Přístupnostní navigace
E-application
Search Search Close
A planned leadership change will take place at the head of the Research Universities Association (AVUni) on August 1, 2025. After completing his two-year term, the current chairman and Rector of Masaryk University, Martin Bareš, will hand over the role to Ladislav Janíček, Rector of Brno University of Technology. The new chairman was unanimously elected by all AVUni members, which brings together the most prominent Czech universities with a strong focus on research and innovation.
Ladislav Janíček is the new head of the Association of Research Universities of the Czech Republic. | Author: Tomáš Nosil Martin Bareš has led the association since 2023. During his tenure, he focused on strengthening the role of research universities both within the Czech Republic and across Europe. He successfully initiated important discussions on systemic funding for science and research, expanded collaboration with industry partners, and established the association as a respected stakeholder in strategic higher education and research policy decisions. Under his leadership, AVUni also actively communicated with the public and policymakers about the importance of top-level university research for the future of the Czech Republic.
The newly elected chairman, Ladislav Janíček, will continue to strengthen AVUni’s role as a bearer of values whose common denominator is competitiveness – both nationally and internationally – in higher education, research, development, artistic and other creative activities. He will also focus on securing adequate, stable, and effective funding for higher education, research, and innovation in the Czech Republic. “I want to continue the direction we’ve started. I thank my predecessor Martin Bareš for his work for AVUni and all its members for their trust. I believe that competitiveness in today's higher education environment means adopting and promoting the highest standards of quality and excellence at our universities. Only in this way can we achieve top-level research results and excel in international academic comparisons,” said Ladislav Janíček, Rector of Brno University of Technology and the incoming chairman of the Association.
According to the new chairman, sharing best practices and developing partnerships with leading global universities and research institutions is essential for building a valid and respected international position for AVUni members in education and research. A good example is the active involvement of all AVUni member universities in European university alliances – two of which even chaired their alliances in the past year. “As the current president of one of these European University Alliances, EULiST – European Universities, I want to bring experience in management and coordination from this alliance into AVUni. Furthermore, all our member universities are active members of the European University Association. Membership in these alliances gives AVUni members the opportunity to be at the forefront of developments in the European education and research space. In general, I consider the key motivation for AVUni’s development to be the strategic partnerships with leading partners from academia, research, industry, and other applied sectors,” explained Ladislav Janíček.
Ladislav Janíček also emphasized the role of universities in relation to society. “I consider it essential that our universities actively respond to the needs of society and the economy in the Czech Republic and across the EU, including in the context of goals set by European strategies. This way, they can be valid and visible agents of their societal role in both education and research. As chairman of AVUni, I want to direct our efforts toward developing world-class education and research that can stand up to international comparisons.” He also mentioned the value-driven dimension of the Association's operations: “Lastly, I believe it is important that AVUni and its member universities also serve as bearers of academic integrity and ethics in both research and education. They should not only be references of academic excellence and societal relevance but also a source of independent expertise that supports societal development and the prosperity of the national economy,” concluded Ladislav Janíček regarding his vision for leading the Research Universities Association.
The Association was established in July 2019 with the aim of enhancing the position of Czech universities in strong international competition. It currently consists of seven institutions* covering all areas of university education – humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and technology. AVUni represents 55 % of all university students and 74 % of doctoral students in the Czech Republic. Its key focus is on scientific excellence – this is reflected in 38 ERC grant holders at member universities, 77 % of all Horizon Europe funding allocated in the Czech Republic, and its role in key Czech research infrastructures such as Czech NanoLab, RECETOX, or CIIRC. The association also emphasizes translating top-tier research into practical innovations, protecting intellectual property, and founding start-up and spin-off companies. All seven AVUni members are ranked in the latest edition of the prestigious QS World University Rankings. More information about the activities and results of the Czech Association of Research Universities can be found at avuni.eu. *Charles University, Masaryk University, Palacký University in Olomouc, Czech Technical University in Prague, University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague, Brno University of Technology, and the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice