Vilnius University Receives the Highest Results of the Assessment of the Quality of Research in the Country

The Research Council of Lithuania has announced the results of the Comparative Expert Assessment of Research and Development Activities of Lithuanian Institutions for 2018–2023. The results show that Vilnius University (VU) is the leader in a number of areas. The highest assessment score – five points – for the quality of research in Lithuania was awarded to four VU fields – biochemistry, ethnology, philology, and philosophy. Regarding the cumulative estimate of all three criteria (quality of research, impact, development potential), two of the VU fields – biochemistry and history and archeology – were the only ones in Lithuania to receive the highest score of 14.5 (out of 15).

‘Such assessments help higher education institutions to both determine the quality and directions of their activities more accurately and to critically evaluate the areas where their performance and influence have diminished, greater effort is needed and focus must be shifted in order to achieve particularly high-level results. Realistic and critical self-evaluation is essential for all institutions. We have to assess our strengths and weaknesses in order to proceed forward with a clear vision of what to strive for in the future,’ commented VU Rector Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas.

VU achievements are impressive, with most of the science fields – some even significantly – having improved their previous results and now leading in Lithuania.

In the country, the highest score of five points was awarded to six fields. As much as four of those six best-assessed are of VU – biochemistry, ethnology, philology, and philosophy. In addition, the quality of research in 17 more science fields was evaluated as very good or good (4–4.5 points).  

Compared to the results of the expert assessment for 2013–2017, the assessment of 16 science fields implemented at VU has improved, whereas nine fields retained their previous assessment result.

In the area of humanities, the quality of research in three fields implemented at VU was awarded the highest score of all research and studies institutions in the country. Experts praised the activities of researchers in this area and pointed out the high-quality publications and international exposure.

The assessment results of the quality of social sciences also improved. The fields of economics and political sciences received the best assessment results – 4.5 points. Experts gave these fields, alongside the law science field, the best assessment results in Lithuania. Especially well assessed were the achievements of the last couple of years in the field of education – the increased concentration of the potential of researchers in the field of education had a significant impact on this. As noted by the experts, the education-field researchers were actively engaging in projects, international-level publications, and partnerships.

In the area of natural sciences, as much as 12 science fields were assessed. The field of biochemistry retained the highest score of five points, and six additional science fields were awarded very good or good scores. Eight science fields received the highest scores in Lithuania for their quality of research.

The quality of research in the area of medicine and health sciences either retained or improved the score it was awarded for the period of 2013–2017. Experts noted the importance that the new Science Centre of the Faculty of Medicine will have on the development of the medicine and health sciences.

Compared to the previous period, the changes in the quality of research and development activities in the fields of technological sciences were not significant. In these science fields, the project activities received exceptionally positive evaluations. Experts also commended their relations with companies, the potential for the commercialisation of research results and the opportunities of further development of relations between science and businesses.

The social and economic impact of the activities carried out by VU units was awarded a very good score. Especially favourably rated was the research infrastructure at VU units. Special attention was given to the opportunities provided by VU Library: an extensive network of library services, appropriately selected databases, assistance to VU academic community, and educational activities.

The highest results of the assessment of the quality of research signifies the recognition of exceptional research achievements both nationally and internationally. Research activities were assessed according to three assessment criteria of different weight: the quality of research activities (weight 0.65); the economic and social impact of research activities (weight 0.2); and the development potential of research activities (weight 0.15). The highest possible assessment for each criteria – five points. The assessment is carried out by foreign experts. For assessment, VU submitted the achievements of 33 science fields developed at the University for assessment.

In total, 28 state and non-state universities and research institutes were assessed. The results of the Comparative Expert Assessment of Research and Development Activities carried out in 2023 are published here (in Lithuanian).