Students as partners and a university known for being demanding but high quality. The future rector, Jan Kříž, outlines his plans for leading UHK

It's been a week since the election (the interview was conducted on December 13, 2023, editor's note), in which the Academic Senate of UHK elected you as the candidate for the UHK rector position. How does it feel?

Honestly, I'm still waiting for it to sink in and for me to feel the euphoria. I appreciate the immense support I received before and during the election, culminating in the number of voting slips with my name cast by the senators. I approach this with the utmost humility and seriousness. It's a challenge I look forward to and take sportingly, and that's how I entered it.

How can one approach the rector's election sportingly?

Mainly fair, that's my life motto. And the campaign and the level of discussion during the election itself were indeed fair, sporting, and dignified. Had it not worked out, I was ready to acknowledge defeat and wish it wholeheartedly to the opponent. Staying with the sporting terminology – the figurative election 'match' with Josef Hynek was indeed a tough nut; I respect Pepa greatly, thinking he has done a lot of good for the university in the past; he is indeed a heavyweight and senators had a difficult task as referees. But they decided the university should go in a different direction, which I offered them.

And what direction are we heading in with you at the helm?

First and foremost, and it's not a cliché, I clearly declare that I will build on the good that the current rector, Kamil Kuča, has developed within UHK. And there's definitely a lot to build on! The university would never have grown in terms of internationalization and scientific performance without Kamil. He put everything into leading UHK and its development, which is often reflected in his health, and thanks to that, we now have a brand that resonates worldwide, finally appearing in prestigious rankings and with an incredibly boosted scientific performance. Well, and I'm back to sports. But Professor Kuča truly made that metaphorical kick-off with science, and it was a beautiful goal from midfield!

I understand. And where are we a bit offside to continue the sports terminology?

I fear that one of the most significant opportunities we missed is the restructuring or rationalization of study programs, which was possible after the extensive amendment of the Higher Education Act in 2016. We did not use this opportunity to reflect the current societal need in the structure of our study programs but to make them economical, cost-effective, and attractive for applicants. The new leadership will need to address this.

Another area where we need to be more flexible is transfer. We've already taken the first steps; we're on the right path, as evidenced by three spin-off companies. Until now, the motivational environment has been very much in favor of the original creators of results, which has helped establish companies. However, it's time for the university to start benefiting from the transfer, so internal legislative settings in this area will be discussed.

Finally, we need to motivate greater cooperation within the institution. After all, we are one team with the same goal, and we can't compete internally without sharing opportunities, equipment, facilities, and general know-how. Moreover, if our students feel improvement in this area, it will help build a robust and solid community and UHK brand.

I'm glad you started with our students. You talk a lot about their role and position as equal partners in your program. How exactly should I imagine this?

Our students should definitely be much more involved in the university's management. It's very beneficial and positive that their representative is a member of the internal evaluation council, but why couldn't there be more? Not all study programs have managed to involve students in their councils, but they should help us with the quality of teaching, so I see room for improvement here, too. The representative of the UHK AS Student Chamber is a member of the rector's college, which I also appreciate. If students don't trust evaluations but want to do something about the quality of teaching, they need to know that our door is open to them and that we care. I want them to see us as their partners, not an artificially created authority. In return, I wish for their activity and engagement, and we need to motivate them positively, not as subordinates, but as equal partners. I would also like to address students who are not yet with us, that is, applicants for study.

How should we approach them? How do you want the university to be perceived?

Sometimes, people say that UHK is a second-choice school. That's not the case. We regularly ask visitors to educational fairs and attendees of university open days, and we conduct feedback surveys with our students - the conclusions are such that despite my earlier criticism, they are attracted to the study programs we offer. However, there is room for improvement. They like the idea of studying in our beautiful Hradec Králové, which I completely understand as a patriot of Hradec, or the modern reconstructed dormitories attract them we pride ourselves on. In short, we evidently have something to offer them, although I can imagine that the offer and various student benefits could be, forgive the conservative reader, sexier. I want to build the reputation of a demanding but very high-quality university, which has long been attracting applicants not only from the East Bohemian region.

You mentioned that you are a patriot of Hradec. What does that mean?

It means that I was born in Hradec Králové and have lived here all my life, with a break for my university studies in Prague. I really love our city, life in it, and its surroundings. I considered whether being elected rector necessarily had to deprive me of my mandate as a city councilor, but there's no obstacle the coexistence is possible; after all, the institute of potential conflict of interest is well addressed, so I will continue to help our city as a councilor. And those who know me know that I'm a huge fan of Hradec hockey. After all, I still enjoy playing it and have introduced one of my two wonderful children to it.

And are you successful?

Yes! I function as an official and help the coaches on the ice, but most often, I serve as its driver for more distant matches.

Back from the ice to UHK - besides the mentioned plans, what will be the most significant challenges waiting for you from July, once you are appointed rector, and need to be prepared for?

Even before July, I would like to have my team of vice-rectors assembled. These will be people who will help me overcome obstacles. I know the rectorate quite well from my previous vice-rectoral duties, but one of the first activities I plan is to visit all the rectorate's workplaces. In my election program, I say that I will make decisions based on data, not feelings. So, the first task for the vice-rectors will be to analyze the current situation. The challenges I'm thinking about now involve adjustments to the budgeting methodology, revisions of the strategic plan if needed, the mentioned restructuring of the internal evaluation council, and much more.

Your entire professional life is inextricably linked with physics and the preparation of talented youth in this area. Will you have the time and desire to do this as a rector?

I can't answer that at this moment. I know I will have the desire and will try to find the time. Of course, I will have to delegate many things to colleagues, but I would like to continue this area dear to my heart.

Thank you for your time and brief interview.

Thank you. There's a lot of work ahead of us, but if we pull together, we can handle it. As one team.

doc. RNDr. Jan Kříž, Ph.D. *1974

A native of Hradec Králové, a Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at Charles University graduate. He focuses on quantum mechanical systems and mathematical methods in physics and works with talented youth in physics through European and world olympiads. He is currently leading the Faculty of Science at UHK in his second term, having previously served as vice-dean for creative activities and vice-rector for strategy and development at UHK. He has also worked at the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences. He is a member of the solution teams for many projects, including those of the ministry or the GA CR, and a member of Czech universities' editorial and scientific boards. He serves as a city councilor in Hradec Králové. He is married and has two children.