Thematic review of Tertiary Education 1 Czech Republic Country Note Remarks of the Council of Higher Education Institutions Jan Bednář Vice-chairman of Council of Higher Education Institutions, Charles University in Prague

Thematic review of Tertiary Education 2 Chapter 1 – Introduction common agreement with proposed purposes, methodology and definitions no disagreement remarks

Thematic review of Tertiary Education 3 Chapter 2 – The context and background of tertiary education policy in the Czech Republic This chapter may be thought as quite truthful description of the years after collapse of communist regime at the Czech higher education institutions. Main points for attention: financing role of students in educational process research and innovation quality assurance.

Thematic review of Tertiary Education 4 Chapter 3 – System structure and institutional landscape Common agreement with content and conclusions Appreciation for emphasis on actual problems with diversification of higher education institutions (Recommendation to create „University Colleges of Profession Studies“ is stimulus for future.) Very good understanding of our problems with acceptation of bachelor degree in society.

Thematic review of Tertiary Education 5 Chapter 4 – System and institutional governance Good understanding of problems of mentioned system is indicated. Special problems: needs of better and more effective collaboration with private sector, needs of wider role of external stakeholders, difficulties in communication inside universities, relatively weak contacts with common needs of the Czech society Recommendation “internal governance structures may be most effective if they vary from institution to institution within a common general framework“ and “professionalisation of university administrations and managering“ is stimulus for future

Thematic review of Tertiary Education 6 Chapter 5 – Resourcing of tertiary education Very important chapter: Insufficient funding of higher education institutions from public and private sources is clearly documented here. Recommendations and other commentaries in connection with updating of institutional funding mechanism are adequate.

Thematic review of Tertiary Education 7 Chapter 6 – Access and Equity Demands of financial and social support systems for students are crucial problem. Very problematic boundary 26 age for students exists in the Czech Republic in connection with paying of health and social assurance. Presented conclusions correspond to the strengths and weaknesses of the Czech tertiary education system concerning access and equity. Recommendation “better coordination between secondary and tertiary education, creation of National Scholarship Programme and others” is stimulus for future.

Thematic review of Tertiary Education 8 Chapter 7 – Labour markets and tertiary education in the Czech Republic It is possible to commonly agree with presented conclusions concerning the strengths and weaknesses of our tertiary education system towards labour market, but the Czech position is very complex and specific so that all economic environment is now in the process of deep qualitative changes.

Thematic review of Tertiary Education 9 Chapter 8 – Research and Innovation This chapter may be accepted as adequate analysis with remarkable challenges and recommendations. Most important points: necessity of strengthening of public research funding system, operational system of project funding environment in national and international way, improving of innovation and knowledge transfer systems

Thematic review of Tertiary Education 10 Chapter 9 – Quality assurance and quality enhancement Common agreement with: The description of the role of Acreditation Commission. Requirement to strength the role of external assessment. Description of the strengths and weaknesses is commonly adequate.

Thematic review of Tertiary Education 11 Chapter 10 – The international dimension It is without doubt that intensification of international contacts is crucial topic for perspectives of the Czech higher education system.

Thematic review of Tertiary Education 12 Thank you for your attention