1. Remarks of the Czech Rectors’ Conference on the Country Note
OECD – National Conference
Remarks
of the Czech Rectors’ Conference on the Country Note
Prof. Petr Sáha
Prague, 29 November 2006

2. I would like to express my gratitude to Jon File,
Thomas Weko, Arthur Hauptman, Bente
Kristensen and Sabine Herlitschka for this
valuable and detailed analysis of the Czech
tertiary education.
OECD – National Conference
Prague, 29 November 2006

3. Educational Priorities of the Czech Rectors’ Conference
• Increase educational capacities in lifelong learning and doctoral study programmes.
• Improve conditions for talented international students.
• Evaluate quality (personnel structure, unemployment of graduates, etc.).
OECD – National Conference
Prague, 29 November 2006

4. Research and Development Priorities of the Czech Rectors’ Conference
• Increase quality of research activities.
• Promote birth and development of top-ranking research centres.
• Reduce number of financial resources for research and development.
OECD – National Conference
Prague, 29 November 2006

5. Report’s Remarks: Chapters two and three
31) Students Access and Equity:
• Problem definition: Limitation for social services
benefits to students who are between the ages
of 18 and 26.
OECD – National Conference
Prague, 29 November 2006

6. 38) Regional Development
13 university cities
28 public and state universities
139 faculties
Ústí nad Labem
- 1 university
8,085 students
Liberec
- 1 university
7,655 students
Hradec Králové
- 1 university
7,004 students
Karlovy Vary
Praha
- 9 universities
99,312 students
Pardubice
- 1 university
7,797 students
Plzeň
- 1 university
16,188 students
Opava
- 1 university
5,371 students •
Ostrava
- 2 universities
28,540 students
Olomouc
- 1 university
17,242 students
Jihlava
- 1 HEI
- 1,092 students
České Budějovice
- 1 university
- 1 HEI
9,551 students
Brno
- 6 universities
66,013 students
Zlín
- 1 university
9,780 students
OECD – National Conference
Prague, 29 November 2006

7. 51) Achievements in Diversifying the System:
Chapters two and three
51) Achievements in Diversifying the System:
• Universities offer both academic and professional
programmes; many professional programmes change
to academic programmes step by step.
• 3.5-year study programmes mean difficulties with
unemployability of graduates.
• The proposed regulation between bachelors and masters in 2:1 ratio does not fit in with the demands of
applicants.
OECD – National Conference
Prague, 29 November 2006

8. 61) Policy Options for Increasing Diversity:
Chapters two and three
61) Policy Options for Increasing Diversity:
• Creating new public non-university HEIs from
scratch and increasing capacities of existing
universities.
In 2006/7 universities increased the capacities by about 20 thousand students without any difficulties. The rate of expansion can continue.
OECD – National Conference
Prague, 29 November 2006

9. Definition of problems:
Chapter four
Definition of problems:
81) The country has a robust system of academic
self-governance.
82) Extensive institutional and faculty autonomy.
83) Very low role of external stakeholders –
Board of Trustees.
84) Negative consequences of the governance
system.
OECD – National Conference
Prague, 29 November 2006

10. 85) • Low authorities of Rectors and Deans.
Chapter four
85) • Low authorities of Rectors and Deans.
• High level of faculty autonomy and strategic
decisions.
• Difficulties in setting research priorities.
• Problematic role of students in decision-making-
elections.
• Underdeveloped internal management systems.
86) Cumbersome institutional steering.
OECD – National Conference
Prague, 29 November 2006

11. 87) Reform higher education governance system.
Chapter four
Recommendations:
87) Reform higher education governance system.
88) Improve steering possibilities of the Ministry.
89) • Transfer the role of the Board of Trustees in
strategic decisions.
• Reform the Council of HEIs.
90) Increase the Rectors’ and Deans’ authorities.
91) Specify of a new role of students in decision-making.
QUESTION: Who will realize these recommendations?
OECD – National Conference
Prague, 29 November 2006

12. Labour Markets and Tertiary Education in the Czech Republic:
Chapter seven
Labour Markets and Tertiary Education
in the Czech Republic:
Burning issues in the Czech Republic:
• Employability of graduates.
• Low number of applicants and graduates from technical
programmes.
• Low number of international Ph.D. students.
• Low number of International academic staff.
OECD – National Conference
Prague, 29 November 2006

13. Chapter eight
Universities are strongly oriented to basic research with very good dynamics of growth.
Universities are very weak in applied research, development, innovation and cooperation with private sector. This should be improved very soon.
OECD – National Conference
Prague, 29 November 2006

14. Number of publications Average on 1 000 inhabitants
Chapter eight
Web of Science (1 January October 2006)
Country
Population
(in mil.)
Number of publications
(in thousands)
Average on inhabitants
Czech Republic
10,3
36,3
3,54
Austria
8,2
60,6
7,40
Poland
38,6
83,6
2,16
Slovenia
2,0
11,8
5,96
OECD – National Conference
Prague, 29 November 2006

15. Number of publications
Chapter eight
Web of Science
Number of publications
(in thousands)
2001
2005
Growth
Czech Republic
5,3
7,6
43,9 %
Austria
9,6
12,2
27,7 %
Poland
11,8
17,0
Slovenia
1,7
2,5
44,6 %
OECD – National Conference
Prague, 29 November 2006

16. Number of publications
Chapter eight
Web of Science (1 January October 2006)
Number of publications
(in thousands)
In whole country
In capital city
Capital city share
Czech Republic
36,3
23,8
65,6 %
Austria
60,6
35,6
58,8 %
Poland
83,6
24,7
29,5 %
Slovenia
11,8
10,1
85,2 %
OECD – National Conference
Prague, 29 November 2006

17. 264) The International Dimension:
Chapter ten
264) The International Dimension:
The majority of universities have no strategy for attracting
foreign students.
Today, 16 universities offer Ph.D. study programmes in English for international students.
OECD – National Conference
Prague, 29 November 2006

18. Universities searching for talented international students
In total: 16 out of 26 universities
Charles University in Prague
Czech Technical University in Prague
VŠB - Technical University of Ostrava
Brno University of Technology
University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno
Masaryk University
Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry Brno
The Academy of Performing Arts in Prague
Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno
University of Pardubice
Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague
University of Economics, Prague
University of Hradec Králové
University of South Bohemia
University of West Bohemia in Pilsen
Tomas Bata University in Zlín
OECD – National Conference
Prague, 29 November 2006

19. Many thanks to the OECD Review team for excellent report.
Conclusion
Many thanks to the OECD Review team
for excellent report.
The Czech Rectors’ Conference will use this
report as the basic material for its strategic
decisions.
OECD – National Conference
Prague, 29 November 2006