Regional Development and Governance

The Joint degree study programme is intended for those who want to learn how to manage regions and encourage their future economic growth. The ever-increasing demand for good public management of scarce resources has caused a rethink about how public sector management and governance is taught in higher institutions of learning. Through a complex mix of public economics and public administration subjects taught by two universities that are experts in both fields, the programme aims to impart knowledge to students so they can be highly qualified specialists or experts and analysts of public administration.

Why this programme?

• Interdisciplinarity as an essential characteristics of a public administration professional field, attributed with integration of subjects of public administration, management, policy, economics, law and other study fields.
• Joint character of the programme, expanding opportunities of studies abroad, strengthening scientific and studies potential with the potential of the Vilnius University, supplementing a traditional theme and methods of public administration in Lithuania with traditions of Czech Republic.
• Internationalisation, manifesting through teaching staff and students’ mobility, joint innovations of content and methods of studies of universities-partners.

Diploma

• If you successfully finish the Programme you will receive a joint master’s degree from Vilnius University and University of Pardubice. You will get a Masters of Public Administration with European Diploma Supplement, which aids recognition of gained qualification when applying for overseas work and study opportunities, by providing a clear and detailed description of academic curriculum and competencies.
• Joint diploma is issued when a student positively graduates all the study subjects of the Programme and defends a Master’s Thesis in Vilnius University or pass the state examination, which covers defence of Master‘s Degree and assessment of theoretical preparation, in University of Pardubice.

What will you learn?

The programme is organised to encompass Regionalism and Public Governance, social welfare, economic development of the public sector, and research work with both compulsory and optional courses, leading to the awarded degree. After successful completion of all the study subjects, the student takes the state exam, which covers defence of Master‘s Thesis and theoretical assessment.

At the end of their studies, graduates have the capacity to critically incorporate fundamental knowledge on public governance and regional development in any public sector discourse. Additionally, graduates have the abilities of scientific research and expert abilities in preparation and implementation of programmes in regional development. Opportunity to study and travel to other parts of Europe through ERASMUS+ student mobilities.

Duration: A two-year, four-semester programme with one semester mobility to Lithuania. Mobility to University of Vilnius, Šiauliai Academy from the second semester of the first year.
Semesters: three months, from end of September till Christmas and mid-February to mid-May
Exam period: January until mid-February, mid-May until end of June
Vacation: Four months (June-September)

Graduates can:

• professionally investigate, analyse and complexly solve challenges of the EU and states’ regional development and governance, to intellectually, clearly and professionally render theories of regional development and introduce conclusions, to work out and implement programmes on regional development, to suggest recommendations to auditoria of both specialists and non-specialists, to assess results of own and others’ performance, to consult on issues of perfection of performance and implementation of innovations;
• complexly integrate knowledge on regional development and governance when meeting the public interest and making innovative solutions based on democratic values and civic spirit concerning creation of public welfare of regions and its governance, foreseeing possibilities for application of these solutions in the EU and world context;
• critically and systemically assess regional development processes and regional governance tendencies on local and international levels, to foresee governance changes, to assess alternative options of solutions and possible their social and ethical consequences;
• creatively implement innovations in fields of own professional performance and to improve learning skills necessary to continue completely independent studying.

What will you become

Successful graduates become analysts of regional socio-economic policy and development, designers and coordinators of regional development programmes and projects, who are competent in aspects of regional development, formation and implementation of regional policy, can efficiently contribute to the creation and implementation of regional economic progress and social welfare. As a graduate of the Master’s studies, you will obtain Joint Master’s Degree in Public Administration and will be capable to work in: 

• Masters can work in state and local (municipal) government and public administration institutions, national and international organizations, businesses, regional development and consulting agencies, non-governmental organizations, research centres, where competencies for regional development and management expertise are necessary. 
• Masters can continue with doctoral studies.

Application and Practicalities

Admission to the programme proceeds at both universities (Pardubice/Vilnius) every year, according to the general regulations for admission valid in the countries, and also on the basis of additional admission criteria established at the universities in a set order. The decision, organising further admissions to the Programme, is made by the Management Committee of the Programme.