social Services
23
Cedefop Cedefop visits are visits intended for political decisiontaking persons, training specialists (researchers and practicians), designed for facilitation of information and expertise exchange.
2007 Activity Overview
The number of subsidies allocated to Lithuania for Cedefop visits in 2000–2007 (Number of subsidies) subsidies granted used
Cedefop visits are visits intended for political decision-taking persons, training specialists (researchers and practicians), designed for facilitation of information and expertise exchange. The target group of the Cedefop Project: vocational training developmental process specialists, representatives of vocational training centres, employer organisations, enterprises, directors of personnel departments, owners of small and medium-sized companies, researchers, etc. Annually two calls for submission of applications are announced under Cedefop Programme. In 2007, the first call for submitting applications was announced until May 18, 2007 (the deadline for submission of applications). For Cedefop tender, 54 applications were submitted. Six places were given to Lithuanian vocational training managers, social partners, representatives of business enterprises, actively participating in the vocational training process, while at the meeting of the Cedefop visit selection commission it was decided to grant funding to the six applications, which were best evaluated by the experts. From January 1, 2008, the Cedefop Programme has been joined to the Study Visit Programme, therefore the second call for submission of applications was announced until October 15, 2007 (the deadline for submission of applications) together with the study visits. Since 2008, this programme will be titled the Study Visit Programme and it will be intended not only for vocational training specialists but also for the specialists of the entire educational system.
25 24
2000
2 1
2001
2 2
2002
3 3
2003
3 2
2004
8 8
2005
11 11
2006
12 12
2007
12
Study Visits Study visits are visits of education specialists and decision-taking persons, aimed at facilitating transna tional information and expertise exchange. The target group of the Project: specialists from the Ministry of Education and Science, administration staff of town and regional educational departments, heads of edu cational institutions, inspectors, teacher trainers, high-quality education specialists, etc.
2007 Activity Overview
The number of subsidies allocated to Lithuania for study visits in 2000–2007 (Number of participants)
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
In 2007, subsidies for the Study Visit Programme of Lithuania totalled EUR 46,093 (31 subsidies). In 2007, two calls for submission of applications were announced for a study visit tender. During the first call to submit applications, 37 applications for study visits were received. Since in total 31 subsidies were allocated for Lithuania in the 2007 academic year, at the meeting of the commission for selection of study visit applications during the first call for submission of applications it was decided to grant funding to 17 best applications (the remaining 14 subsidies were left for the second call to submit applications). In 2007, the first call for submission of applications was participated by 23 organisations, of which 13 are educational institutions (kindergartens, secondary and basic schools, colleges, and universities), 5 town and regional municipalities, and 15 training and educational centres. During the second call for submission of applications, 47 applications for study visits were received. At the meeting of the commission for selection of study visit applications, funding was granted to 20 applications (14 from the Study Visit Programme and 6 from Cedefop Programme). In 2007, in the second call for submission of applications, 47 organisations took part, including 32 educational institutions (kindergartens, secondary and basic schools, colleges, and universities), 2 town and regional municipalities, 6 training and educational centres, 3 institutions providing vocational consultancy services, 2 private capital companies, and 2 other establishments. Since January 1, 2008, the two programmes – the Study Visits and Cedefop – have been merged into one (called the Study Visits) programme, and from January 1, 2008, it has been coordinated in Europe by the Cedefop (European Vocational Training Development Centre) agency.
27 26
5 7 7 8 34 35 33 31
European Certificate The objective of the Programme is to evaluate and award the innovative language teaching and learning projects, present them to teachers, pupils and lecturers, to encourage the wider application of innovative teaching methods and forms in the diverse fields and institutions of language teaching.
2007 Activity Overview
2006–2007 number of applications for European certification competition Nomination
Applications received in 2006
Applications received in 2007
Language Teacher of the Year
3
4
Language Project of the Year
2
6
15
2
Language Teacher of the Year 2007 and Language Project of the Year 2007,
Language Learner of the Year
other competitors for the 2007 European Certificate Programme were awarded
Total:
20
12
The 2007 programme priorities were the preparation of teachers, qualification improvement and stimulation of diversity of the languages offered for learning. The ceremony for the European Certificate Programme awards was held on December 14, 2007 in Vilnius, where the 2007 European Certificate Programme winners were given awards: Language Learner of the Year 2007,
with the letters of gratitude and prizes. Margarita Santos Cuesta, the laureate of the nomination of the Language Learner of the Year, during the event told of how it was most difficult when learning the language to learn to stress the words correctly and to persuade Lithuanians to speak Lithuanian rather than English with her. The title of the Language Teacher of the Year was awarded to Lionė Galinienė, an English language teacher from the Marijampolė College. The teacher, awarded with the European certificate, underlined the importance of the role of the teacher in motivating students to study languages and that today a good teacher not only teaches languages, but also teaches how to learn them. The Language Project of the Year nomination went to the Project of the Institute of Foreign Languages of Vilnius University – Socrates Lingua 1 ”Open to Every Citizen“.
29 28
Academic Exchange under Bilateral Agreements Lithuania has signed cooperation agreements in the field of culture, education, science and sports with 31 countries. Academic exchange programmes with Japan and the Swiss Confederation are annually extended.
2007 Activity Overview
Number of foreign students and scientists who have come to the Lithuanian institutions of science and studies admitting foreigners for studies since September 2007 3
The objectives of the bilateral cooperation agreements are as follows: to 1
support the participation of researchers in the joint projects and programmes; to stimulate the direct relations of the institutions of science and studies; to
1
exchange students of undergraduate and/or postgraduate studies, teachers of the institutions of science and studies, scholars, summer language and culture
1 1
24
course students. Duration of the studies supported by the Academic Exchange Programme is from 3 to 10 months and of placements from 1 to 5 months.In 2007, the Education Exchanges Support Foundation together with the Ministry of Education and Science organised competitions for fellowships for studies and scientific placements (14 competitions), administered agreements on stud-
Vilnius University
24
ies abroad, agreements on scientific placements abroad and agreements on the
Kaunas University
3
use of funds with the Lithuanian institutions of science and studies admitting
Vilnius Gediminas
1
foreigners for studies. Since September 2007, the Education Exchanges Support
Technical University
1
Foundation has concluded 24 agreements for studies abroad, 17 agreements on
Vytautas Magnus University
1
scientific placements abroad and 6 agreements on the use of funds with the
Ĺ iauliai University
1
Lithuanian institutions of science and studies admitting foreigners for studies,
Vilnius Pedagogical University
1
into which 31 foreigners have arrived from September.
applications of Lithuanian nationals for studies and scientific placements abroad in 2007/2008 academic year submitted approved
CHINA
7 6
DENMARK
9 8
HUNGARY
4 3
JAPAN
20 0
CZECH REPUBLIK
MEXICO
3 0
ITALY
16 7
BELGIUM
8 4
POLAND
22 21
ICELAND
2 0
BELARUS
3 3
LATVIA
4 4
ESTONIA
7 7
31 30
25 15
Europass The Europass Project is aimed at promoting the use of Europass documents which would help the EU citizens to get a job more easily, to do practical work or to continue studies in all European Union countries.
2007 Activity Overview
Europass documents issued in 2005-2007
2005 2006 2007
The Europass documents, issued in all EU countries, contain information in the standard form about education, occupational qualifications, the competences possessed as well as skills and competences gained during the placement or practical training abroad. The Education Exchanges Support Foundation in 2007 published once again 4 publications about Europass documents with the updated information and new samples and the joint booklet about Europass and Euroguidance projects: here the Europass Project and its documents are presented. On the initiative of the Europass Project coordinators we started cooperating with job search websites www.cv.lt, www.cvmarket.lt, www.visidarbai. lt, www.naujasdarbas.lt. Those websites gave the opportunity for their clients alongside the Standard CV form also to fill in the Europass CV form. In 2007, the Europass language passport was distributed in foreign language schools, language departments of universities; this document was also presented in the joint event with the European Certificate Programme. Europass documents were distributed in the informative seminars of Leonardo da Vinci, Erasmus, Comenius programmes. In the seminar “Youth in Action�, organised by the Youth International Cooperation Agency, Europass documents were presented to youth, participating in the activity of the European volunteer programme.
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383 695 785
Euroguidance
2007 Activity Overview
The objective of the Euroguidance project is the development of vocational information and counselling in Lithuania and Europe. In 2007, three informative publications, designed for project dissemination, were prepared and published, as well as three methodical publications, intended for vocational guidance specialists. In 2007, the Euroguidance Project coordinators organised four informative and five training seminars, participated actively in various events disseminating information about the Project activity. In 2007, they started cooperating with the Vocational Information Centres, organising joint seminars for pupils on career planning and to circulating publications and films about professions, created during Euroguidance Project. In June-November 2007, events were organised in Ukmergė, Druskininkai, Vilnius, and Šilalė schools of general education. In 2007, the Ploteus portal was further administered, information was disseminated about the portal, questions were answered to foreign and Lithuanian users on learning opportunities in Lithuania, translations, intended for integration of Ploteus data bases into AIKOS systems, were made. In collaboration with Europass Project coordinators a virtual tool “Your Career School” was created, it includes all the products created during Europass and Euroguidance projects. Two cooperation agreements with the Lithuanian Labour Exchange (LLE) and Lithuanian Labour Market Training Service (LLMTS) were implemented. In 2007, under the cooperation agreement with LLE, five films about the most popular professions were created, and in accordance with the cooperation agreement with LLMTS, two publications were prepared and published, trainings for vocational consultants were also organised. Euroguidance Project coordinators participated actively in the development of the vocational guidance system, got involved in the activity of the international working groups “Creation of the Common Euroguidance Website“ and “Training”.
35 34
Erasmus Mundus Erasmus Mundus is a cooperation and mobility programme, intended to enhance the quality of higher education in Europe and cooperation throughout the world by organising high-quality Master courses in the European universities.
2007 Activity Overview
Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses in Lithuania (number of applications) submitted approved
2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007
On March 30, 2007, an informative seminar “Higher Education Programmes and Individual Mobility” was held. The 2007 call for submission of applications for Erasmus Mundus Programme was presented to the staff members of the Lithuanian institutions of higher education and studies, practical information on the preparation of applications was shared and questions arisen were answered.
7 0 8 0 4 0
2007/2008
5 0
2008/2009
7 2
Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses. In 2007, six Lithuanian institutions submitted seven applications: six for partnership projects and one for coordinating project. Kaunas University of Technology intended to participate in three
Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses, approved in 2007
projects, and Vilnius Gediminas Technical University in two projects. After the
in coordination partnership
applications were evaluated by experts, the project “EMSRHS – European Master in Sustainable Regional Health Systems”, coordinated by Vilnius University and the Klaipėda University partnership project “EMBC – Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation” were approved.
Scholarships. Scholarships are granted for students and scholars of other (not EU) countries, willing to participate in Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses.
BELGIUM
3
DENMARK GERMANY GREECE
2
SPAIN
3
2 11 1 14
Until this year the Lithuanian institutions have not got the approved Erasmus
FRANCE
6
mitted only since the year 2008.
ITALY
3
Partnership. This is cooperation between the consortium of the approved Eras-
LITHUANIAN
1
HUNGARY
2
Mundus Masters Courses, therefore applications for scholarships could be sub-
mus Mundus Master Courses (Action 1) and at least one higher education institution from another country. The Lithuanian institutions until this year have not approved
10 8 1
NETHERLANDS
1
Enhancing attractiveness of education. The projects under this Action
AUSTRIA POLAND
1
propagate European higher education. In 2007, four Lithuanian institutions sub-
PORTUGAL
2 1
al University intended to take part in two projects. After expert evaluation of the
SLOVENIA FINLAND SWEDEN
applications, the projects from the Lithuanian institutions were not approved.
UNITED KINGDOM
2
NORWAY
3
Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses, therefore they could not submit applications.
mitted five applications for partnership projects: Kaunas University of Technology, Vilnius Pedagogical University, Vilnius University, and Lithuanian Agricultur-
37
2 6 4 4 1 3
Tempus The Trans-European mobility programme for university studies (TEMPUS) is one of the European Community programmes designed to help the restructuring of higher education systems in the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the Western Balkans and the Mediterranean Sea Region countries. The Programme focuses on the development of the higher education systems in these countries and improvement of the process of social and economic reform through cooperation with institutions from the EU Member States.
2007 Activity Overview
Tempus projects in Lithuania Individual mobility scholarships Structural and complementary measures Joint European projects 13 1
2005
3 3 3
2006
The call for applications was not announced in 2007. Currently, one project for structural measures and four joint European projects are under way, with the participation of the Lithuanian institutions. In one of these, Kaunas University of Technology is the beneficiary. The joint Tempus information seminar was organised for the three successive years in the Baltic countries. On October 5, 2007, it took place in Riga and was designed to celebrate the 15-year participation in the Tempus Programme. Of 83 seminar participants, 33 were the staff members from the Lithuanian institutions of higher education and studies. In the seminar, the European Commission representative Helene Skikos presented Tempus IV stage structure and the planned action schedule, while the representatives of the national Tempus offices from Croatia, Egypt, Belarus and Armenia acquainted with education systems of their countries and shared experience of participation in the programme. Joint European projects are structural projects, organised by the consortium of institutions, possessing the clearly defined goals for restructuring of higher education institutions. Structural measures are the short-termed measures, aimed to support national reforms and other needs. Complementary measures are measures for supporting conferences, organised by the European Commission, dissemination actions or national Tempus offices.
39 38
2004
2 1
Lithuanian National Bologna Expert Group
2007 Activity Overview
Within 2007/2008 academic year, the Foundation implements the project “Lithuanian National Bologna Group”, funded by the European Commission and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania. The key goals are: to systematically disseminate information, acquainting the academic community members of the higher education institutions (students, teachers, administrators) and the staff of organisations, operating in the field of higher education, with the Bologna process objectives, regulations, and the most important documents; to train the academic community members of the higher education institutions and the staff of organisations, operating in the field of higher education (organising national level events, meetings of Bologna propagators with the representatives of higher education institutions and organisations, operating in the field of higher education), how to implement the Bologna process regulations in the specific academic or other activities. The Lithuanian National Bologna Group is constituted of the representatives of the six Lithuanian higher education institutions and students. The Bologna experts disseminate information and provide recommendations, evaluations on the issues of Bologna process implementation in Lithuania, concentrating on the priority areas of Bologna process: – quality assurance (internal and external), – three-cycle system (study programme reform, qualifications system), – recognition (ECTS, diploma supplement, Europass, Lisbon Convention). The Bologna Process Expert Group activity was launched on May 1, 2007. More information on the progress of the Bologna expert project and Bologna process is available at the address www.smpf.lt.
41 40
EuroSkills
2007 Activity Overview
EuroSkills vocational skills competitions are individual and team competitions organised bi-annually at a European level, where young students, pupils and staff members are competing through demonstrations of their vocational skills in solving different practical tasks. The goal of EuroSkills is not only to expand the vocational knowledge of young people, but also to promote excellence in the vocational area. In 2007, Lithuania was officially approved as a member of the European Skills Promotion Organisation (ESPO) and will be able to participate in the 2008 EuroSkills competitions. In March 2007, the National EuroSkills Action Committee was approved by order of the Minister of Education and Science. In 2007, it was convened twice. The first EuroSkills competition will be held in September 2008 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Over 500 young people from 20 European countries will compete for the title “The Best of the Best.” EuroSkills is open for all young people from 17 to 25 years, seeking for specialised vocational knowledge – from builders and florists to Internet website creators and fashion designers. The participants of those competitions will compete in 50 different categories. Young people should demonstrate their vocational skills. They will compete among themselves and will solve practical tasks. The best will be awarded with medals. In December 2007, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania together with vocational schools organised craftsmanship competitions of the pupils of vocational schools – the future florists, car repairers, joiners, hairdressers, cooks, confectioners, waiters and barmen. A total of 79 best vocational school pupils participated in the events. The florists’ competition was attended by 6 competing schools, 24 schools took part in the car repairers’ competition, 20 schools in the joiners’ competition, 10 schools in the cooks’ and confectioners’ competition, 13 schools in the waiters’ and barmen competition, and 6 schools in the hairdressers’ competition. All winners of the competitions became candidates for participation in the 2008 EuroSkills craftsmanship competitions.
43 42
Dissemination of Information
2007 Activity Overview
The key goal and major task of information activities in 2007 was to present the new foundation. A logo and dimensions for the new joint style of the foundation were created at the beginning of the year. Seeking to use the allocated funds and its time more purposefully, in July we prepared and approved the “Communication Strategy.” We hope that by informing systematically and in a coordinated way the potential beneficiaries and the public we shall enhance interest in the opportunities provided by the international support to the education.
Events. The Foundation staff organised information events for the potential and present beneficiaries, as well as participated in the conferences, seminars and discussions, organised by other organisations, also diffusing information on the actions supported by the Education Exchanges Support Foundation. In 2007, as each year, we participated in the exhibition “Learning. Studies. Career.” Last year a total of 70 national and international events of different types were organised: thematic conferences, exhibitions-fairs, information seminars, monitoring seminars, events for the dissemination of results, events advertising the programme or specialised actions. They were attended by a total of 5010 people.
2007 Most Important Events.
2007.04.20. In the constituent conference of the Lifelong Learning Programme, a report was delivered by Odille Quintin, Director General of the Directorate for Education and Culture of the European Commission. During the visit the Director General had meetings with the Minister of Education and Science, the Minister of Culture, and the Youth International Cooperation Agency.
2007.05.21–25. During the Erasmus 20 week in Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda and Šiauliai, thematic conferences and festive concerts were held. Competitions for students and teachers were arranged on the occasion of Erasmus 20.
2007.11.26. The conference of dissemination and valorisation of the results of school improvement projects under Comenius programme “Comenius Projects – a Good Opportunity to Improve School.”
2007.12.10. Nordplus constituent conference.
2007.12.14. An event for awarding the 2007 European certificate laureates and Leonardo da Vinci quality competition laureates.
45
Publishing. An important part of information activities is the publishing and
munication and assistance to support beneficiaries – the Internet website. A
production of information and advertising publications providing publicity to
new website was created aiming to present more clearly all the opportunities
programmes. Project collections, programme activity surveys, research, re-
for support, the opportunities were implemented and will be used in creating
sults of dissemination projects, and information booklets are published. In
thematic forums and discussion groups; already now the website users may
2007, the publications of 30 titles with the total circulation of 44,650 copies
subscribe the most important news, which for convenience are divided accord-
were published; over 18,000 advertising products of 20 kinds were produced.
ing to the programmes. The necessity of such information source shows the
The most popular articles: Erasmus scarves which we give as a gift to the in-
fact that the Foundation website was frequented by 192,000 visitors.
coming students, Euroguidance/Europass bracelets for pupils and cheerful magnets advertising the internet website address of the Foundation.
We understand that good administration of the programmes is important, but also of importance is to show how many good results were achieved
2007 Most important publications.
through the use of the allocated funds. Therefore we invited the representa-
(See picture) The Education Exchanges Support Foundation prepared and
tives of mass media to our events, circulated communications about the most
published the periodical “Vocational Guide 2007” (a book and CD), it was dis-
important events through the BNS news system. We are of the opinion that this
tributed in secondary school libraries, vocational guidance centres and voca-
work yields results, since according to the data provided by the Cission Lietuva
tional information centres.
company, from July 2007 in the national and regional mass media 180 articles
(See picture) We started publishing the Education Exchanges Support
on the Foundation and its administered activities have been published.
Foundation newspaper “We Learn the Whole Life.” We are planning it to be a semi-annual publication. (See picture) Erasmus 20 posters and postcards with an Erasmus 20 anthem, created specially for that occasion. Student photos, sent to the competition “My Erasmus Friends”, were used. Publication (picture) – Mobility projects under Leonardo da Vinci projects, which were most successful in implementing their goals, the results of which were most beneficial to the participants and institutions, are awarded each year. The collection of the 2005 quality competition laureates was published. (See picture) Collections: of the European Certificate laureates (2002 – 2007), Comenius projects (2006–2007), Leonardo da Vinci projects, funded in 2007. The Education Exchanges Support Foundation administers three Internet websites: www.smpf.lt, intended for the support beneficiaries of the programmes administered by the Foundation, and for all those interested in the opportunities of transnational cooperation; www.euroguidance.lt, designed for vocational consultants and those who are choosing the profession or want to change it; www.europass.lt, familiarising with the file of EU documents Europass. In 2007, we updated one of the most important means of our com-
46
47
Monitoring
2007 Activity Overview
One of the most important stages of project administration is the monitoring. Its aim is to ensure the qualitative project activity implementa-
Programme
Number of consultation
tion and the efficient and expedient use of the granted subsidy. To achieve that
approx. 10 000 approx. 15 000 approx. 5000 approx. 5000 approx. 5000
Individual consultations. The Foundation staff provides consultations
Erasmus Comenius Grundtivig Leonardo da Vinci Academic exchange under bilateral agreements TOTAL
permanently to the subsidy beneficiaries on the issues related to the project
Programme
implementation.
Thematic seminars. Counselling seminars are organised for subsidy beneficiaries seeking to supply information on the urgent issues (agreement conditions, quality assurance, dissemination, valorisation, etc.).
Follow-up Visits. The coordinators of the Foundation projects visit the executing organisation, seeking to meet the project administration group, participants, to get acquainted with the project documentation, products, and in-place project publicity strategy. After completion of the follow-up visit, conclusions and recommendations are provided to the project executors. The Foundation staff also participates in the meetings of the project partners, final conferences, exhibitions, concerts, etc.
Analysis and Evaluation of Reports. The coordinators of the Foundation projects verify and analyse the project implementation reports (interim and final) by the subsidy beneficiaries. Where necessary, they are assisted by the external experts.
Audit. In accordance with the established requirements, an audit is conducted to a certain percentage of the administered projects in the project implementing institutions. In 2007, 13 audit visits of such type were undertaken: in 10 Leonardo da Vinci and 3 Erasmus programmes implementing institutions.
approx. 30 000 Number of paticipants
PROJECT MONITORING METHODS
Number of seminars
purpose, in 2007 the monitoring strategy was created and approved.
Erasmus Comenius Grundtivig Leonardo da Vinci Academic exchange under bilateral agreements Study visits TOTAL
6 10 7 14 2
364 608 226 394 130
4 43
185 1907
Programme
Number of visits
Erasmus Comenius Grundtivig Leonardo da Vinci TOTAL
8 10 5 45 68
Programme
Number of reports
Erasmus Academic exchange under bilateral agreements Comenius Grundtivig Leonardo da Vinci Study visits TOTAL
363 21
49
607 250 97 32 1370
The Foundation: Structure and the Staff
Funding
2007 Activity Overview
After merging of the two organisations, the important structural, manage-
In 2007, for the implementation of the Life-long Learning Programmes LTL
ment and cultural changes were unavoidable. Therefore in 2007, efforts were
46,701,000 were allocated by the Directorate for Education and Culture of the
made to improve the Foundation management and work quality, to develop pro-
European Commission and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Repub-
fessional and management competences, to form new organisational culture
lic of Lithuania. Within 2007, 80 percent of the funds allocated for the potential
and to try to understand the expectations of the staff.
subsidy beneficiaries were paid out. In 2007, LTL 5,016,000 were allocated by the Ministry of Education and Sci-
The staff is the most valuable property of the organisation. Current-
ence of the Republic of Lithuania and the Directorate for Education and Culture
ly, the whole staff working in the Foundation are 43 qualified specialists with
of the European Commission for the activities, administration of the centralised
a higher education, more than a half of them are with a Master’s qualifica-
programme, and other project activities.
tion degree, one with a Doctor’s degree. We are the organisation, propagating
Within 2007, five dissemination projects were completed. The funds, allo-
permanent learning, therefore we are delighted that even 30 percent of the
cated from the State budget and the Directorate for Education and Culture of the
Foundation staff is currently involved in studies.
European Commission for the implementation of the foreseen activities, were
The Foundation staff policy is being formed seeking to achieve that the
used by 100 percent.
Foundation employees would be competent specialists in their fields. Developing staff competences is one of the most important tasks of personnel policy. The Foundation is constantly investing in the training and development of its staff. All the Foundation employees have the opportunity to choose freely the courses, training, and seminars that would allow them to improve themselves and to help to achieve the better results in everyday labour activities. Therefore, the best return of those investments, which is received by its staff, is the effective and efficient work, qualitative and professional solutions and competence in their work. Within 2007, the Foundation employees participated in 31
In 2007, for administration of the foundation activities, centralised programmes allocated (MLN, LTL)
Erasmus Comenius Leonardo da Vinci Gruntvig Study visits Bilateral agreements
28,6 6,4 8,8 2,3 0,2 0,7
qualification improvement events.
in 2007, for implementation of the life long programme allocated (mln, ltl)
Director 1
Deputy Director 1
Deputy Director 1
Chief Accountant 1
Higher Education Department 5
Vocational Training Programme Department 6
Finance and i Accounting Departments 5
Office administrator 2
General Development and Adult Education Programme Department 9
Project department 4
Cleaner 0,5
IT specialists 1,5
Information and dissemination specialists 2
Personal specialist 1
50
Lawyer 1
Activity administration Projects Centralised activity
3,9 1,1 0,1
5151
The Steering Committee
2007 Activity Overview
The Education Exchanges Support Foundation is a public legal entity of limited liability, its Founder is the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania. The sole stakeholder of the Foundation is the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania. The Foundation bodies are the General Meeting of Stakeholders and the sole management body – the Director of the Foundation, appointed by the General Meeting of Shareholders. On February 14, 2007, by Order ISAK-208 of the Minister of Education and Science the Steering Committee of the Education Exchanges Support Foundation was approved. Chairman of the Committee is Dainius Numgaudis, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Science. Members: Gitana Jurgelaitienė – Director of the Department of Studies of the Ministry of Education and Science; Arūnas Plikšnys – Director of the General Education Department of the Ministry of Education and Science; Romualdas Pusvaškis – Director of the Department of Vocational and Continuing Training of the Ministry of Education and Science; Virginija Rinkevičienė – Head of the Academic Mobility Division of the Studies Department of the Ministry of Education and Science, the delegated member of the Education Committee of the European Union Council. Jurga Strumskienė – Head, of the International Cooperation and. European Integration Division of the Ministry of Education and Science, the delegated member of the Education Committee of the European Union Council. Jolanta Spurgienė – Chief Specialist of the International Cooperation and. European Integration Division of the Ministry of Education and Science, the delegated member of the Long-Life Learning Programme Committee of the European Union; Daiva Šutinytė – Director of the Education Exchanges Support Foundation.; Jūratė Vlaščenkienė – Head of EU Aid Coordination Division, EU Programmes Management Department, Ministry of Finance. The main functions of the Steering Committee: to submit proposals to the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania and the Foundation on the strategy of implementation of the EU education programmes in Lithuania and national priorities in implementing the Life-Long Learning Programme in Lithuania; to evaluate the activity results of the Foundation, to adopt strategic solutions on the issues of the Foundation activities.
53
Education Exchanges Support Foundation Geležinio Vilko str. 12, LT-0112, Vilnius, Lithuania Phone: +370 5 24 9 7134, 261 0592, fax +370 5 24 9 7137 E-mail: info@smpf.lt, www.smpf.lt
This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
Design UAB „Interse“ Printed UAB „Sapnų sala“ © Education Exchanges Support Foundation, 2008