Contribution of Regional Higher Education Institutions for Regional Development

The influence of higher education on the state and regional development has been researched widely in the USA, the European Union countries as well as in Australia. Latvia has a shortage of such kind research. GDP per capita in cities with higher education establishments is higher as in other cities of the country in the Republic of Latvia. All study programmes and higher education establishments in the Republic of Latvia have to be accredited: the possible periods are six years or two years. In regional higher education establishments of the Republic of Latvia most of the study programmes are accredited for the maximum period six - years. Regional higher education establishments with bigger experience in higher education are more active in developing new study programmes and closing old - fashioned study programmes. Recently established regional higher education establishments are active in development of new study programmes.