Rectors of universities in the Czech Republic inaugurated the academic year

Although the academic year at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen (ZČU) began on 16 September, the rectors of all universities opened it at a joint meeting on 3 October. The celebration in the Congress Centre in Prague was also attended by the Minister of Education Mikuláš Bek.

Both university officials and some politicians were present at the opening ceremony of the academic year 2024/25. This year, the opening was hosted by Newton College. This was followed by a meeting of the Plenary of the Czech Rectors' Conference (CRC), which is taking place in Prague until Friday 4 October. Topics discussed include the state and future of Czech higher education along with the planned budget increase for the coming year. The rectors of universities are also expected to discuss the conditions for science and research, including funding.

The academic year 2024/25 at ZČU is in the spirit of celebrating 75 years of technical education in Pilsen. The legacy of the original University of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (VŠSE), founded in 1949, is now followed by three technical faculties of ZČU - mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and applied sciences - as well as university research institutes. Their activities in the region will be commemorated at a celebration that will culminate on Tuesday, 3 December 2024, with the ZČU Social Evening.

Security and sustainability are important topics not only this year for ZČU. That is why ZČU launched the ZČU & Sustainability campaign at the beginning of October. People can see it on the streets of Pilsen, Karlovy Vary, Cheb and also in the online space. The guides are prominent ZČU personalities who are shaping a sustainable future with their discoveries and research. In terms of security, ZČU intends to invest ten million crowns in 2025 in securing the buildings and cyberspace of the university. For example, the acquisition of a mass notification system and sound detectors is being considered.

Miroslav Lávička, the Rector of ZČU, recalled other priorities right at the beginning of this academic year: "This is absolutely essential with a view to future sustainable funding. All this in cooperation with the representatives of the city and the region, which are our strategic partners, and also using our membership in the EUPeace university alliance," he said.

Photographs: Lukáš Marhoul