Charles University is the oldest university in central Europe (established in 1348) with 17 Faculties and 50,000 students including more than 10,000 from abroad. It has 8,600 staff, 3,900+ are academics. The university is the best (world TOP150) in the following 5 subjects:

• anatomy and physiology
• economics
• geography
• linguistics
• political science and international studies

Charles University currently has bilateral agreements with 58 British universities. About 95 British students come to study in Prague every year.

Between 27 and 31 March 2023, 18 delegates from Charles University led by the first ever female Rector Milena Králíčková and her 2 Vice-Rectors (Jan Kuklík and Ladislav Krištoufek) travelled round the UK to enhance strategic partnerships with 6 respected British universities:

• London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
• Imperial College London
• University College London
• Cardiff University
• University of St. Andrews
• University of Edinburgh

They were met by Vice-Chancellors or their deputies and large delegations of their counterparts.

Prague UK Science and Innovation Network supported the idea of the mission from its beginning, contributed to the organisation of the mission and accompanied the Rector and Vice-Rectors to their key meetings.

There were also many side meetings directly between faculty members and researchers in various sectors from pedagogy to biomedical and sport sciences. Overall, more than 20 meetings took place during the week and over 40 British leaders and researchers participated.

Impact

The mission itself is a great success on its own right. It highlights that the UK is a partner of choice for science and research at Charles University and a quality of British Higher Education is well recognized. The rector prioritized the UK for her first longer foreign visit and showed how important British networks for Charles University are.

There was a huge interest to join from faculty members (Deans and Vice-Deans) and a formerly planned 5 people team turned to a large group of 18 delegates. The mission was self-funded by Charles University with no HMG financial support, showing high commitment to the collaboration.

In all meetings, a part of the discussions focused on students and teachers’ mobility, celebrating already existing exchanges, for example, a cooperation between Charles University with Realistic graphics and Imaging Group at Imperial College London and Parasitology at LSHTM. New annual exchanges of 5 law students with Cardiff University have been agreed.

Discussions also focused on research – matching strengths of institutions and finding ideal areas for collaboration. One early success of the visit was a Horizon Europe Teaming bid worth €1 million, submitted by the Faculty of Arts of Charles University together with the University College London and KTH Leuven to Brussels. The bid has not received funding, but the research teams of universities continue cooperating.

Policy discussions focused on research security and exchanges of best practice between Charles University and British institutions. A common approach to privacy, research integrity and ethics is needed. Sustainability of Universities and Net-Zero pledges as well as energy security and high-inflation were also on minds of university leaders in both countries.

The Rector of Charles University established a “strategic partnership seed fund” for Charles University staff to facilitate collaborations between staff from Charles University and their British counterparts that have a strong potential to establish mutually beneficial educational and research connections and make a valuable contribution to the international advancement of both universities.

Expected outputs from this seed fund are mobility, teaching opportunities, joint publications, workshops and grant applications. An average of £5,000 is planned for one project with an estimated annual limit of 6 new collaborative opportunities between Charles University and 6 UK counterparts every year!

SIN Officer Contact: otakar.fojt@fcdo.gov.uk