Resolution

Czech Rectors Conference (CRC) Plenum adopted at its 130th Meeting following resolution:

1. CRC supports the amendment to the Higher Education Institutions Act submitted to the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic. CRC emphasizes that its wording is a result of long-term discussions, it is generally accepted by higher education institutions and any further interference in its wording is considered as undesirable.
2. CRC requires ending of long-term trend of significant underfunding of educational activities at public higher education institutions and asks the Government of the Czech Republic to increase funds for the chapter of higher education institutions when preparing state budget.
3. CRC appeals to the Government of the Czech Republic for quick approval of the National Programme for Sustainability II for centres of excellence built under the Operational programme Research and Development for Innovation. Delays and inadequate allocation of funds seriously jeopardize fulfilment of sustainability terms of the projects, particularly in the area of personnel, as well as the credibility of the Czech Republic within international scientific community.
4. CRC calls on the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports to speed up as much as possible preparation and evaluation of recent calls from the Operational programme Research and Development for Innovation drawing on remaining funds so that their implementation in due time and in accordance with the law will be possible.
5. CRC points to the fact that absence of action of the Science, Research and Development Office caused that evaluation of results of research organizations in 2014 has not been completed yet and so funding of research in the Czech Republic is threatened. We hereby request an immediate remedy of the situation.
6. CRC emphasizes the need to maintain and further develop the existing system of education in non-medical fields at higher education institutions as well as maintain and develop specialist training of doctors provided by higher education institutions.

Křtiny, 23 April 2015