Resolution

Czech Rectors Conference (CRC) Plenum adopted at its 166th Meeting the following resolution:

1. CRC points out that the growth budget of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in 2023 is crucial considering the expected demographic development in order to maintain equal opportunities for access to higher education.
2. CRC also draws attention to the threat to the balanced management of HEIs in connection with rising energy prices and rising inflation.
3. CRC requests the active involvement of its representatives in the comment procedure in the process of amending Act No. 111/1998 Coll., On Higher Education Institutions, and Act No. 130/2002 Coll., On the Support of Research and Development from Public Funds.
4. Following the request of the Research, Development and Innovation Council concerning the communication of sectoral portfolios by HEIs, CRC calls for a clear definition of the relevance of this requirement and the purpose for which the information obtained is used. CRC also recommends the National Accreditation Bureau for Higher Education to be involved in negotiations on sectoral portfolios.
5. CRC recommends maintaining the approved evaluation system of research infrastructures, including the already approved five-year evaluation interval.
6. CRC appreciates that the requirements for scholarships for Ukrainian students will be fully satisfied after verification of compliance with the set conditions. CRC asks the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports to set a realistic time horizon for this support.
7. CRC appreciates the approach of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in improving the conditions for enabling the study of foreign students at HEIs in the Czech Republic. CRC supports the accelerated digitization of the visa agenda.
8. CRC supports an increase in financial support for Universities of the Third Age (U3A) for 2023 to CZK 27.5 million, which corresponds to a rapid increase in the number of courses organized for U3A students.

Prague, 2 June 2022