Joint doctoral programmes: Lithuanian practice

A changing academic and scientific environment, obvious insufficiency of available resources, and the need to increase the quality of studies and research activities as well as their results are among the reasons why higher education institutions all around the world are seeking to cooperate and expand their networks by involving both national and international partners. Joint doctoral studies are the most striking examples of such cooperation in the constantly reforming sector of higher education. Despite the obvious advantages of preparing joint doctoral programmes and providing joint PhD studies, institutions are facing problems which arise from a variety of internal and external sources and are caused by a variety of reasons. The peculiarities of national legislation, established institutional traditions and internal rules, and the cooperation culture are among such reasons. The main obstacles for successful joint PhD studies are formed on the administrative level. Lithuanian higher education institutions are encouraged to prepare a new or to join into existing joint doctoral programmes. However, the headaches of implementation which were named as obstacles often change the initial enthusiasm and good intentions. This article reviews and assesses the situation of joint PhD programmes in the Lithuanian higher education system.