Palacký University participated in the CZEDUCON conference focused on international higher education

Representatives from Palacký University Olomouc, namely Pavel Flekač (Welcome Office) and Marie Jadrníčková (AURORA), played an active role in the fifth annual CZEDUCON conference, which centered on internationalization in higher education. This distinguished event, orchestrated by the Czech National Agency for International Education and Research (DZS), unfolded from November 21 to 23, 2023, within the spectacular premises of the Passage Hotel in Brno. Positioned as the largest gathering of its kind in Central Europe, it draws hundreds of participants from both Czech and international spheres, offering a diverse array of lectures and workshops. CZEDUCON serves as a pivotal platform for professionals in the higher education internationalization field, originating in 2018 and subsequently growing into the largest event of its kind in Central Europe. Notably, for the second time, its program was exclusively presented in the English language.

The primary objective of CZEDUCON is to furnish a forum for the development of international collaboration in the higher education sector, the dissemination of best practices, and the exploration of solutions to challenges associated with internationalization.

The core of the conference commenced with opening remarks from Czech Minister of Education Mikuláš Bek, alongside the President of the Czech Rectors Conference Milena Králíčková and the President of the European Association for International Education (EAIE) Piet Van Hove. The program encompassed over forty compelling lectures.

In representation of Palacký University Olomouc, Pavel Flekač (Welcome Office) contributed to a panel discussion addressing the attraction and retention of foreign students, the provision of targeted support services for international students and academics, and the development of networks of ambassadors and alumni. The discussion, involving representatives from Palacký University Olomouc, Prague University of Economics and Business, and Technical University of Ostrava, culminated in unanimous agreement on the pivotal role played by Welcome Office centres in creating internationally friendly environments at universities. These centres were recognized as vital in recruiting international students for foreign language programs.

Marie Jadrníčková (AURORA) actively engaged in a panel focusing on the Monitoring of Internationalization of Czech Higher Education (MICHE), alongside representatives from Charles University and the Czech Technical University. They deliberated on various approaches to developing joint study programs, credit recognition, establishing research connections, and other forms of international cooperation within university alliances.

In the ever-evolving landscape of a world driven by relentless innovation and technological progress, the inherent significance of the internationalization question emerges as nothing short of fundamental. Palacký University Olomouc, through its dynamic engagement in a spectrum of conferences and gatherings, both on home ground and across borders, not only underscores the urgency of embracing a positive stance on this matter but also actively contributes to the enriching trajectory of our academic institution. In this pursuit, it not only elevates the standing of our esteemed university but also pioneers trends that extend not only within the confines of the Czech Republic but resonate far beyond its borders, setting a distinctive benchmark for others to aspire toward.