University rectors oppose proposal that professors should be appointed by Senate speaker

Czech university rectors have rejected a proposal that professors should be appointed by the speaker of the Senate. The idea surfaced at a meeting of President Miloš Zeman with the upper house speaker, Milan Štěch, on Tuesday. The rectors said it would be in breach of the Czech university act. The outgoing government is set to discuss the issue on Wednesday, with the cabinet in favour of handing the powers to the education minister, according to the Czech News Agency.

Until last year, professors were appointed by the president. However, Mr Zeman objected to the system when he refused to appoint one of his critics as professor. The president and the education minister then reached a deal under which the authority to appoint professors would be transferred to the minister.

Author: Jan Richter