University of Hradec Králové


University of Hradec Králové was founded on June 21, 2000 by renaming the University College of Education, which itself traces its roots back to 1959. It is attended by around 8,500 students.
It belongs to one of the most important education and research institutions in the Eastern Bohemia.
The current rector of the university is prof. Ing. Kamil Kuča, Ph.D.

History

Training of future teachers in Hradec Králové has a long tradition and dates back to 1775. In 1959 Institute of Education was established which prepared students to a teaching at both levels of elementary school. In August 1964 a separate Faculty of Education originated by merging the Institute of Education in Hradec Králové and in Pardubice. Students' training for all education level was enabled only after 1976 by a higher-education reform.
After the Velvet revolution some former staff from 1960's returned to the faculty and an international cooperation with other universities has been established.
On February 15, 1993 a new faculty was added to the Faculty of Education – the Faculty of Management and Information Technologies, which was in 2000 renamed to the Faculty of Informatics and Management. In the same year the name of the university was changed to the University of Hradec Králové.
The modern building of the Building of Common Education – in 1998 awarded by Czech architects as "The Building of Year" – was accompanied by long expected and high-technology building of the Faculty of Informatics and Management which required an investment of 360 million CZK. It is situated next to the Building of Common Education.
On September 1, 2005 the Faculty of Arts commenced as the third faculty of the university.
Five years later, on September 1, 2010, the Faculty of Science was established following a transformation of the Faculty of Education.
Last expansion took place on January 1, 2011 when the Institute of Social Work was founded. It offers specializations in social sciences that were formerly provided by the Faculty of Education.
Since September 1, 2017, Institute of Social Work became a part of Philosophical Faculty.

Structure

Currently the university consists of the following 5 units:
The long-term strategic mission of the university is not only to enhance its internal structure, but also to focus on investment projects which are efficiently carried out by a gradual construction of the university campus in the Na Soutoku area. The upcoming plans include a construction of a building for natural and social science specialization with laboratories that will complete and close up the center of a newly emerging campus.
In 2010 a brand new unified professional visual style has been introduced that presents the university as a modern, dynamic institution.
All parts of the university are located in Hradec Králové, capital of the Hradec Králové Region.
Two student dormitories, Palach Halls of Residence and Vít Nejedlý Halls of Residence have capacity over 900 beds .

Management

Vice-Rector for Science and Creative Activities: prof. Ing. Ondřej Krejcar, Ph.D.
Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Cooperation with Practice: doc. Ing. Mgr. Petra Marešová, Ph.D.
Vice-Rector for International Affairs: Mgr. Leona Stašová, Ph.D.
Vice-Rector for Strategy and Development: Mgr. et Mgr. Pavlína Springerová, Ph.D.

Symbols

Rector's Sceptre is shaped as a linden leaf, in the centre of which a shiny golden ball is situated. There is a silver lion standing at the top of it. The sceptre has been given to the university by the city of Hradec Králové.
Statutory emblem is made up by a central crowned Czech lion looking heraldically left and holding in its forepaws large "G" letter. The figure also represents a part of the city of Hradec Králové emblem. In the circular inscription the full title of the university in Latin is written.

Other units