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Campus Karlovy Vary - the interim name of the organizational unit offered to the Karlovy Vary Region by UWB in Pilsen. In the first phase, in addition to the continuation of education provided by the current two faculties, i.e. economics and pedagogy, this option would offer, for example, the gradual involvement of other faculties, e.g. design and art and health studies, and especially from 2027 a newly created autonomous university institute, a kind of centre of regional education and research. This would have its own director, and the range of study programmes would be expanded to include those relevant to the needs of the region, such as balneology, social work, tourism, school psychology or security. 

"We have long said that we are a university for the whole West Bohemian region - Karlovy Vary and Pilsen. Every year we have approximately 300 graduates permanently residing in the Karlovy Vary region, and 40 of them complete their studies directly at branches in the region. What has always slowed us down from expanding our studies here was the lack of state funding, now it is time to move forward" said Miroslav Lávička, the rector of UWB.

The Karlovy Vary Region submitted a proposal in February for the establishment of an independent university, but the government rejected it in March because of fundamental flaws. "My preference would be to start with the path of a higher education institute, with it being handed over to the Public University of the Karlovy Vary Region in the future, the full-fledged one. But the University of West Bohemia had in its presentation that we would have to commit that this would not happen. We will definitely continue these negotiations, I have approached the rector with a request to participate in the next meeting of the Academic Senate," mentioned the Governor of the Karlovy Vary Region, Jana Mračková Vildumetzová.

Education Minister Mikuláš Bek said he will support both options, although he considers the university institute to be faster and cheaper. "If the region were to take advantage of the offer of the University of West Bohemia, it could benefit from the apparatus the university already has, its rector's office and, for example, project specialists. We have to weigh the pros and cons because it will be an investment of considerable resources and we should decide quickly. Personally, I would like us to know by the summer. It is also necessary to discuss with the University of West Bohemia to refine its idea," the education minister told reporters.

The rector of the West Bohemian University also pointed out to the deputy governor that the West Bohemian University does not oppose the establishment of an independent university, but if this happens, the university will have to reconsider its activities in the region. "We are currently preparing a strategic plan for the years 2026+ and we need to know how we will approach our activities in the Karlovy Vary Region if competition arises there. In case this happens, we will start talking internally about the fact that we will reduce our activities in the region," the rector added.

Minister Bek also mentioned at the meeting that he does not want to financially support the functioning of the branches of universities that operate in such a way that teachers travel to the regions from afar for several days a month. According to Bek, higher education in the Karlovy Vary Region should rely on employees directly from the region.