Accreditation Bureau transformed. Its Council now includes a representative from UWB

As of July, the Accreditation Bureau for Higher Education operates independently of the Ministry of Education, thanks to an amendment to the Higher Education Act. Petr Baierl from the New Technologies – Research Centre at the University of West Bohemia has been elected to its Council.

The National Accreditation Bureau for Tertiary Education (NAB) oversees the quality of higher education in the Czech Republic — it decides which study programmes universities are allowed to offer, assesses habilitation and professorship procedures, and has newly expanded its role to include higher professional education institutions. As of 1 July 2025, the Bureau functions as a fully independent institution – it is no longer subordinate to the Ministry of Education, but operates as a separate legal entity with its own budget and broader powers.

A new member of the NAÚ Council, which approves these key decisions, is a representative of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen: Petr Baierl from the New Technologies – Research Centre (NTC). At the research institute, he is responsible for establishing cooperation with public institutions. His presence on the Council means he will have a direct influence on shaping the rules for universities across the country. The term of office for new members is set from two to six years.

“This is an exceptionally important body that has a fundamental impact on the shape of higher education in the Czech Republic. We see our colleague’s participation in the NAB Council as a sign of trust and recognition that the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen receives within the academic community,” said Miroslav Lávička, UWB Rector.

This year, the National Accreditation Bureau will operate with a budget of nearly CZK 29 million. The new Chair, former Deputy Minister of Education Jaroslav Miller, plans, among other things, to digitise the Bureau's agenda and improve the interconnectedness of educational levels. The transition to independent functioning is intended to help Czech education become more open and compatible with international systems.