Experts submitted their conclusions on VIKO progress following the institutional evaluation
The Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC) has provided the external experts’ conclusions on the progress made by Vilniaus kolegija / Higher Education Institution (VIKO) in implementing the recommendations issued during the 2022 institutional evaluation. The conclusions were prepared following a meeting between VIKO representatives and international experts held on 15 September, during which the changes implemented at the institution, the progress achieved, and future strategic directions were discussed.
The progress assessment was conducted by Prof. Colin Raban, Professor Emeritus at the University of Derby (United Kingdom), and Prof. Maria Hinfelaar, an Irish higher education expert. The process was coordinated by the SKVC. The experts’ conclusions form part of the follow-up process to the institutional evaluation, which aims to assess how the higher education institution has implemented the recommendations made during the previous external evaluation and the progress achieved to date.
In the 2022 institutional evaluation, VIKO received a positive overall assessment. The areas of management and studies and research (art) activities were rated as very good, while quality assurance and impact on regional and national development were rated as good. The evaluation resulted in 12 recommendations for the College and the identification of eight examples of good practice. In assessing VIKO’s progress across these four areas, the expert panel commended the VIKO’sefforts to implement the recommendations issued in 2022 and acknowledged its consistent and systematic approach to institutional improvement.
In the area of management, the expert panel reported good progress and noted that all recommendations made during the 2022 institutional evaluation had been addressed. The integration of Vilnius College of Technologies and Design (VTDK) into Vilniaus kolegija / Higher Education Institution(VIKO) was identified as a significant development. According to the experts, the integration process proceeded smoothly, providing VIKO with a solid foundation for further strengthening its operations as a unified institution. Although relatively little time has passed since the merger, the experts noted that, in the longer term, the process could serve as an example of good practice within the higher education sector.
The experts also highlighted VIKO’s membership in the HEROES European Universities Alliance. Together with the merger of VIKO and VTDK, this was identified as one of the two most significant developments since the 2022 institutional evaluation.
In the area of quality assurance, the expert panel noted that VIKO had not yet fully implemented all the recommendations made during the 2022 institutional evaluation. This was partly attributed to the fact that the development and consolidation of a unified quality assurance system could only continue following the completion of the merger between VIKO and VTDK. The principal measure taken in response to the recommendations was the development and implementation of a new Quality Manual. The experts positively assessed VIKO’s efforts to strengthen its quality assurance system but emphasized that the Quality Manual should be further developed into a more practical and accessible tool for academic staff and students.
In the area of studies and research (art) activities, the expert panel reported good progress in implementing the recommendations made during the 2022 institutional evaluation. The activities of the Centre for Teaching Excellence and its potential to strengthen VIKO’s quality culture were particularly commended. By providing support to academic staff and introducing new initiatives, such as peer observation of teaching, the Centre plays a key role in addressing the recommendations made by the expert panel in 2022 in this area. At the same time, the experts expressed concern about declining student retention rates and encouraged VIKO to continue analysing the reasons for student withdrawal, taking into account differences across faculties and student profiles.
In the area of impact on regional and national development, the expert panel reported good progress and confirmed that all recommendations made during the 2022 institutional evaluation had been implemented. This progress is further supported by VIKO’s membership in the HEROES European Universities Alliance, which provides opportunities to draw on European-level expertise in assessing and enhancing the institution’s impact. The experts identified the implementation of a new impact assessment methodology in collaboration with strategic partners and the development of professional Master’s degree programmes as key priorities for the future, provided that the necessary resources and an appropriate regulatory framework are in place.
In their concluding remarks, the experts noted VIKO’s continued development as a higher education institution and positively assessed the progress made in implementing the recommendations from the institutional evaluation and responding to the challenges posed by a dynamic environment. During the meeting, VIKO highlighted two major developments since the 2022 institutional evaluation: the merger with VTDK and membership in the HEROES European Universities Alliance. The expert panel agreed that both developments had strengthened VIKO’s institutional resilience and created significant opportunities for strategic development across all areas examined during the progress assessment.
