At its meeting on 6 June, the Czech Conference of Rectors (CRC) chose new leadership. Petr Sklenička, Rector of the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague (CULS), became the new president. He won the election in the first round, beating current president Tomáš Zima, Rector of Charles University, by five votes. The new president will assume the position in August. His term will last for two years.
According to the new president, it is crucial that universities maintain the current budget growth allocated for Czech research and education at the very least, so as to achieve the gradual reduction of what are still large differences in comparison with universities from western Europe.
“At the same time, it is necessary to distribute finance with an accent on quality while respecting all different fields of studies. In this sense, it is necessary to complete the methodology for the evaluation of higher education institutions and, in general, to provide higher education with long-term stability,” Petr Sklenička said.
The Czech Conference of Rectors was founded on 28 January 1993 and has a total of 46 members. These members comprise the rectors of all public (26), all state (2) and some private (18) universities in the Czech Republic. The CRC represents universities, addresses issues fundamental to institutions of higher education, expresses opinions on them and applies these in respect of legislative and executive institutions and authorities.