Standpoint

Czech Rectors Conference (CRC) Presidium expresses serious concern about the information published following an inquiry by an expert ethics commission at Mendel University in Brno concerning published professional articles by a team led by Professor Vojtěch Adam, the elected candidate for Rector of Mendel University in Brno.

In its conclusions, the expert commission states that the problems identified "ranged from gross negligence in quality control to clear signs of data manipulation" and recommends at least six published professional articles to be withdrawn.

Following these findings, the CRC Presidium has decided on this standpoint:

• The CRC Presidium decisively and emphatically distances itself from any violation of ethical principles at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the Czech Republic, whether they concern the scientific, research or educational field.
• The CRC Presidium states that adherence to the general bases and principles of academic integrity and ethics in science, research and related publishing activities is considered one of the basic and unquestionable values of serious scientific and research work.
• The CRC Presidium expects a clear explanation from the main author of the publications in question, even in the context of him taking the leadership of one of the 26 public HEIs
  in the Czech Republic in the near future. It is difficult to imagine that such an approach to the performance of the rector's function, and thus to the membership in the CRC, could be accepted without a clear explanation by the association of rectors, members of the CRC.
• The CRC Presidium expresses great regret on the case, as it sheds a bad light on the perception of the level of scientific and research work in the Czech Republic, as well as significantly threatens the reputation of Czech science as well of Czech scientists abroad.

Brno, 26 January 2022