ENG
President Petr Pavel appointed today the rectors of ten public universities at Prague Castle, including professor Jiří Zima. He will take office as head of Charles University on 1 February and will lead the institution until 2030. The Academic Senate of Charles University elected him to the position at the end of October last year. He will succeed the current rector, Milena Králíčková.
President Pavel appointed the rectors of Charles University, Prague University of Economics and Business, and the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague together, as the final appointments of the day. He wished them success, strength, determination, and satisfied students. According to him, CU, VŠE and CZU represent the “heavyweights” of Czech universities. “I am very pleased that our higher education institutions and universities, which you represent, will certainly hold their own place in global competition,” Petr Pavel said. In his view, it is in the interest of the Czech Republic for universities to grow in quality and to cooperate closely with the private sector as well as with the state.
“After the ceremonial act, we had the opportunity to raise a toast and briefly speak with President Pavel and the Minister of Education, Plaga, about our institutions, our plans, as well as a few everyday matters. Beyond the formal ceremony, it was a friendly, pleasant, and in fact informal meeting. The President spoke very positively about the role of universities in contemporary society and in the future. I thank him for the trust he has shown me through his decision to appoint me as rector,” professor Jiří Zima described the atmosphere of the ceremony.
According to him, appointment by the President lends the rector’s role authority and reinforces trust that rectors will lead universities with due prudence and dignity. “I thank the Head of State for this trust, and I am already looking forward to February, when together with my team we will take over the leadership of Charles University and begin our joint work,” Jiří Zima added.
Text: Tereza Kůstková
Photo: Vladimír Šigut