Slide 1

Changes in Czech University Environment- Exchange Programs Helping the Reforms Hana Ripkova J. William Fulbright Commission in the Czech Republic

Slide 2

Czech Institutions of Tertiary Education 23 public universities 2 state institutions of higher education 39 private institutions of higher education 168 post-secondary professional schools

Slide 3

Which changes occurred due to international influence? Structuring of the programs (Bologna Declaration influence) but specialization still remains even at the undergraduate level Diversification of the system needed but is not yet satisfactory (post-secondary professional schools do not fit into the system)- attempts to change their status The numbers of students have been growing (but not as quickly as the demand) Private universities have been founded but the total number of their students is less than 5%

Slide 4

Number of Czech Students in HE www.uiv.cz

Slide 5

Differences in Fields www.scio.cz

Slide 6

Differences in Fields II www.scio.cz

Slide 7

Continuing Challenges A Czech University is not one system (problems with inter-disciplinary work, credit transfer, alumni activities) Accreditation system based on outside evaluation of quantitative data (mainly degrees of teachers) Teaching career and evaluation (no association as AAUP)

Slide 8

Problems Observed by American Fulbrighters New methods of teaching? Students less used to active participation and open discussion Large number of contact hours with students and less independent work of students Limited access to literature, lack of well equipped libraries and internet access to e- journals and databases Provincial character of many universities, few foreign teachers and few Czechs with international experience

Slide 9

Fulbright Program in the Czech Republic

Slide 10

American Fulbrighters hosted by all Czech public universities Czech grantees (from diverse fields) mostly return to academia New system of funding of research has been proposed by a Fulbright alumnus (vice-minister for human resources) based on his US experience

Slide 11

Impact of exchange programs?