Towards a new higher education law in Lithuania: reflections on the process of policy formulation

Abstract

The process of transition in countries formerly under Soviet domination has involved the necessity to formulate new legislation. This article traces the process of policy formulation in Lithuania as the country moved towards a new Law on Higher Education. It commences by briefly outlining the recent development of higher education in Lithuania and highlights some of the critical issues facing the higher education community. The various phases of the policy formulation process are described and the experience is analysed. The article concludes with a discussion of findings that may be of relevance to others working in the area of legislative reform in countries moving to a market economy.