Rector's looking back at the year 2024. How was it? And what will 2025 bring?

The past year has brought many challenges to the University of West Bohemia (UWB), but also many extraordinary successes. These were reflected across all areas – from creative activity and education to infrastructure investment, sport and international cooperation.

Dear colleagues, dear students,

who knows me, knows that I like numbers and often play with them. Therefore, I choose some that were important for the University of West Bohemia in 2024.

312. This is the number of study programmes offered by the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen from this year. We have newly expanded our portfolio with Kinanthropology, which focuses on the scientific investigation of movement and health, and Management and Digital Technology, which opens the door for students to digitally transform companies and organisations.

180. On that many scientific projects worked our scientists this year. This is a very good number, which we intend to gradually increase in the coming years and to focus even more on prestigious international projects. I am glad that we at UWB are able to devote ourselves to cutting-edge research and to the needs of society as a whole.

6. That many of our students represented the Czech Republic and UWB at the Olympic Games in Paris. Their achievements, as well as the performances of other students at academic championships and league competitions, are an inspiration for our entire community. And proof that education and sport do not necessarily go against each other.

2500. That many students and staff had to temporarily leave their facilities this year due to the biggest investment event (not only this year) - the reconstruction of the Faculty of Education building on Chodské náměstí. This long-needed and awaited modernisation will surely soon bring a new, comfortable and modern environment.

9. That many European universities form the EUPeace alliance, of which UWB is a member. Thanks to this partnership, there is a growing interest in cooperation with our university at both domestic and international level. This is evidenced, for example, by new agreements with companies and institutions that will be significantly involved in large contracts in the Czech Republic and Europe in the coming years.

75. That many years have passed this year since the establishment of technical higher education in Pilsen. Although we looked back with respect to the past, it is much more important to look forward to the future - and not only in the field of technical education and research.

14. That many inspiring personalities presented to the Pilsen and Karlovy Vary region what UWB is doing for a sustainable future. Our strength lies in multidisciplinarity, in the ability to connect different disciplines and find solutions to the complex challenges of today's world.

4. That December day in the sequence unfortunately overlapped many of the positive moments we experienced together during the year. Nevertheless, I would like to highlight the good ones. The event hit us hard, but it also showed our resilience, cohesion and ability to pull together in difficult moments. Your response is proof to me that as a university community we can face any challenge in the future.

2025. A year that opens up new opportunities and challenges. Among other things, it will also be the year of finalizing the UWB Strategic Plan for the period 2026-2030, which will show us the direction we want to take. I would like this plan to be not just a formal document, but a real commitment in which we will all participate.

I wish you and your loved ones a peaceful and joyful Christmas season. Christmas is a time of reflection, forgiveness and also of new beginnings that give us the strength to move on and move forward. May the coming year be filled with successes, opportunities for personal growth and new energy for the challenges ahead.

I look forward to all that we can accomplish together in 2025!