Resolution

Czech Rectors Conference (CRC) Plenum adopted at its 167th Meeting the following resolution:

1. CRC supports the request of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS) for a significant increase in expenditure for higher education, science and research area, without which it will not be possible to ensure adequate quality of tertiary education and research in the Czech Republic.
2. CRC repeatedly draws attention to the need of a pro-growth higher education budget with regard to the expected demographic development and the maintenance of equal opportunities for access to higher education.
3. CRC appreciates the decision of the Czech Republic Government to ensure the purchase of energies and capping of energy prices, but at the same time expresses concern as to whether it will be possible to maintain the quality of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) activities without increasing the budget.
4. CRC draws attention to the growing disproportion in the funding of regional and higher education, in consequence of which especially young academics are leaving HEIs.
5. CRC appreciates the open approach of MEYS when dealing with the comments on the amendment to the Higher Education Act and other legislative norms.
6. CRC points out that the submitted draft material of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIT) „National recovery plan – information on the expansion of the current financial allocation for the Czech Republic“ does not reflect the needs of HEIs and does not sufficiently support long‑term pro‑growth investments in the field of tertiary education, science and innovation. CRC calls on the MEYS to further negotiate with the MIT to this material with the aim of increasing funds for the field of education, research and innovation.
7. CRC condemns the violation of the right to freedom of expression and assembly in Iran and expresses solidarity with Iranian citizens, especially students and academics participating in protests against police despotism in this country.

Prague, 7 October 2022