The International Advisory Commission of the University of Hradec Králové Conference
The UHK held a 2-day online conference between June 17-18, 2021, where the members of the International Advisory Commission (IAC) took the main part of it. The board consists of 5 valuated members from different universities around the world. Their main role is to share experience and give some suggestion to the UHK.
The International Advisory Commission of the University of Hradec Kralove is an advisory body to the Rector.
It enables an independent, objective and highly professional evaluation of the university in the field of fulfilling its mission, its creative and pedagogical activities, maintaining consistency and dynamics of internal strategy, viability, social relevance, and knowledge transfer. It is an opportunity to apply international standards to the current situation at the UHK. It helps to identify its strengths and weaknesses, potential and opportunities, and proposes a path to change.
The IAC provides advice in 6 areas, this meeting was focused on 3 of them:
- Setting up a functional system of internal evaluation of the research organization (field specifics of evaluation, comparison with international ones or national standards in the relevant field; systematic inter-institutional and inter-faculty comparisons, which would increase internationalization efforts and their results)
- Software tools for conducting evaluations of individual workplaces for the purpose of their comparison
- Evaluation of the international dimension – participation in international teams, networks, grants, employment of foreign researchers
The IAC meeting was opened by prof. Ing. Ondřej Krejcar. He recapitulated the inspiration and recommendations for the UHK from the last meeting of IAC. One of the opening topics were attracting students and the success of a placement in the QS World University Rankings.
The discussion on the topic „How do you approach the world rankings?“ was included among other subjects of matter.
"The University of Hradec Králové is in the QS World University Rankings for the first time ever. The UHK rank is 801-1000 out of 1,300 evaluated institutions,” said Vice-Rector Leona Stašová.
Vice-Rector Krejcar: “It is not easy to reach this ranking. It is not only made of citations and publications. Citations are only 20%. The number of citations is rising. We will try to stay at this level and possibly be even better.”
Introduction of the UHK Strategic Plan 21+
Vice-Rector Pavlína Springerová introduced the UHK Strategic Plan 21+. There was presented the UHK Mission, Vision, Values and of course the main priorities and objectives and measures to be taken in the upcoming years. Followed up on this presentation Vice-Rector Leona Stašová, which addressed one of the topics of the Strategic Plan 21+. More specifically the Strategy of Internationalization.
Setting up a functional system of internal evaluation of the research organization I-II
The main point of this panel was the Setting up a functional system of internal evaluation of the research organization. Vice-Rector Ondřej Krejcar in particular presented the field specifics of evaluation, comparison with international or national standards in the relevant field; systematic inter-institutional and inter-faculty comparisons, which would increase the internationalization efforts and their results.
Software tools for conducting evaluations of individual workplaces for the purpose of their comparison
Vice-Rector Ondřej Krejcar opened the topic of software tools that might be used as a comparison of workplaces at the universities. The IAC gave some ideas and shared experience with their institutions. Then, there was another debate of the evaluation of scientists and platforms for the evaluation of researchers.
Evaluation of the international dimension
Vice-Rector Leona Stašová presented the evaluation of the international dimension – participation in international teams, networks, grants, employment of foreign researchers.
As the conference was heading towards the end prof. Hudák as chairman thanked all members and expressed his satisfaction among the topics discussed.
With the enthusiasm the UHK thanked for the support of the IAC members and is looking forward to the next meeting that will be probably on the verge of November and December 2021.
Attendees:
Rector
Vice-Rector for International Affairs
Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Cooperation with Practice
Vice-Rector for Science and Creative Activities
Vice-Rector for Strategy and Development
Deans of the Faculties
Vice-Deans for Science and Research
Vice-Deans for International Affairs
