UPDATE

Progress Report on Higher Education Reform

THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

Field Proposal 2015 State of play 2016 State of Play

2017 State of Play

Managing resources &

reforms in HE

Implement Dubrovnik recommendations (monitoring through quarterly reports from HEIs)

- In 2015, the Strategy for Entrepreneurial Learning was adopted, which addresses the role of higher education.

- As member of CEEPUS, the country continues activities of regional character, including students/staff mobility and networking.

- In March 2015 the country became a governmental member of the General Assembly of EQAR.

- The Ministry of Education and Science provides scholarships for II and III cycle studies. HEI staff members are eligible for applying.

- Projects for equipping HEI and research institutes with contemporary laboratories, as well as for translation of textbooks from top universities, have continued.

The Ministry of Education and Science provides different types of scholarships for students of first and second cycle. The project ‘Translation of 1000 books and textbooks used at top universities of the USA and the UK and at the most renowned ones from France and Germany in the field of law’ will continue in the period 2017-2019. Total of 200 additional books will be translated, with dynamics of 50 titles per year.

The investment in HE

infrastructure continues in the

period 2015-2016:

The reconstruction and

adaptation of a building in

Ohrid provides modern

premises for functioning of

the University for

Information Sciences and

Technologies. For this

purpose around 618,000

EUR were used from the

National Budget.

Currently, around 59,000

1.Entrepreneurship and Innovation are

part of the HE study programs.

In late 2016 Ministry of Local Self-government with support of GIZ in Macedonia has developed Regional Innovation Strategies for all 8 planning regions. Within the recommendations and Action Plan there are number of measures which are focused on Higher Education (developing Entrepreneurial HUBs for students; increasing triple helix activities, etc.). This is a good example how recommendations from National Entrepreneurial Learning Strategy and National Innovation Strategy are implemented on the Mezo level (8th planning regions).

2.The Ministry actively participates in the work of the General Assembly of the EQAR. 3. The main activities of CEEPUS are

related to university networks, operating

joint programs ideally leading to Joint

Degrees, especially Joint Doctoral

Programs. CEEPUS covers mobility grants

for students and teachers in this framework.

CEEPUS III has entered into force on May

1, 2011 for a period of 7 years. Following

that, CEEPUS III will be renewed

automatically for another 7 years.

- In 2014-2015 the investment in HE infrastructure has increased.

- In 2015, the Government provided vouchers for students from III and IV year of studies who had applied to the public call to purchase tablets.

EUR are being invested

for provision of

contemporary installations

and for connection of the

reconstructed building to

the infrastructural

networks.

In November 2015

activities for construction

of new buildings for the

Faculty of Physical

Education (around

7,040,000 EUR from the

National Budget) and for

the Faculty for Information

Sciences and Computer

Engineering (around

12,760,000 EUR from the

National Budget) of the

University ‘Ss. Cyril and

Methodius’ – Skopje has

started.

In accordance with the

2015 Programme for

development of student

standard, the following

activities were

implemented:

The reconstruction of the student

dormitory ‘Goce Delchev’ in

Skopje that started in 2014 was

finalised in August 2015 (around

The data for the Higher Education Sector

are as follows:

Total agreements for both faculties are as

follows: (Faculty of Computer Science and

Engineering and The Faculty of Physical

Education, Sport and Health) = 1 244 126

941 Denars

A total realization for both objects for the

period from 15th of December 2015 till June

2017 amounts to 129.611.316 Denars which

is 10% of the realization for both objects

and the deadline for finalizing the

construction is end of the year 2018.

These scholarships are awarded to students on annual level: - а) First group – 1.500 scholarships for

students of social categories -3300 Denars b) Second Group- 4400 Denars - 630 scholarships (590 scholarships for students in the first cycle at public universities and 40 scholarships in the first cycle at private universities) for students who achieved high success, for the students at technical faculties and medical studies who achieved average score from the first to the current study year of at least 8.50 and for the students at the faculties of social and humanitarian sciences and art faculties have to have scored at least average grade 9. - 125 scholarships (105 for students at the first cycle at public universities and 20 scholarships for students in private

1,353,000 EUR investment from

the National Budget). Additional

93,000 EUR were invested for

interior design and furniture.

Students started using the

reconstructed part of the

dormitory in November 2015.

The preparation of the technical

documentation for reconstruction

of block A and block C, the

canteen and for renovation of the

parterre of the student dormitory

was prepared. The reconstruction

of the block A is in progress

(investment from the National

Budget of around 1,450,000

EUR).

Public call was announced for

purchasing equipment

(replacement of the complete

inventory) in all student

dormitories. The investment

amounts to 1,500,000 EUR.

The public call was completed

and the company was selected

which will replace the old

elevators in the student

dormitories with new ones. The

investment amounts

approximately to 245,000 EUR.

Public call was announced for

universities, for students with average grade of 9, 00 (IT studies - 6050 Denars. c) Third group – 530 scholarships (500 scholarships for students in the first cycle at public state universities and 30 scholarships for students in the first cycle at private universities), for students who study natural sciences, technical-technological, bio-technical, and medical science and the student have to have achieved at least average grade of 7,00 - 3300 Denars - 105 scholarships (70 for students of Macedonian nationality at public and private universities), who have achieved 7,00 and are studying at one of the following groups: (300 Euros a month)

- 20 scholarships for chemistry, - 20 scholarships for physics, - 30 scholarships for maths, (35 scholarships for minority groups students at private and public universities with average grade of 7,00 (300 Euros a month) - 10 scholarships for chemistry - 10 scholarships for physics, - 15 scholarships for math. For reconstruction- there is a new equipment for 10 student halls in the cost of 100 000 000 Denars. (5500 students were granted place in the dormitories).

construction of two new modern

student dormitories.

- As part of the economic measures of the Government, public call for students who have enrolled third or fourth year of first cycle studies for the first cycle until November 2014 (academic year 2014/15) was announced. Students of two categories:

from families with total monthly income up to 500 eur and students with special needs had the right to apply for vouchers for buying tablets. Out of 7.200 applicants, 4.570 students were awarded vouchers amounting 8.000 MKD (approximately 130 EUR) each. The applicants who did not fall in the above mentioned categories mentioned did not receive vouchers.

Modify the regulatory framework and funding for innovation activities

‐ In 2013 the Law on

Innovations was adopted and the development of the structures is in progress.

‐ In 2014 the Fund for

Innovations was established and became functional. With support

Out of 78 applicants, 16 beneficiaries have been awarded funding in total of 458.700 euro. One project with duration of 6 months has been completed. The other 15 projects are in the fourth quarter of implementation. The National Fund for Innovations and Technological Development is continually monitoring the project

During the period 2015-2016 three open calls have been announced. A total of 37 projects have been granted to SMEs

30 projects under the Instrument for support Co-financing Grants for Newly Established Companies: Start-up and Spin-off

7 projects under the Instrument for

of World Bank loan, around 9M EUR will be provided to HEIs and companies for different categories of grants.

‐ In February 2015 the first

call for co-financing grants for start-ups, spin-offs and innovations was announced. Out of 78 applications, the first grant holders were selected.

implementation. Information on the co-financed projects can be found on the following link: http://www.fitr.mk/close-calls/previously-funded-projects-for-co-financing-grants-for-start-up-spin-off-companies-and-innovations/?lang=en. The second call under the instruments I (Co-financed Grants for Newly Established Enterprises ‘Start-up’ and ‘Spin-off”), II (Co-Financed Grants and Conditional Loans for Commercialization of Innovations) and III (Co-Financed Grants for Technology Transfer) has been announced in September 2015 with a total budget of 1.300.000 euro for all three instruments. A total 17 new beneficiaries have been awarded funding under the second call (10 under the first instrument and 7 under the second instrument) in total of 868,314 EUR.

So far, the Fund has supported projects in the following industries: ICT, mechanical engineering, electro engineering, agriculture, mineral production, creative industries, construction, etc.

Through the granted projects so far a total of €449.213 private funding has been mobilized for R&D and commercialization of

support – Co-financing Grants and Conditional Loans for Commercialization of Innovations.

Nineteen (19) of the granted projects have been successfully implemented; 6 projects are pending approval of their Final Report by the Fund; 11 projects are in implementation and 1 project has been terminated upon beneficiary’s request. The fourth open call for awarding funds has been closed in May 2017 and the evaluation procedure for awarding funds is ongoing. The final decision for awarding funds should be taken by the end of July 2017. The budget allocated under the fourth public call is 1.450.00, 00 euro. During the three-year period there was an audit of the rulebooks for the management of the funds and for the instruments for support “Co-financing Grants for Newly Established Enterprises: start-up and spin-off” and Co-financing Grants and Conditional Loans for Commercialization of Innovations” based on the lessons learned from the implementation of the grant-schemes. The rulebooks for the instruments for support “Co-financing Grants for Technology Extension” and “Co-financing Grants for Establishment, Operations and Investment of Business-Technology Accelerator” are currently in final phase of revision in close consultation with the WB.

innovations by the SME beneficiaries.

Strengthen the managerial capacities

in universities; Implement an IT-

supported administration system

- In the framework of the SKILLS project supported by the World Bank activities are in progress for establishment of and Electronic Management Information System (EMIS).

In the framework of the SKILLS project supported by the World Bank activities are in progress for: - Development and establishment of Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS), central data base for the needs of MoES which will be connected with the MIS of the universities. The project so far provided technical assistance in the design of an integrated EMIS for student affairs, academic programs, human resources management, budgeting and financial management, and infrastructure management. The design also includes a module for common admission system at higher education institutions, if the MOES decides to peruse with this initiative. The managerial capacities in universities should be strengthen through the governance reforms of the universities which are necessary with the implementation of the new funding model of the HE.

More transparency in the recruitment and

management of staff, as well as drafting of

financial reports

‐ Electronic versions of the bulletins of the universities are published on the official web sites of the institutions.

All these aspects are covered within the SKILLS Project and reform options have been elaborated in the draft report “Design and Implementation of a Sustainable Funding Model for the Macedonian Tertiary Education System’ and with the Report “Modern Governance for the Macedonian universities: International trends and reform options” prepared by the international consultant. The report summarizes a range

of approaches that the Government of Macedonia could decide upon in elaborating the new funding system accompanied with new governance of the universities.

Establish special

career centres and offices for student affairs within HEIs.

‐ Career centres are being

established. ‐ All HEIs have offices for

student affairs.

Such Career Centers are established at the

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and

Faculty of Economy within the University

Ss. Cyril and Methodius (public universities)

and American College and South-East

European University ( private universities).

The two largest public and two largest

private HEIs in the country have career

advising centers (open to students from all

faculties/departments).

All HEIs have offices for student affairs.

Improve communication and coordination among

various national authorities; involve

business and relevant stakeholders in

reforms.

‐ According to the Law on Higher Education, each HEI has to establish a Board for Trust and Cooperation with the Public. Among others, members of the Board are representatives of the business community.

‐ The HEIs have established

boards of trust and cooperation with the public. Capacity building and strengthening of their role will be supported with the IPA Twinning project ‘Developing Cooperation between HEI, Public Sector and Relevant Public Bodies’ (planned to start in June-July 2016).

The Boards are established on each faculty and there are measures undertaken for developing efficiency of their functioning.

Redefine the

modalities of the funding of HEIs to allow for private sector financing

‐ One component of the

SKILLS project supported by the World Bank is dedicated to reforming the system for financing

‐ Activities are in progress in the

framework of the SKILLS project.

The draft report “Design and Implementation of a Sustainable Funding Model for the Macedonian Tertiary Education System’ is prepared by the international consultant. The report

higher education. ‐ Activities for reforming the

system will be taking place in the period 2015-2019

summarizes a range of approaches that the Government of Macedonia could decide upon in elaborating the new funding system. After the careful review of ‘pros” and “cons” of each funding reform options outlined in this report, the Government would also need to make a number of decisions that will determine how the detailed preparation of the new funding model moves forward. The decisions are related to the different possibilities in resource mobilization, resource allocation and governance reforms.

Develop strategic plans, based on

strategic objectives of the universities;

Improve support for participation in

international projects

‐ The HEIs are actively participating in Erasmus+ since 2014.

‐ Since 2014 the HEIs are involved in Horizon 2020.

‐ The participation continues in the third phase of the CEEPUS programme

‐ Activities in progress. Preparation of the strategic plans is a key

component of the process of implementing new funding and governance model of the universities elaborated by the international consultant. All institutions should elaborate a strategic plan at regular intervals to guide their development and transformation. This would include the definition and monitoring of key performance indicators and, in many cases, extensive reliance on benchmarking.

Support for participation in international projects is envisioned and planned through the establishment of the National office for technology transfer.

The successful work and implementation of the EU Programmes is under way.

National Qualifications

Framework

Establish a national body to manage

the NQF; coordination

among stakeholders and implementation

- In 2015, a unit for NQF

was established within the Ministry of Education and Science. Staffing is in progress;

‐ Workshops and conferences involving all stakeholders were organised;

‐ In the second half of 2015 the National Board for NQF will be established;

‐ The establishment of the Sector Committees will take place as well.

- The National Board for NQF

was established and is functional.

- The British Council supports

the activities for establishment of the first Sector Committees in IT and tourism.

The Board adopted Terms of Reference. Several members were trained and criteria for members of sector committees are adopted. The sector committees are expected to be established and the prepared bylaws and guidelines are expected to be adopted.

Develop a glossary of NQF LLL terms for all stakeholders

‐ The Law on NQF gives definitions of basic NQF LLL terms.

In progress.

Complete self-certification of the

National Framework for

Higher Education Qualifications

‐ Self-certification of the

NQF for Higher Education Qualifications will be part of the Referencing Report of the NQF to EQF. The preparation of the Report is in progress.

‐ It is planned to complete the Referencing Report by the end of 2015

- The Report on the EQF

Referencing of the Macedonian Qualifications Framework and the Self-Certification to the QF-EHEA was adopted by the EQF AG in February 2016.

The Roadmap activities are followed up.

Develop a higher

education qualification

register related to

‐ The register of higher

education qualifications was developed with around 1.190 HE

Development of Qualifications Register is under way.

learning outcomes and the labour

market

qualifications.

Establish NQF taking into

consideration the needs of the labour

market and the strategic national

goals

- With support of the British

Council training programmes with cooperation of representatives of different branches of employers were prepared.

- Activities in progress, with support of the IPA Twinning project for further development and implementation of NQF and of the British Council.

The activities are under way.

Research

Increase investment and

strengthen capacities of HEIs

to carry out research activities

‐ The capital project for establishing laboratories in HEI has contributed to strengthened capacities for carrying out research activities

‐ HE Law demands HEIs invest part of the students participation in research activities

Activities in progress. So far, 18 laboratories have been accredited for providing services to companies, public institutions and individuals.

- Published Announcement for Allocation of Financial Assets for Organizing Scientific Gatherings in 2017; - Published Announcement for Allocation of Financial Assets for Participation of Domestic Researchers on International Gatherings in 17 - Additional 24 laboratories are in procedure for accreditation; - Approved 13 Macedonian – Chinese scientific research projects in the field of: biology, veterinary medicine, fishing, food and wine, pharmacognosy, IT and automatics, computer technique and informatics, exegetics, construction, management, quality control, earthquake engineering, digital economics, environment and telecommunications, for realization of the next two years period (2018 – 19).

Establish specific criteria and use foreign internat'l experts for peer-review and analysis of projects

Better coordination and cooperation

between stakeholders and

better use of available

infrastructure.

So far 18 laboratories have been accredited

and 24 are in procedure of accreditation.

These laboratories are of benefit to the

scientific field, the students but also the

economy sector.

Organize thematic

projects and conferences with strategic goals in order to attract

more international projects and

doctoral students

The Department for Research, Technological Development and Technical Culture organizes capacity building events aiming at increased participation of the country in Horizon 2020.

The Department for Science and Innovation continues with the activities for promotion the EU programme for research and innovation “Horizon 2020”. Capacity building events are still high on the agenda of this Department aiming at increased participation of the country in Horizon 2020.

Offer immediate

career placements to outstanding

graduates, rather than waiting for

them to start postgraduate

studies, as per law

‐ The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy offers loans to young people up to 29 years old for starting their own business.

Continuing

Define the status of doctoral candidates which would allow

them to work in HEIs

‐ Assistant-PhD student title

was introduced with the HE Law for enabling PhD students to work in HEIs, as well as for engaging them on on-going research projects as young researchers.

Continuing

Foster special

interdisciplinary public-private

partnerships for funding projects

and post-doctoral students

‐ The Government fosters these activities mostly through the implementation of the Innovation Strategy.

Linking HE to the labour market

Strengthen the link between

universities and the private sector; Co-

operate with enterprises to offer

internship possibilities and job

placements

The one-year project “Macedonia employs” was started, offering tax benefits for companies employing young people. ‐

In the academic 2014/2015 a total number of 43.107 students take part in the technical education, and a number of 23.080 students take practical training. Part of the practical training is realized in schools and part of it is realized in companies. Practical Training has been realized in 1011 companies by a total number of 13.302 students, or 58 percent.

Work with the

business sector in order to determine

labour market needs

The Employment Agency has conducted a survey on Analysis on the needs for skills on the labour market in 2015 (carried out in the period October-November 2015). A total number of 2861 employers were under survey.

It was planned the Employment Agency to conduct a survey for analysis on the needs of the labour market, in the period from October to November

As part of the Skills Development and Innovation Support Project (SKILLS Project), and in cooperation with the business sector, 14 analyses for economic sectors were developed. Analyses are comprised of review of the types of vocations as part of the sector and the changes foreseen in the employment schemes.

Provide specific training to VET

teachers to enable them to adapt their teaching according

to labour market

The VET Centre prepared a programme for training supervisors in companies as well as for training VET teachers for adapting the teaching process according

The plan and the curricula for vocational and didactic training of trainers from the employers (mentors from companies) have been prepared. A total number of 79 mentors from companies have

needs to labour market needs. Training sessions are taking place in different parts of the country.

been trained in 2015.The trainings were organized under the USAID project as part of the YESS Network. In 2015 there was a pilot programme and a number of 53 teachers were trained in companies. The trainings were organized by the USAID Project, YESS Network. A total number of 20 mentors from companies were trained. The trainings were organized by the USAID Project, YESS Network.

Enhance the

tracking system to provide specific

data on the employment of

graduates

Tracking of graduates is part of the activities undertaken by the Career centres of the universities. With ETF support, a workshop was organised for training university staff and VET schools for planning and carrying out tracing of graduates.

A total number of 29 mentors from companies

have been trained. The trainings were

organized by the Chamber of Commerce in

the Republic of Macedonia.

Pursue fiscal policies that will encourage and

motivate employers to cooperate with

HEIs (government)

The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy along with the Ministry of Finance offer different kind of tax benefits for companies to motivate this kind of cooperation. ‐ Over 600 companies in 30

Within the scope of the SKILLS project

supported by the World Bank, the project has

started with implementation of Skills

Observatory. The overall aim of the Skills

Observatory will be to fill in the related

information gaps that exist at the moment by

providing adequate analytical and

municipalities have been contacted within the Forums organised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy.

informational background and consequently,

facilitate the process of:

- Providing adequate, profound and rich diagnosis of the actual needs of the employers and the actual supply of existing educational programs and facilities. - Enhancing matching of skills between those supplied by educational institutions and those demanded by employers. - Support decision makers in putting together the appropriate education/training/active labour market policies that enhance job matching and facilitate alignment of skills in the labour market. The SKILLS Project together with the European Training Foundation (ETF) has conducted a tracer study for TVET and higher education employment outcomes of graduates. The local consultant for analyzing and evaluation of the data collected has been hired by the ETF. Further data analysis will be made by the international consultant hired by SDIS Project. It is expected that the final report of conducted analysis will be submitted in September 2017.