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Just a few years ago, joint study programmes in Prague and Passau were still under discussion. Today, computer science students can spend part of their master’s studies at the partner university and earn two degrees. The successful launch of this programme, along with plans to extend cooperation to mathematics, was at the heart of a visit by a delegation from the University of Passau to Charles University on October 7–8, 2026. The delegation was led by the new President of the University of Passau, Prof. Jan Hendrik Schumann, who met with CU Rector Prof. Jiří Zima and representatives of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics.
Cooperation between the two universities has a long history. During a visit by a delegation from Passau to Prague in May 2023, the leadership of both institutions agreed to deepen their cooperation. Two years later, during a visit by representatives of Charles University to Passau, plans for a joint master’s programme in computer science began to take concrete shape. The first students were able to take advantage of this opportunity in the 2025/2026 academic year.
The double-degree programme in Computer Science – Software and Data Engineering adds an international dimension to the existing master’s programme taught in Czech at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University. Students spend one academic year in Prague and the second in Passau. Upon successful completion of their studies, they receive two degrees, one from each university, with each degree referring to the other.
The programme offers more than just an opportunity to study abroad. Over the course of two years, students can experience different approaches to teaching and research, benefit from the expertise and facilities of both institutions, and establish contacts that may prove valuable in further study and their professional lives. Passau’s international environment is another major advantage. With a high proportion of students from around the world and a wide range of courses taught in English, students can gain a truly international experience and discover different cultures without having to travel far from home.
Experiences gained in preparing and launching the joint programme were among the main topics of the October meeting. Another key question was whether students in other fields might have a similar opportunity in the future.
While the first double-degree programme was established in computer science, the potential for further cooperation is considerably broader. Discussions covered mathematics and computational linguistics, as well as language studies and teacher education. In addition to developing joint study programmes, the participants discussed research projects, student and academic staff mobility, and other forms of cooperation.
Both universities already have a strong foundation on which to build. Long-standing academic ties between individual departments play an important role. Examples include the collaboration between Prof. Jan Kratochvíl and Prof. Ignaz Rutter in theoretical computer science, and between the teams of Assoc. Prof. Irena Holubová and Prof. Stefanie Scherzinger in modern database systems. Research contacts also exist between groups working in mathematical cryptography. Joint scientific publications and research activities are thus complemented by increasingly close cooperation in education.
Prague and Passau are only a few hours apart. This proximity is one of the major advantages of the partnership, making not only long-term student stays possible but also shorter visits, joint seminars, regular meetings between research teams, and the involvement of experts from the partner university in teaching.
The cooperation is also supported by Czech-Bavarian academic relations that have been developing over many years. The Bavarian-Czech Academic Agency (BTHA), for example, supports joint projects, student and academic staff mobility, and summer and winter schools. Further opportunities are offered by European programmes, including Erasmus+, as well as joint applications for international research grants.
The October visit also marked the first meeting between the new leadership of the two universities. Prof. Jan Hendrik Schumann has headed the University of Passau since April 2026. Prof. Jiří Zima took office as Rector of Charles University in February of the same year.
The President of the University of Passau was accompanied by Vice President for International Affairs and Diversity Prof. Daniela Wawra and representatives of the Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics: Professors Stefanie Scherzinger, Tobias Kaiser, Ignaz Rutter, and Jens Zumbrägel.
Representing Charles University at the meeting were also Vice-Rector for Accreditation and Quality of Educational Activities Assoc. Prof. Karel Kouba; Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics Assoc. Prof. Mirko Rokyta; Vice-Dean for Study Affairs Assoc. Prof. Vladislav Kuboň; former Dean Prof. Jan Kratochvíl; and representatives of the Computer Science and Mathematics sections of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Assoc. Prof. Irena Holubová, Assoc. Prof. David Stanovský, and Assoc. Prof. Pavel Příhoda.
Both universities intend to build further on their existing cooperation. The joint double-degree programme in computer science demonstrates that even relatively ambitious plans can be successfully implemented. If similar links can be established in other fields, an increasing number of students and research teams on both sides of the border will be able to benefit from this close academic partnership.
Text: Irena Holubová, CU MATHPHYS
Photo: CU MATHPHYS