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Doc. Ing. Josef Průša, Csc., was a graduate of the University of Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering (VŠSE), an assistant professor and also its last bursar. He later became the first bursar of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Deputy Minister of Education, Chancellor of the University of West Bohemia, and finally its Rector. 

He was born on 3 February 1939 in Pilsen, spent his secondary school years at the gymnasium on Mikulášské náměstí, and chose the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences. After his studies, he became a designer at Skoda Plant in Pilsen and in 1970 he started working as a project designer at the VŠSE. Five years later, for political reasons, he had to switch to the professional staff, and he was also a power engineer and a safety technician at the school, but he remained loyal to the VŠSE, or later UWB, throughout his professional career. The only exception was the period between 1998-2003, when he was Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Sports for Science and Higher Education.

For his work he received a number of awards, such as the Medal of the Ministry of Education of the First Degree, the historical seal of the City of Pilsen and entry into the Hall of Fame of the Governor of the Pilsen Region.

Josef Průša, Associate Professor in Technical Cybernetics, was the Rector of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen for two terms - from 1 March 2004 to 28 February 2011. When, with hindsight, he evaluated his tenure in 2016 on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of UWB, he said that he was "undoubtedly proud of the investment development. We managed to obtain a significant subsidy of 3.5 billion crowns from the Operational Programme Research and Development for Innovation, which was used to build research centres NTIS, RICE, RTI, CENTEM. Thanks to this, the university's reputation has been significantly enhanced, especially in the areas of research and development. The actual construction of the centres is already a credit to Chancellor Mauritz. However, the establishment of Techmania, the creation of the Days of Science and Technology festival, and I am certainly glad for the way in which the problems with the law faculty have been resolved." 

At the time when he was the head of UWB, more than 17,000 students were studying at the university. UWB was then the seventh largest public school in the country.

"Associate Professor Průša has made an indelible mark on the history of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen and has contributed significantly to its growth and success in many capacities. Every time I had the opportunity to talk to him, it was obvious how deeply he was connected to the University and how much energy he devoted to its development. His legacy will remain here and I am extremely grateful to him for everything he has done for the University," said Miroslav Lávička, current Rector of the University of West Bohemia.

The last farewell will take place on Monday, November 4 at 10 a.m. in the Great Ceremonial Hall at the Central Cemetery in Pilsen.