Republic of MacedoniaMinistry of Education and Science

Borcho Aleksov, Deputy Head

Higher Education Sector

Ministry of Education and Science

Republic of Macedonia 1

Higher Education Financing in the Republic of Macedonia

Legal Base for Financing of Higher Education Institutions

Financing of the higher education activity

• Law on Higher Education

• Higher Education Program• Annual financial plans of the higher education

institutions• Standards and criteria for financing of study

programs of public interest

2

Financing of the scientific and research and applicative activity

• Law on scientific and research activity• National scientific and research activity

program• Law on encouraging and assisting of the

technological development• Program for encouraging and assisting of the

technological development

3

Competent Authorities and BodiesFinancing of the higher education activity• Higher education sector• Higher education financing council

Financing of the scientific and research and applicative activity

• Science and technical development sector• National committee for development of the

scientific and research activity and technological development

• Scientific and research activity council• Technological development committee

4

Funding Sources• Budget of the Republic of Macedonia

• Co-financing and student participation

• International financing sources

• Rendering education services

• Scientific and expert services

• Copyright revenues

• Gifts, legacies, wills

5

Distribution of the Funds From the Budget of the Republic of Macedonia in Program 4 –

Higher Education

• Subprogram 40 – regarding new higher education bodies• Subprogram 41 – Sts. Cyril and Methodius University in

Skopje• Subprogram 42 – St. Clement of Ohrid University in Bitola• Subprogram 43 – State University in Tetovo• Subprogram 44 – Goce Delchev University in Shtip• Subprogram 46 – Information Technology University in

Ohrid• Subprogram 47 – Participation in public and private nonprofit

higher education institutions

•

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Elements in the standards and criteria that influence the amount of funds necessary for realization of the activity:

• Approved study programs of the higher education institution;

• Number of study groups, departments and courses;• Number of full time students enrolled in the state quota

for the first time in the study year;• Qualification structure of the staff;• Number of graduated students;• Net useful area of the higher education institutions

facilities; and• Necessary managing staff.

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The following items are financed within the framework of the scientific and research activities:

• Scientific and research programs and projects• Scientific and research infrastructure• International scientific cooperation• Training of scientific and research staff• Publishing books, magazines, scientific

articles• Scientific meeting in the country and abroad• Co-financing of development and research

projects

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Weaknesses in the current method of the higher education financing

• The model does not fully comply to the reforms which are result of the Bologna process

• It does not have clearly stimulation character• A new method of financing of the doctor studies has not

been identified• Weak initiative of the higher education institutions• Incompliance of financing of the higher education and

scientific and research activities• Too many advisory bodies for financing of the activity• Students pay too much unnecessary expenses

Challenges

• Redefining the elements (indicators) for provision of finances through quantitative elements of the activity

• Establishing a sustainable and functional system for data collection in the activity

• Strengthening of the higher education institutions competitiveness

• Providing additional funds apart from the Budget – animating the economy

• Additional modernization and adjustment of the student scolarships

Goals of the Upcoming Financing ReformsThe new higher education financing model should provide the following:

Harmonization with the reforms which are result of the introduction of the Bologna process

Monitoring of the results Redefining the study programs of public interests

which are being financed Strengthening of the integrative function of the

university Internationalization of the higher education Promoting the diversification of the universities’

missions

• Functional and socially justified student scholarships system

• Renewal and/or strengthening of the cooperation with the business and administrative sectors

• Greater inflows of funds from scientific and research activity and their socially justified purpose

• Capital investments increase• Strengthening of the role of the universities in the local

and regional development• Promoting and development of the scientific

excellence centers• Strengthening of the reward system• Strengthening of the universities’ competitiveness in

national and international fields

Conclusions

• The existing model is a good base for establishment of the new one

• An original model based on positive experiences is necessary

• The model should provide more expedient fulfillment of the universities’ missions

Thank you for your attention.borco.aleksov@mon.gov.mk