EHU could apply for a new permit, if it manages to consolidate its academic and research potential, the Lithuanian Education and Science Ministry has suggested. The future of EHU should be discussed by the government later on Wednesday.
Lithuania’s education and science minister should decide on cancellation of the studies permit for EHU by Feb. 26.
In its negative assessment of EHU operations last December, the Lithuanian Center of Quality Assessment of Higher Education (SKVC) said the conclusion provided grounds for “revoking the authorization to deliver studies and carry out activities related to studies.” In 2014, EHU also got a negative conclusion, the university was accredited for three years only. The latest conclusion gives a negative grade to EHU strategic management and (or) art operations.
EHU said it disagreed with the negative institutional assessment results. According to the top management, the 2015-2017 reforms had a major effect on development of the university’s strategic management, studies and research, a conclusion also drawn by the university’s donors at a donor conference last November. The university said it had also made an official offer to the Education and Science Ministry on a mutually-acceptable deal that would enable the Belarusian university to continue operations in Vilnius.
The EHU is a private university that was established in Minsk in 1992, but was later closed down by Belarus’ authorities. Reopened in Vilnius in 2004, it enrolls nearly 800 students, including 95 percent from Belarus.
EHU’s donors include the European Union and the Lithuanian government, with necessities and support to the EHU also provided by a US-based non-profit organization Friends of EHU and a special organization founded in Germany.