PETR KOPECKÝ

CS EN

Candidate for Rector of the University of Ostrava

Petr Kopecký

Term of office 2027–2031

“The first term was about building the foundations. The second will be about making them count. We will be a university respected at home and visible in the world.”

A strong university is not only about projects and buildings. Above all it is about the people who want to study here, work here and stay here.

Interview Endorsements Programme Student voices Media coverage Supporters
Petr Kopecký standing in the university bookshop in front of shelves of brightly coloured books.

Dear colleagues, dear students,

I have decided to stand again for Rector of our university. Just as I did four years ago, I will introduce myself to you through this website, and not only through a CV and a programme. You can already read an interview in which I look back over the past term and, at the same time, look to the future.

In the Endorsements section I offer the perspective of more than thirty people on our work together, on my time as Rector and on the University of Ostrava. In the Supporters section you will find the names of more than fifty colleagues from all the faculties of the University of Ostrava and from the Institute for Research and Applications of Fuzzy Modeling who supported me by submitting a nomination. They include the heads of four of the University’s seven constituent parts. Student voices offers the perspective of students from all six faculties. Media coverage brings together my public statements both as Rector and as an Americanist. And, of course, I am also publishing my election programme.

I look forward to meeting you and to your questions and suggestions.

Endorsements

Statements from colleagues at the University, from the higher education sector, from the region and from students.

This is a translation from Czech. Where the two versions differ, the Czech version is authoritative.

“In our cooperation I particularly appreciated his openness, his focus on substance and his willingness to look for solutions.”
Assoc. Prof. Alice Gojová Dean of the Faculty of Social Studies, University of Ostrava, 2017–2025
“I have always valued his fair approach and his strong moral and ethical standing.”
Prof. Tomáš Kašparovský Chair, Council of Higher Education Institutions
“He has given the necessary attention to questions of ethics and safe relationships, as well as to other fundamental agendas.”
Klára Šimáčková Laurenčíková until recently Government Commissioner for Human Rights
Read more statements

Four years in numbers

Figures for the period 2023–2026.

CZK 4.25bn

raised from the operational programmes and European projects since 2023

CZK 534m

paid in staff salaries from the LERCO, REFRESH and other projects, 2023–2026

29 → 50

Horizon Europe applications submitted: 2014–2023 compared with 2024–2026

+36–54%

increase in the tariff salaries of academic staff in 2023–2026; for comparison, the increase in 2019–2022 was 0–0.4%

2 blocks

of new halls of residence at Hladnov — under construction

Priorities for a second term

  1. 01

    Salaries will grow with the budget

    The University’s greatest asset is its people. I want to continue directing funding to staff and students.

  2. 02

    Stronger support for doctoral candidates

    Better study conditions, including financial ones, and new facilities (not only) for the Doctoral School in the University Library.

  3. 03

    Modern facilities for study and work

    Two new blocks at Hladnov, the buildings of the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Arts, and the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music.

  4. 04

    European research projects

    A demographic decline and the end of a relatively generous programming period lie ahead of us. We have to be prepared.

  5. 05

    A simpler, more digital university with clear internal communication

    Fewer forms, fewer duplications, more time for work that matters.