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The TUL Strategic Development Plan for 2020 with a forward view to 2030

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The TUL Strategic Development

Plan for 2020 with a forward view

to 2030


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CONTENTS

Preamble...................................................................................................................... 5

VISION AND MISSION................................................................................................... 6

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES............................................................................................... 7

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.......................................................................... 8

SCHOLARLY ACTIVITIES.................................................................................... 17

DEVELOPMENT.................................................................................................. 21

INTERNATIONALIZATION................................................................................... 32


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Preamble

The long-term strategic document paper presents the idea of the future direction of the Technical University of Liberec (TUL), the objectives of its development and the strategy of its fulfilment. The strategic plan is conceived with a viewable horizon of 2020, however, the priorities have been an inevitable part of the university development strategy since its founding more than 60 years ago. Strategic objectives of the university as a modern European educational institution with cutting-edge scientific and research background are mainly Science and Research, Education, Development in general terms and Internationalization.

The following document focuses on implementing the results of science and research into industrial and strategic partners of university research teams from national and international organizations, educational institutions and the business sphere. Moreover, the Strategic Plan intends to aim at offer, profiling and innovation of study programmes and subject-areas, increasing the share of foreign students and employees within TUL, but also its infrastructure and technical background. The TUL Strategic Plan presents, in addition to the current state, possible directions for further development.

The TUL Strategic Plan may thus be the official information overview for the needs of public administration institutions and national and international institutions involved in education and training, as well as document serving the internal needs of the university as a foothold for decision-making and determining future visions for the development of the university.


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VISION AND MISSION

The Technical University of Liberec is profiling itself as university focusing on the field of technical sciences and mathematics, social and pedagogical sciences, arts and health. It is aiming to build several top-class laboratories and teams in areas where it achieves world-class results. In terms of educational activities as well as in line with the demand for graduates, it focuses on the subject-areas where it achieves very good results in basic and applied research. The university rests on excellent and developed scientific background, exploits the synergetic effect of individual parts of the university, emphasizes interdisciplinarity in educational activities, research and development. It systematically cooperates with universities and scientific institutions abroad as well. International co-operation takes the form of project co-operation, creative activities of scientific and pedagogical staff, as well as the form of mobility of students and associate professors.


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STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

The university focuses on the field of technical sciences and mathematics.

Research and Development

Implement synergic cutting-edge top research activities in selected

areas on an international scale and thus become a significant research

institution.

1. Perform R & D applied research (primary research) and innovation. Develop various forms of cooperation with both similarly-oriented domestic and international universities and research institutions in terms of science and technology development.

2. Develop and broaden cooperation with the industrial partners in R & D and to fully focus on technology transfer, both in the Czech Republic and abroad.

Scholarly Activities

1. Promote talented and highly motivated students and systematically involve students of all levels of study in research projects.

2. Create an offer of study programmes conceived with the research element of the university with regard to the future employment of graduates in the labour market.

3. Promote quality work of academic and scientific teams, promote international mobility and internships as well as attract foreign guest lecturers and experts to their teams, support international cooperation.

Development

1. Develop instrumentation and laboratory equipment.

2. Fulfill the sustainability requirements of projects, optimize the use of buildings and continuously reconstruct existing buildings or complement them with new construction in accordance with the current requirements of the university.

3. Increase the quality of studies, develop and implement modern and practical forms of teaching, promote the internationalization of the university.

4. Increase the level of education in the region and the Czech Republic by offering study programmes as well as lifelong learning courses, popularizing science and research for all ages.

Internationalization

1. Enhancing international professional cooperation with strategic partners abroad.

2. Actively incorporate international students and academics in teaching and research activities of TUL.


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3. Effective use of short-term and long-term international mobility programmes for students, academics and non-academic employees throughout the university.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

In its long-term R & D strategy, TUL has set three basic R & D goals by:

1. Implement synergic, cutting-edge research in selected areas on an international scale and become a major research institution.

2. Perform applied research and innovation in the field of R & D. Collaborate with similarly-oriented universities and research institutes.

3. Establish and develop partnerships and cooperation with the representatives of the application sector and to fully focus on technology transfer, both on domestic and international scale.

The priorities of R & D activities are:

• sustainable development of society,

• support cutting-edge instrumentation reflecting current technological advances,

• innovation and competitiveness,

• international cooperation,

• worldwide promotion of the Czech Republic,

• interconnection with the teaching and educational activities of TUL.

In its R & D activities, TUL responds to societal challenges facing current world in science and business sphere. TUL focuses on synergic interdisciplinary research, strives to establish and promote inter-faculty and interdisciplinary research teams to explore and find solutions to global challenges.

In support of excellent and internationally visible research, TUL promotes all its academics to meet R & D goals using motivational tools, promoting mobility, teaching foreign languages, strengthening information technologies and supporting personal initiatives. Investing in personal growth of academics and employees is one of its significant priorities. Furthermore, TUL protects the intellectual property of R & D employees. TUL sees the priority in interdisciplinary research, which results from educational activities in terms of technical sciences, social sciences, economics, health sciences, and art.

In the context of R & D activities, TUL also popularizes scientific knowledge to children and youth. The form of the Children's University, Summer School for Children, and other activities that would bring young people the area of R & D. Moreover, TUL promotes lifelong learning forms that strengthen R & D skills and cultivate a relationship with university.

TUL respects:

• autonomy of R & D teams within the faculties and institutes,

• legislative environment of the Czech Republic and the EU,

• regulations for targeted support.


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TUL promotes its priority themes, while respecting and looking for mutually beneficial forms of cooperation with other national and international R & D organizations, universities and institutions.

Perform top-level research in selected areas at international level and

become an important research institution

TUL will continue to support successful recruitment of top researchers from the Czech Republic and abroad by existing research teams in order to improve both scientific performance at national and international level and research outputs.

TUL emphasizes the professional growth of these employees by:

• promoting national and international mobility programmes,

• short-term and long-term cooperation with experts,

• systematic promotion of doctoral students participating in the fulfillment of R & D tasks, active policy of recruiting foreign applicants for doctoral study programmes,

• enhancing of laboratory facilities at research centers,

• developing ment of modern information technologies,

• participating in national and international programmes and projects,

• popularizing in national and foreign media, conferences and other events.

By creating and developing laboratory facilities, TUL systematically develops top-level research centres of independent research teams with international participation. Independence and freedom in research is stimulated and supported by:

• long-term objectives,

• trends in application sector,

• national and European projects.

Establishing and developing laboratory facilities will be realized both by utilization of the means of both targeted support and completing an effective and sustainable system of commercialization of the research outputs. The development will be supported both at faculties and at institutes and other university units.

TUL protects information generated by R & D teams and supports their subsequent industrial and copyright protection.The university has been supporting the transparent knowledge dissemination of the latest R & D outputs in the sense of the national and international legal environment. TUL will, in all standard ways as well as from a long perspective, prevent the illegal dissemination of R & D knowledge and combat plagiarism.

• TUL actively emphasizes the importance on long-term involvement in international databases and information repositories to share data and R & D outputs based on clear rules.


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• TUL establishes and develops its own information system, which facilitates the transfer of information between individual R & D employees and researchers as well as at the level of faculties and other university units.

Establishing and developing relationships with other R & D departments and with regional and state administration authorities is one of the strategic objectives. TUL promotes cooperation with R & D departments both at universities nationwide and abroad, as well as supports collaboration with industrial partners and leading research institutions particularly in Liberec region and the Neisse Euroregion.

The Technical University of Liberec is a part of the regional R & D structure, with which it maintains correct relations with the principle of mutual cooperation and respect. TUL cooperates with Liberec city authorities and Liberec Region executive management. Furthermore, it also collaborates on the projects announced and governed by these bodies, and thus contributes to creation of regional and state strategies and documents.

Liberec Region.

The Region is a very important partner in the field of innovation and R & D in many respects: it is responsible for secondary education, it is the winner of projects for the development of education, it has professional staff for RIS 3 and other departmental concepts. It lists innovation vouchers, manages the Innovation Portal, and carries out a host of other activities. Besides TUL, the region is a strategic partner in R & D policy.

ARR – Regional Development Agency, a limited liability company.

The principal aim of the agency is to provide regional public administration, towns and municipalities with professional and comprehensive economic and organisational consultancy, advertising, publishing and mediation activities in order to implement the objectives of strategy aimed at regional programmes, conceptual plans, and strategies in the individual areas of public and economic life. ARR is also the developer and bearer of a number of international projects, an EEN partner, it manages development areas and brownfields. ARR is actively involved in cross-border projects both within the Neisse Euroregion.

Regional Chamber of Commerce of Liberec,

represents companies and entrepreneurs in the region. The chamber has been conducting several studies on business environment (the Analysis of the Business Environment and Research and Development Environment in the Liberec Region), it also organizes a series of meetings with a focus on business, including innovations.

Regional Organization (RKO-ERA)

The organization was established in 2000 as a joint project of VÚTS a.s. and the Technical University of Liberec in order to provide information and consultancy services such as coordinating R & D funding opportunities from EU Framework Programmes (information on open project calls, participation conditions, etc.), technical and administrative support for participants as well as international promotion of regional R & D activities.


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Academic Coordination Centre (ACC)

is an association of two German universities, three universities from Poland and TUL to coordinate the educational, scientific and research activities of teachers from participating schools within the at the Neisse Euroregion.

CzechInvest (Investment and Business Development Agency) – Liberec Regional Office.

The state agency for entrepreneurship and innovation is important for the region as a contact point for investments and operational programmes. The agency provides service for investors within the region. Recently, it has been trying to support investment firms with higher added value activities. An important activity of the agency is the date collection on the business environment that are available both for public and authorities.

iQ Park/iQ Landia – Science Centre

A unique science center iQ Landia was established with the support of the Operational

Programme R & DI grew up in Liberec. The new center was loosely linked to the existing iQ Park Science Center in order to popularize, promote science and technology to allow a deeper understanding of the nature of physical and natural phenomena through unforgettable play and experimentation with instruments, devices, interactive aids, exhibits and other elements. Labyrint Bohemia, a non-profit organization, operates this centre.

Clutex – Association of Textile-Clothing–Leather Industry

Cluster, that has been awarded several times (most recently award of the Ministry of Industry and Trade for 2012), associates companies producing technical textiles, machines for their production, schools and research organizations focused on textiles. It includes not only companies from the Liberec Region but also companies from other regions of the Czech Republic. As a very well-functioning cluster, it became an informal adviser on the textile production issues providing its members with services such as joint purchase of research and testing technologies, participation in development projects and a number of expert trade fairs and exhibitions.

Czech membrane platform o.s. (CZEMP)

brings together experts and significant institutions dedicated to the research, development, implementation and utilization of membrane operations in the technological processes of a wide range of manufacturing industries. The development of a platform based is therefore a prerequisite for connecting research and educationonal subjects with the industry and other institutions involved in technologies for sustainable corporate development.

Czech Technology Platform for Textile (ČTPT)

Association of natural and legal persons associating representatives of Czech textile and clothing industry, both manufacturing companies and research organizations and schoolinstitutions. The main goal of the platform is to implement a strategy for the development of the textile sector in the Czech Republic.

Liberec Regional Hospital, (KNL a.s)

Although the hospital is not a faculty hospital, some research centers (neurology, traumatology, cardiology) collaborate with the university on research activities and projects.


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TUL cooperates with the central authorities as well, the Government Council for R & D and the ministries (especially the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Industry and Trade), which define the strategy and provide synergy. Furthermore, the university participates in the work of commissions and working groups and also actively involved in targeted support projects announced by the Ministries.

The TUL management exerts pressure on positive changes in the state and EU approach in the area of targeted support and legislative background, which defines the rules of R & D functioning not only in favour of TUL but also in favour of the functioning of R & D in general.

The university involves in international and national R & D projects and significantly supports the activity of R & D teams in order to successfully participate in international and national projects. For this purpose the university:

• actively participates in the creation and discussion of long-term R & D plans and strategies at regional, Czech and international level (RIS 3, amendment to the law, etc.),

• establishes and supports workplaces within the university, faculties and institutes with the aim to systemically ensure the monitoring of the challenges and the administration of projects,

• promotes R & D teams through specialized trainings,

• supports active cooperation with the providers of targeted support (TAČR, GAČR and others),

• supports R & D teams by running the Technology Transfer Support Center.

The university sees participation in national and international R & D projects as a priority and understands successful participation not only as a source of income from targeted support, but also as a tool to strengthen its position in priority R & D areas and as a feedback form for education activities.

TUL supports the involvement of students of all educational programmes at all faculties and institutes. The goal is as follows:

• a higher level of education,

• better preparation for entry into practice,

• education of future co-workers who will bring new themes and ideas for R & D cooperation from the application sector,

• education of a new generation of top researchers to compete in national and international competition,

• involving foreign students to strengthen the international dimension of R & D teams and after their return to enable them to become participants in future cooperation.

• carrying out top R & D and innovation activities, collaborating with similarly-oriented universities and research institutes in order to develop science and technology.


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TUL supports the competitiveness of Czech companies and the so-called open innovation, monitors the needs of the application sector, motivates and technically supports R & D teams to focus on topical issues. In addition, the university also regularly reviews the state of cooperation and uses all instruments to strengthen and expand this cooperation.

TUL actively seeks to set up connections within the knowledge triangle:

• research,

• entrepreneurship,

• education.

In line with its long-term aim and other long-term R & D strategies (e.g. RIS 3), TUL supports and prefers R & D activities that are as follows:

• nanomaterials and nanotechnologies,

• progressive metal and composite materials and their processing technologies,

• advanced materials technologies,

• components for vehicles and devices,

• decorative and utility glass and ceramics,

• advanced remediation technologies,

• modern medical technology (mainly based on nanostructures),

• research in the field of social and historical sciences,

• research in the field of health care.

To fulfill these activities, (for newly defined R & D objectives as well) TUL applies:

• cutting-edge R & D technologies and procedures that are constantly renewed and updated,

• high-level R & D teams,

• international cooperation,

• possibility of targeted support and contractual research,

• support direct involvement of research specialists in the application sector in meeting the objectives of cooperation.

The university strives to develop and deepen cooperation with the

application sector and fully focus on technology transfer, both at home and abroad

TUL prefers to transfer knowledge between public research institutions and the private sector while respecting intellectual property rights. The aim of furtherance is primary and applied research, which will ultimately support the innovation and competitiveness of the Czech Republic. The university traditionally maintains close cooperation with large and medium-sized companies, with priority being the collaboration with small companies that do not have their own R & D capacities.


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In order to support objectives in cooperation with application sector, the university:

• supports alumni at all levels of study programmes,

• promotes collaboration with industry partners involved in teaching,

• enhances the thesis topics provided by industry and commercial partners,

• systematically records and mediates internship offers for students

• promotes cooperation between application sector and university students (e.g. job fairs, student challenge cups and competitions, scholarship, sponsorship).

TUL perceives the application of R & D activities as:

• its priority R & D activity in order to strengthen the importance of the Czech Republic in the field of industry, agriculture, social sciences and education,

• promoting in the application sector and among potential applicants,

• funding R & D activities, as well as promoting teaching, artistic activities and other activities,

• meeting the goals defined within the city and region.

TUL tries to break down the barriers between the university and the application sector by:

• providing the application sector on its activities,

• simplifying administrative and other activities while establishing cooperation,

• organizing a series of promotional events that allow direct and informal contact between R & D teams and application sector leaders,

• promoting good practices of successfully completed and ongoing collaboration,

• providinges advisory services in areas related to R & D,

• close cooperation with representatives of the application sector (Confederation of Industry and Commerce, Chamber of Commerce, CzechInvest, etc.).

To meet these goals, TUL has established and further develops the The Technology Transfer Promotion Center, which:

• maintains direct and methodological assistance to R & D teams in the field of intellectual property protection, commercialization, legal assistance in negotiating cooperation, provides assistance in looking for options in the area of targeted support projects,

• provides potential interested parties with the necessary information on specific possibilities and ways of collaboration, its financing and the protection of intellectual property,

• promotes the university as a top R & D centre as well as a suitable partner for cooperation with the application sector.


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The Technology Transfer Promotion Center collaborates with other centers with a similar focus on or outside universities. The aim of the cooperation is mutual awareness, joint progress in negotiating with state authorities and jointly setting long-term goals.

In addition, TUL strives to support the establishment and operation of business incubators, accelerators, startups and Spin off companies. In this area, it works closely with local authorities and government and other interested organizations to coordinate these activities. The priority is to involve both entrepreneurs and graduates. TUL sees its role primarily in methodological and advisory services.

Structure of TUL in the field of research and development

All faculties and institutes participate in the R & D activities (i.e. the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, the Faculty of Textile, the Faculty of Mechatronics, Informatics and Interdisciplinary Studies, the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Humanities, the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Health Studies). R & D activities are connected with teaching activities. The faculties are linked to the Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovation (CxI). This Institute focuses on fulfilling the R & D tasks, projects of special purpose and contractual support. Except for the involvement of doctoral, it is not involved in teaching activities. Its organizational structure, way of communication and focus on applied research approaches the model of the company and thus facilitates cooperation with the application sector. On the contrary, faculties and institutes take advantage of long-established relationships.

Strategic TUL industry partners in the area of research and development are as follows:

• ABB Jablonec nad Nisou

• ČEZ, a.s.

• Elmarco s.r.o.

• JUTA a.s.

• Ornela a.s.

• Preciosa, a.s.

• Rieter CZ s.r.o.

• ŠKODA AUTO a.s. and its suppliers

• VÚTS a.s

Global priorities in research and development

Strategic objective 1:

• 1. Internationalization – international professinal cooperation.

• 2. VaVaI promotion, integrating and developing research programmes.

These priority themes aim to consolidate position of the university as an international R & D organization and to support the emergence and further development of R & D teams in current fields.


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• 3. Interconnection of study and R & D.

This priority aims to increase the involvement of TUL students, foreign students at TUL, international projects students (e.g. Erasmus) in R & D projects, meeting R & D co-operation goals in theses as well as establishing cooperation after graduation. The university sees the priority in internationalization in education by extending the R & D activities to students. In addition, TUL strives to extend the study programmes and subject-areas on subjects that bring students closer to the issues of industrial property protection, copyright protection, R & D legislation, possibilities and procedures for commercialization of R & D outputs and also the current potential of R & D at TUL.


• 4. Funding – improving current funding, securing additional sources of funding.

• 5. Infrastructure, material, technical and informational security

Sources of funding R & D from commercialization, contractual research and other R & D outputs will be assessed and strengthened. This priority assumes that the Czech Republic will clarify the way of evaluating and financing R & D so that TUL can establish clear and long-term rules. Furthermore, the R & D information base will be strengthened by modern technologies, participation in information resources and reinforcement of possibilities of R & D mobility. This priority goes beyond the R & D framework and links the individual information activities of the university.


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SCHOLARLY ACTIVITIES

In its long-term R & D strategy, TUL sets the following three basic objectives in the field of education:

1. Encourage talented students and continually seek to involve students of all levels of study in research projects.

2. Offer study programmes conceived with the research element of the university with reflecting the current labour market trends.

3. Promote quality work of academic and scientific teams, promote international mobility and internships. Through active search, to attract and involve international experts as well as promote international cooperation.

Encourage talented students and continually seek to involve students

of all levels of study in research projects.

The strategic goal of TUL is to increase the quality in education and achieve higher level of achievements, encouraging talented students, increasing skill levels of academic staff and their improving teaching competencies and improving instrumental, laboratory and equipment background. In addition, TUL efforts to increase the involvement of both employees and talented students in research, development and innovation, increase the qualification level of academics participating in the research activities, improve their age structure, applying the synergy effect by attracting and connecting professionals from various disciplines. TUL aims to systematically motivate academics and students to participate in international projects and programmes, as well as in cost-effective application projects, and to take into account their achievements in internal career structure.

The university strives to facilitate access to studies and their successful (e.g. through incentive scholarships for motivated students, awarding standard length of studies, effective support for international internships, etc.). TUL supports highly talented students and young academics, including doctoral students, by providing welfare, social, housing, and other scholarships. Moreover, TUL organizes student scientific research competitions for motivated students who are treated with permanent individual professional care and financial and moral recognition. The aim of TUL is to involve students to a greater extent in solving the tasks of scientific, research and innovation activities, make use of the Bursary Code in order to encourage motivated and talented students (e.g. prestigious Preciosa Foundation Prize). TUL systematically deals with the quality of services provided to students (counseling, information and library services, involvement in research activities, etc.).

In addition to promoting student, the university also supports the implementation of large inter-faculty research projects (e.g. research centers, ministry projects, international projects, etc.). In order to achieve these goals, the TUL strives to acquire funding for research, science and innovation from the state budget and other schemes by submitting quality projects to the research programmes of MEYS, MPO, ME, GA CR, TA CR and EU projects.


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TUL's priority is also to create contacts and international teams with universities within the European research and education area to implement joint R & D projects and teaching activities, establish and develop professional training dedicated to supporting the development of educational and other competences among academic employees, researchers and doctoral candidates, ensure adequate open international environment for students, academics and researchers.

Offer study programmes conceived with the research element of the

university with reflecting the current labour market trends.

TUL offers a wide range of study programmes taught fully in Czech as well as in English. The advantage of the study programmes is the balanced ratio of form and content of study, individual approach to students, high education qualification, quality of the theoretical basis of education, reflecting the needs of dynamic and open nature of the current labour market, certified courses. The existing study programmes are provided in full-time, combined and lifelong learning forms of study.

TUL promotes profiling and innovation of high-quality study programmes, including lifelong learning, especially in those areas where TUL has achieved significant achievements. It also focuses on reducing student learning failure while maintaining quality requirements for graduates, organizing courses and other forms of group and individual lessons for improving knowledge, improving the system of working with students.

To monitor the success of graduates in the labour market, TUL has created a graduate database where it aims to identify the employability of its graduates in the labour market, possibly in the region reflecting requirements of strategic regional partners. TUL also implements projects dedicated to supporting graduate employment in the labour market. As conducted surveys and database data show, there is a low unemployment rate among the university graduates who are employed in engineering, commerce, education. Most graduates work in their study-areas or in a related area. It can be mentioned that the labour market demand prevails over the offer of the graduates in terms of technical study programmes, as well as for the Faculty of Science, Humanities and Education, the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Arts and Architecture graduates. The labour market requirements in the study programmes carried out by the Faculty of Health Studies are many times higher than the possible offer of graduates.

The strategic goal of TUL is to continuously strive for the highest quality graduate profile of the university to find employment in the current labour market, to increase their adaptability in relation to the employers' demands and to create the prerequisites for improving their position in the labour market. In order to achieve such objectives, it is essential to innovate study programmes with regard to the future needs of society and the employability of graduates. Not only innovation, but also the revising of curriculum structure reflecting the changing needs of employers and current development of knowledge. An essential part is the continuous organizing of job fairs involving both students and companies, joint communication and cooperation. One of the objectives of TUL is creating models of partnerships of faculties with organizations, institutions and firms from practice, setting up the conditions of cooperation (e.g. involvement in diploma and dissertation theses, lectures


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of industry representatives and experts, contact of companies with students in promotional activities, project activities, conferences, etc.), developing a system of interconnection of education with research, development, innovation, arts and other creative activities, especially in follow-up and doctoral study programmes.

Promote quality work of academic and scientific teams, promote international mobility and internships. Through active search, to

attract and involve international experts as well as promote

international cooperation.

TUL will continue to support the participation of students, academics and researchers in international programmes, promote participation in international cooperation networks, joint education and research programmes. It will provide high quality education programmes and apply teaching methods that take into account international aspects, create a range of study programmes accredited and implemented in foreign languages, and joint study programmes leading to joint / double / multiple degrees.

To create conditions for higher involvement of research teams in international programmes, enhancement existing services, TUL will implement the following steps:

• providing counselling services to assist research teams in participating in international programmes in the European Research Area,

• creating appropriate background for research teams involved in international cooperation that will provide necessary administration, accounting, help solving financial and legal issues, ensure the co-funding of approved projects, etc.,

• supporting specialized training activities to improve the quality of project proposals,

• effective stimulating of researchers to become more involved in international cooperation in science and research, in particular in EU Framework Programmes.

TUL strives to become a strategic partner within the international educational area in qualitative and quantitative terms. It seeks to continue and expand its strategy of international cooperation in the field of education and research. The main objectives of TUL are to promote the international mobility of talented students and young scientists, habilitation and appointment academics to support R & D and international cooperation in science and research. TUL will continue to consolidate its position within the European higher education institutions as well as within the European research area, increase its competitiveness in the international environment. TUL will support the international mobility of students, academics, young R & D employees from the Mobility Fund. Besides, it will comprehensively register outgoing and incoming students in the student matrix, promote mobility of students and academics within Erasmus +, bilateral agreements, „free movers“, as part of an institutional plan and other international exchange programmes. TUL will actively engage in EU programmes to support international cooperation in the field of education and R & D & I, in particular in the Erasmus + and Horizon 2020 programmes - to strengthen and support activities for preparation and participation in international structures for R & D cooperation in projects.


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One of the main priorities is to gain experts with international work experience who could encourage domestic students and academics with greater international outlook, increase the number of international visiting professors, promote academics to long-term mobility as part of their career path as well as motivate and create mobility opportunities for non-academics as well.

The partial objective is to actively engage in shaping the European research area and to create the conditions for increasing the participation of research teams in European science and research programmes as well as for intensive engagement in international cooperation in research, development and innovation, in such a way as to become a significant partner within the international research area. The university will also create a favourable environment for the international mobility of researchers and skilled employees and promote reciprocal international mobility for academics and researchers at universities.

Encourage the use of the opportunities and financial resources provided by the European Research Area (development of conditions for the participation of TUL teams in EU framework programs, established technological platforms, drawing public support for science and research from national sources, etc.) is also perceived as a priority. Furthermore, the university will encourage the use of funding sources provided by the European research area (i.e. development of conditions for the team participation in EU framework programmes, establishing technological platforms, drawing public support for science and research from national sources, etc.).


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DEVELOPMENT

In its long-term R & D strategy, TUL sets the four basic development goals by 2030:

1. Develop instrumentation and laboratory equipment.

2. Fulfill the sustainability requirements of projects, optimize the building management efficiency and continuously reconstruct existing buildings or build new facilities in accordance with the current requirements of the institution.

3. Increase the quality of studies in connection with the implementation of modern forms of teaching, to promote the internationalization of the university.

4. Increase the level of education in the region and the Czech Republic by offering study programmes and offering lifelong learning courses, popularizing science and research for all ages.

Develop instrumental and laboratory equipment

The main directions of scientific, research and development activities undertaken at faculty, department, team and individual level follow the priorities of national and vast European support for science and industry and respond to the long-term and current needs of valid industrial practice. R & D activities of TUL technical faculties with the character of applied research have a distinctive innovation character, creating new materials with significant utility properties, advanced technologies and intelligent functional units. TUL is well aware of maintaining the competitiveness of research therefore investments in new devices and technological units are planned. Since research is governed by individual faculties and institutes, the proposed investment plan is ranked according to this aspect:

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Investments will be directed to instrumentation in the following areas of research conducted at the faculty:

• material research and science, metal and plastic processing for the engineering and automotive industries including the application of nanotechnologies and nanomaterials,

• innovations in the field of construction of thermal equipment, engines and vehicles, non-traditional forms of drives, environment ecology, machines and technologies,

• innovations focusing on manufacturing machines and technologies and services,

• applied mechanics as a multidisciplinary research direction for machine design and manufacturing technologies and innovations.

Faculty of Textile Engineering

The Faculty strives to modernise the equipment of FT TUL laboratories reflecting the current technological advances in textile and materials. Research will be focused on instrumentation in the following ways:

• research into new materials with an emphasis on wet spinning research,


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• metrology and new methods of quality and comfort assessment,

• advanced textile technologies,

• the use of nanotechnologies

In the area of educational activities, its priority is to provide sufficient not only hardware but also software equipment for all faculty students and their workplaces.

Faculty of Mechatronics, Informatics and Interdisciplinary Studies

Faculty of Mechatronics, Informatics and Interdisciplinary Studies will invest into instrumental equipment within the following research activities:

• area of vibration damping research,

• area of robotics and mechatronics, prototype construction of production lines,

• area of datamining and the semantic site

• area of signal collection and processing, speech and text processing,

• areas of electronics and electrical engineering,

• area of physical measurement methods, process controls,

• mathematical modeling of natural and technical processes,

• biochemical and material research.

Faculty of Science, Humanities and Education

Investments in research and science devices will be specified according to the personnel situation at the faculty in the future period and the obtained grant sources. Investment support at the faculty will be directed to the following research areas:

• high energy physics and optics, physics of solids (piezo),

• mathematical statistics and numerical mathematics,

• climatology (mathematical-statistical applications therein),

• physical chemistry.

Faculty of Economics

With regard to the social sciences research activities at the faculty, EF assumes investments in computer and multimedia classrooms, regular renewal of both hardware and software at around five-year intervals, and the purchase of new research software products respecting the current industrial trends. The key access to electronic databases, search and other library services is crucial in terms of research activities at the faculty. Therefore, funds will also be directed to this area. The Faculty will support technology transfer by creating suitable conditions for spin-off companies at TUL by providing appropriate space and investment engagement.

Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technology and Innovation

The Institute will invest in the following areas:


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• increasing parameters of analytical instruments,

• developing of measuring and diagnostic techniques,

• investment support for the research of technological and other specific equipment.

The funds will be derived from the National Sustainability Programme I and other planned grant and own resources.

Faculty of Health Studies

The faculty assumes the innovation of teaching models, aids, instrumentation, corresponding to modern trends in medicine, biomedicine and nursing. Investments will mainly focus on learning facilities and laboratories:

• anatomy classroom,

• IT classroom,

• a physiology classroom,

• laboratory of clinical disciplines,

• nursing laboratory,

• functional diagnostic laboratory,

• first aid laboratory,

• intensive care laboratory,

• emergency medicine laboratory,

• laboratory of pathological physiology,

• laboratory of microbiology,

• interactive laboratory,

• patient safety laboratory,

• laboratory of sleep diagnosis,

• laboratory of motion and gait analysis.

Fulfill the sustainability requirements of projects, optimize the building management efficiency and continuously reconstruct existing

buildings or build new facilities in accordance with the current

requirements of the institution.

The long-term strategic goal of the Technical University of Liberec is to realize a modern university campus that will meet all the demands of students, business entities and state institutions that partly provide resources for operation. This is to create an environment that will synergistically provide all three roles of a modern European university (education, R & D and cooperation with the application sector) to the same extent as universities in other developed countries.

Sustainability of projects


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The university will only deal with development and investment projects that have a high probability of sustainability. These include, in particular, projects ensuring:

• gaining the knowledge and skills that teachers use in their work,

• creating jobs

• implementing of developed methodical materials,

• implementing of created educational products,

• cooperation among entities within the framework of the partnership to support the target group,

• utilizing of the established cooperation network and the exchange of information, experience and examples of good practice among the training bodies and the involvement of other entities,

• utilizing of reconstructed and equipped spaces for education.

The project implementer ensures the financial and institutional sustainability aspect:

The financial aspect means the financial security of activities after the end of EU funding source. The institutional aspect is to ensure the existence of structures allowing the implementation of activities even after the project is completed.

In general, the sustainability of projects will be ensured by individual project applicants, mostly by individual faculties. Sustainability of the R & DI Project The Center for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovation will be partly supported by the Development of the Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovation (National Sustainability Program I) (roughly 1/3 of the CxI operating budget).

Infrastructure and technical background

The development of TUL is a prerequisite for the international competitiveness of research institutes at faculties. In accordance with the long-term plan of the Czech Government in the area of tertiary education and particularly in higher education, the objectives of the Technical University in Liberec are set, which, in cooperation with Liberec, the Liberec region and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports strives to find the optimal model of TUL development and the creation of a concentrated campus. The aim is to create the necessary infrastructure for a European-oriented and research-oriented university.

The complex investment strategy of the university is based on several basic documents. These are conceptual and strategic documents: "TUL Generel", "Investment programme of the Technical University of Liberec for the period 2009-2015" and "Investment programme of the Technical University of Liberec - updates". Generel TUL was developed in 2003 and its aim was to map the capacity utilization potential of the university. This Generel is meant to be an open environment. The structure of its document, the solution of the proposed parts and the balance of the suggested capacities in the summary tables provide the university management with a tool allowing to prepare building investments and smoothly update the general when obtaining immediate information about capacities being available.

According to these documents, the construction phase of the Husova complex is currently being completed by the following actions:


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• reconstruction of workshops for a kindergarten, student club and university library,

• construction of the G building - the auditorium, lecture halls, laboratories and offices for lecturers and doctoral students of the university,

• revitalization of a forest park between Fibichova and Bendlova streets on the sport-recreational facility,

• creation of parking lots in the Husova area.

Reconstruction and the loft conversion at the Pbuilding P is being prepared. The building will serve the Faculty of Science, Humanities and Pedagogy for teaching activities in the field of primary education. A design project documentation being prepared for the reconstruction of the C building, which is expected to be completed in 2015. The building will be used by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science, Humanities and Education as well as by the Faculty of Mechatronics, Informatics and Interdisciplinary Studies.

A project documentation for the reconstruction of part of the E2 building is under way, reconstruction is expected in years of 2016 and 2017. The building will be used as a new university library. Besides, a number of environmental measures are being prepared to streamline the energy balance of buildings (i.e. insulation and reconstruction of the mantle at the dormitory buildings in Harcov, thermal insulation of E2 and S buildings).

It is assumed that the use of building S will be changed, H building will be optimized, the university library will be expanded to the E2 building, the building in the Třebízského street will be used for the university research projects.

Increase the quality of studies in connection with the implementation

of modern forms of teaching, to promote the internationalization of

the university.

Current status

TUL strives to contribute to the scientific, research, development and innovation activities and to become a pro-European research and development community in all spheres of activity, namely in teaching, research and support activities, on the basis of transparent evaluation procedures and quality management. It strengthens integration, collaboration and mutual communication of all its units. TUL develops its activities with a view to strengthening the position of the region.

In terms of teaching activites, TUL seeks to shift towards individual approach to students, with all the implications for the study organization, the involvement of students in research, the care of students and the employment of graduates. TUL improves research-related infrastructure for research through OP EC projects: support areas 2.2 and 2.4, OP R & DI: support area 4.1. and development programmes. In addition to all degree study programmes, the emphasis is placed on developing a lifelong learning system, including a third-age university, developing care for disabled students, and developing cross-border cooperation in the field of education. TUL supports further development of modern methods and creativity of educational activities (e.g. project-based learning methods, e-learning,


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blended learning), closely related to study programmes, the expected results of the teaching process and the characteristics of the target group of students.

TUL is currently continuing its internationalization activities, based on continuously supported activities stipulated in a long-term goal. The internationalization activities are carried out by individual faculties and institutes and are concentrated in teaching and scientific and research projects. The aim is to encourage employees to research, development and innovation, including talented students; to increase the qualification level of employees participating in research activities and to improve its age structure; to take advantage of the synergy effect by joint cooperation of professionals from different disciplines. The partial objective is to promote career development of younger researchers in the postdoctoral period of their professional development, particularly in the field of international contacts, top publishing activities, involvement in solving demanding scientific projects and acquiring a wide range of the so called soft skills important for effective dissemination of gained knowledge as well as the results achieved in science and research. The university also strives to develop international ties by increasing the share of adequate international mobility for both students and academics in international programmes in the field of study, teaching, science and research. Thanks to these exchanges, contacts are developed and thus contribute to various forms of international cooperation.

Implementation of practical and modern forms of teaching

Modern forms of teaching use a highly portable computer network with easy-to-access high-performance computing clusters, access to scientific databases, a sufficient set of e-learning courses, MOOC courses, and support for easy-to-use, yet secure authorizations, file and personal agendas. A prerequisite for achieving a high level of education and appropriate specialization is the knowledge of teachers and students of at least 2 foreign languages, English in particular. The university anticipates the interconnection of education with research, development, innovation, artistic and other creative activities, especially in follow-up and doctoral study programmes, the involvement of further education of academics in career structure, creation and development of conditions for study of people with special needs.

The TUL network is connected to the Internet at 10 Gbps through the CESNET2 national academic network, the backbone of which is located directly at the university. The core of the network is connected by back-up, 10-digit channels via DWDM routes to Prague, Hradec Králové and Ústí nad Labem. Also, the core backbone routes of the university network work at a rate of 10 Gbps. The network also covers Harcov dormitory buildings, which are connected to the spine by two independent 10 Gb / s connections. The dormitories are completely covered by Gigabit Ethernet, to which more than 3,000 student computers are connected. Internal wiring is implemented with Gigabit Ethernet, user authentication is performed through IEEE 802.1X protocol. The network is also introduced into smaller dormitories and hostels (Vesec, Hanychov facilities), which are connected by optical paths with a capacity of 1 Gb / s. The goal for the next period is to complete the interconnection of all 10 Gb / s university buildings with the Internet. It is assumed that this will allow for further virtualization of computing resources, and hence better capabilities of centralized management of learning software.


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Internationalization strategy

TUL strives to create a reputation for the dynamic institution of the Central European region. Internationalization contributes to greater awareness and involvement of teachers in current global trends in higher education and improves international multidisciplinary cooperation. Incorporating of international lecturers and researchers enriches degree programme curricula and brings new methods and approaches to education. International studies are an invaluable contribution to study as well. Besides, involvement of foreign students at the university provide Czech students with no international experience with completely new experience and a wider view of the world. TUL strives to strengthen English language teaching in all forms of study. Graduate compulsory and elective subjects taught in English will be introduced into the existing study programmes taught in Czech.

TUL will internationalize the study by using the tools listed below.

Erasmus +

For the 2014-2020 period, a new Erasmus + European Training Programme was launched to support core activities in the field of higher education. The key activities are as follows:

• KA1 on People Mobility projects,

• KA2 - collaborative and partnership projects that impact on the modernization and internationalization of higher education institutions and systems in partner countries,

• KA3 - support for education policy reforms.

TUL strives to develop activities primarily in KA1 with approximately 200 active bilateral agreements with college institutions from around 20 countries. There are approximately 250 of outgoing and approximately 80 of incoming university students. Outgoing students often study at Turkish, Spanish, German, Polish and Portuguese universities. Gradually, the university has established cooperation with universities from the Nordic countries, Finland and Sweden in particular. The goal is to re-engage with universities from the UK.

Besides, TUL encourages students to participate in practical or graduate placements where the students may verify gained theoretical knowledge in practice, whether in companies or research centers of partner universities. At present, about 40 of these internships are being realized in the academic year. The new Erasmus + programme offers students the opportunity to go abroad repeatedly, up to 12 months in each cycle of study. KA1 also includes staff mobility, i.e. training sessions enhancing the language and professional competencies of employees as well as developing of scientific and research cooperation. Annually, there are approximately 70 outgoing and incoming employees.

In general, the university shall not only pursue the growth of KA1-based mobilities, but focus on their quality as well. In order to improve the quality of student mobility, the university will expand foreign language courses for outgoing students and will ensure continuous access to the range of Czech language courses for incoming students. Key activity KA2 is a new opportunity for collaboration between partner universities. In this activity, five projects were submitted in the first call, one being successful.


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NEISSE University (UNIS)

Neisse University is a unique bachelor study programme in English within three countries recognized as charitable and promising. The widening of its ideas is hampered by legitimate concerns about cross-state legal, regulatory and operational complications. The ongoing goal is to stabilize the number of students (i.e. preferably 60 = 3x20, including those received from countries outside the EU). It is equally necessary to steadily stabilize pedagogical staff (for each participating university) composed of capable teachers willing to work on the project, continuously addressing and preparing other colleagues as well as keep and support guarantors of subjects working on NEISSE University. Besides, it is still necessary to strengthen the language skills of teachers and of the administrative employees involved in the project. One of the main priorities is to invite foreign specialists participating in UNIS, develop an institutionalized relationship with UNIS graduates (e.g. annual meetings) to take part in the events, promotions and innovations of the study programme. Marketing for UNIS needs will be continuously evaluated, with a focus on improving cooperation and taking account specific situations in individual countries and universities. New subject-areas will be carried out, mainly by involving other university units.

It is important to strengthen geographically and historically disadvantaged areas to maintain language diversification in Europe and cross-cultural differences.

Students with special needs, disabilities and social or other impairments

(including counselling)

Regarding the accessibility of higher education to students with special needs, disabilities and social or other impairments, TUL will:

• support students with social impairments in the form of scholarships,

• encourage students with socio-economical inequalities (e.g. by borrowing laptops during their studies),

• create conditions for students with special needs or disabilities,

• provide these students with support services, incl. study and personal assistance, etc.,

• promote technological innovation and interactive elements in teaching activities and study supports (e.g. digitalization) with regard to equal access to study opportunities,

• continuously modernize the Counselling Centre as well as TUL Support Center (APC), incl. special study rooms, compensatory and other aids particularly for students with special needs or disabilities,

• support students with special needs or disabilities by implementing and using modern information technologies,

• provide comprehensive counselling services including special-pedagogical diagnostics and diagnostics of specific learning disabilities,

• remove barriers to the accessibility of higher education for all applicants and students, incl. prospective students and students with special needs or disabilities,

• facilitate orientation for students with sensory disabilities (i.e. Braille labels, navigational beacons, etc.).


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Counselling services:

• ensure, or mediate counselling services for prospective students, university students, participants in lifelong learning and university staff in terms of study, career, psychological, social, special-pedagogical issues in order to reduce study failure and contribute to better employment of graduates in the labour market,

• enable academics and non-academics with further education, in an appropriate way to provide information to the target group, to develop cooperation with other universities in the Czech Republic and abroad; fostering active cooperation with IT, non-governmental non-profit organizations and foundations,

• develop cooperation with secondary schools in the field of acquiring students, incl. the services provided to students with special needs or disabilities, developing cooperation with non-governmental non-profit organizations and foundations,

• develop systematic cooperation with other universities in the Czech Republic and abroad, with the employment sector in the field of counselling.

Increase the level of education in the region and the Czech Republic

by offering study programmes and offering lifelong learning courses,

popularizing science and research for all ages.

Scholarly activities

The faculties organize a variety of events for students, graduates, employees and a broad professional public to gain insight into current affairs in faculty study programmes and subject-areas, gain new expertise, and integrate leading experts in the field. These are as follows:

• research and development activities for students,

• summer schools,

• workshops for doctoral students,

• seminars and workshops within Operational Programme Research, Development and Education,

• internships,

• educational excursions,

• scientific seminars,

• conferences, symposia,

• exhibitions,

• lectures from international academics and experts.


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Lifelong learning

TUL will support all lifelong learning initiatives, whether it is extension and broadening qualifications for middle-aged or third-age university for seniors. In all educational activities, the emphasis will be put on computer and financial literacy, on language skills. The university will foster the development of lifelong learning courses in cooperation with regional employers and labour offices in line with the requirements of the practice and also with a view to ensuring conditions for the study of people with specific needs.

Partial objectives:

• develop appropriate learning support and multimedia learning aids for combined and distance learning,

• innovate lifelong learning courses in connection with the introduction of a credit system,

• introduce a transparent mechanism for the recognition of study results,

• integrate lifelong learning courses into the system of internal evaluation of educational activities,

• provide courses for academics focusing on the effective use of information technologies in teaching, language skills and deepening of teaching qualification, taking into account the current trends in andragogy and in accordance with the standards common in the European Union countries and fulfilling, along with the basic course, the requirements for the award of international certificates,

• introduce a transparent offer of educational and study programmes for primary and secondary school teachers, as well as other pedagogical staff aimed at acquiring teaching qualifications and specialization in other subjects,

• expand the offer of courses on adult education and the specific problems of current schools,

• establish innovative and certified courses in health care according to the needs of the labour market or in cooperation with healthcare facilities.

TUL in region

TUL is a university which functions as a role model in the Liberec Region with respect to facilitating access to higher educational opportunities for all applicants exhibiting the required learning potential. It plays a major part in creating of qualified human resources and of continuing education within the framework of the Lifelong Learning System, e.g. the so-called project of "School of Masters" where Faculty of Mechanical Engineering provides lectures in specialized courses. TUL also represents a significant part of the research and development capacities of the Euroregion. Under the operational programme Cíl 3 to support cross-border cooperation between the Czech Republic and the Free State of Saxony (ERDF / Regional Operational Programmes) the university has been involved in five multi-annual joint research projects. "Innovative Vouchers of the Liberec Region" provided the Faculty of Textile Engineering direct (financially covered) cooperation with a company DTZ Liberec.


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The university participates in all events within Liberec Region and the Statutory City of Liberec focused on education, research and employment issues (e.g. the Employment Pact of the Liberec Region, etc.).

Popularization of science and research for all ages

The university will continue with projects aimed at children of all ages. For preschool children, the university will expand the content of the newly established University Kindergarten on technical and natural education issues, for children from primary schools it will continue at the Children's University. For children from primary and secondary schools, TUL will organize summer holiday stays; during the winter and summer semesters, a total of 68 different courses in robotics, electrical engineering, multimedia, applied physics, microbiology and modern 3D technology are being prepared.

In order to popularize science and research, the Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technology and Innovation (CxI TUL) provides the following operational programmes: Education Projects for the Effective Transfer of Technology and Knowledge in Science and Technology, Theory in Practice and Training System for Personnel Security Research and Development in the Field of Modern Surface Engineering - Surface Integrity.


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INTERNATIONALIZATION

Three priority areas were identified:

1. Expand international professional cooperation with important partners from around the world.

2. Increase the share of integration of international students and academic employees into educational and research activities TUL.

3. Ensure adequate and effective short and long-term international mobility options of students, academics and non-academics.

Expand international professional cooperation with important partners

from around the world.

The quality of research activity is an important indicator of the work results by which the university is evaluated. Enhancing collaboration with foreign partners will not only lead to the personal growth of individual researchers, but will also make a significant contribution to the achievement of highly rated results that will be reflected in the institution's funding. With increasing volume and providing quality assurance of TUL experts and their involvement in solving complex scientific tasks, the university's position will be strengthened and other opportunities for cooperation with international partners will be enhanced, as well as the improvement of the scientific and teaching activities.

Initial stage:

TUL is involved in three projects of the 7 EC Framework Programme, one Marie Curie project and one EU LIFE + project. This represents 5.1% of all research projects. The individual TUL units have contracted various bilateral and multilateral relationships with international partners. In spite of the effort to register centrally, the way in which these relationships are carried out is often exclusively the matter of individual faculties or institutes. Many information on the actual implementation of the cooperation remains at these university units.

Target status:

TUL will gradually increase its involvement in other projects with strategic international partners. Increase the number of bilateral and multilateral contracts with leading foreign universities, institutions and business entities, increase the share of international employees in different positions in the form of different employment-legal relationships.

Monitoring indicators for the planned period:

The number of international TUL projects, which could grow by about 15% by 2020.

Tools for achieving the set objectives:

Basic prerequisites are the international contacts and the preparedness of the university to provide, receive and implement international projects. Multiplying and strengthening these assumptions requires open inter-faculty cooperation.

TUL will support these activities:


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Participation in international conferences and international publishing.

• establishing financial reserves for participation in conferences and international publications,

• organizing international conferences within TUL,

• creating motivational incentives for employees involved in this activity,

Quick and proactive submission of successful project proposals.

• establishing a grant expert position to look for and process grant applications in collaboration with individual university units,

• involving international experts in the preparation of the grant application and the team of investigators

• involving in international GA CR, TA CR, Horizon 2020 and other international schemes,

• identifying other possibilities for involvement in international projects and their funding.

Mapping the existing cooperation with international partners and its developing, including the involvement of international experts.

• sharing experience of individual university units, mandatory and unified registration of all projects in one place.

Enabling habilitation and professorship management for international academics and honoring academic degrees.

• possibility for habilitation and professorship management for international experts,

• awarding honorary academic degrees to prominent personalities from collaborating international workplaces.

Utilization of TUL membership in major international professional organizations.

• mapping existing organizations to which TUL is a member in order to evaluate benefits and consider extending or abolishing membership,

• gathering information at one university-wide unit,

• recognizing organizations to which TUL should be involved with regard to the focus of research activities.

Involving the university in rankings (particularly the Times Higher Education Ranking and QS Ranking).

• conduct a survey on what information are essential in order to be prepared for external evaluation for involving in rankings,

• establishing conditions TUL placement in rankings.

Partial tasks within priority No. 1

• The management will financially support publishing in world databases.


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• Subject-area boards for doctoral studies include international doctoral conferences in study programmes that will support the collaboration of professionals from many countries.

• The management of both the university and units will propose an incentive system to support the initiative and the willingness of employees to engage in science and research activities.

• The management of faculties and institutes will create administrative and organizational conditions for solving major scientific projects at university units.

• TUL will set up a department in order to prepare turn-key conferences for the needs of TUL and will create a portfolio of conferences and major publications that will be published on the website.

• In connection with the growth of the agenda in English, the International Office, in cooperation with other units, will prepare a database of well-trained translators and proofreaders whose services the unit can use.

• TUL will enhance grant and project advisers who are able to process the grant applications correctly (in terms of correct language as well) and to actively seek out cooperation and grant opportunities.

• The involvement of talented foreign students in doctoral programmes, their graduates and post-docs and their involvement in the scientific and teaching activities within TUL will be enhanced.

• The Technology Transfer Department will create a network of both cooperating companies in the Czech Republic as well as abroad, and international partners interested in collaborating on research projects.

• The Rector's offices will prepare consortia within the Czech Republic as well as in the Euroregion NISA for a joint process in internationalization, joint projects and Best Practice exchange.

• TUL experts will participate in international events on popularization of science, such as FameLab organized by the British Council.

• Rectoral departments will record all forms of cooperation of all university units in order to assess the quality.

• Units authorized to conduct habilitation and professorship procedures offer these procedures to international prospective students.

• TUL management will advise TUL representatives to the management structures of international programmes and will seek to increase TUL membership in international networks, professional associations and professional organizations.

• TUL management, in synergy with all university units, will prepare required information for TUL involvement in rankings.

• The Rector's offices, in collaboratin with other university units, will unify and prepare user friendly web presentation of the university in English to provide information about the research and teaching activities.


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Increase the share of integration of international students and

academic employees into educational and research activities TUL.

Integration of international employees and students into the university brings internationalization of life in classrooms, throughout the campus, creates the conditions for the so-called internationalization in the home environment, provides the possibility to compare the teaching, research and management situation at the university with a similar situation abroad. Besides, it provides multilingual encounters in practice and enables the growth and development of all students and university employees, significantly complements the budget. Satisfied and competent TUL graduates after returning to their countries strengthen position as a major educational institution in the Czech Republic as well as abroad.

Initial stage:

As of 31 October 2014, a total of 436 foreign students are enrolled in the study programmes, of which 5 are fee-paying students.

As of 1 November 2014, TUL employs a total of 77 employees who are not of Czech nationality.

Under the Erasmus + program, TUL has concluded 127 cooperation agreements. Other forms of cooperation are not systematically captured and processed.

In the academic year 2013/2014, there were 131 internatinal incoming students under the Erasmus programme and 3 incoming students within international internship. 38 academics were involved in teaching activities, 31 were involved in trainings. In the winter semester of the 2014/15 academic year, 65 international incoming students are studying at TUL.

Target status:

It is obvious that the number of international incoming students is relatively low and, above all, the number of fee-paying students is unsatisfactory. Besides, the current data show an uneven distribution of international incoming students at the individual university units, where study programmes accredited in English are offered.

Monitoring indicators for the planned period:

• Increasing the number of international incoming students at all faculties and institutions by 10%, of which at least 50% of fee-paying students. Moreover, increasing the number of international employees.

• Increasing the number of Erasmus + contracts in all faculties and institutions.

• Completing the mapping and evaluation of sub-project bilateral projects by the end of 2016. By the end of the 2014-2020 reporting period, they should be systematized and increased to at least twice.


• Prepare the TUL environment for increasing numbers of international students.


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• Promote the study programme offer abroad.

• Increase in the number of study programmes accredited in English and the number of Joint / Double Degrees.

• Making TUL more attractive.


TUL strives to achieve targets in terms of increasing the number of international students and employees from around the world, but will geographically focus primarily on strategically significant Asian countries (i.e. India, China, South Korea, Pakistan), South Africa and Brazil.

Preparing the university environment for increased numbers of international students.

• The Internatinal Office, in collaboration with other university units, will complete the preparation of all documents and information systems in English - a "bilingual" environment will be created.

• The Vice-Rector's Office for Iternational Affairs, in cooperation with the Internatinal Office, will develop the participation of student organizations in organizing the life of students from abroad and revitalizing the university environment.

• The Internatinal Office will prepare transparent promotional materials that will provide all the required information for prospective international students.

• The Internatinal Office, in cooperation with other university units (i.e. the study departments), will prepare a material package / student's guide with all the information the student receives before arrival.

• University units providing study programmes for international students will develop study materials in English (university textbooks, online support study materials).

Promotion of study programmes abroad.

• Develop and equip the Internatinal Office so that it is the central information hub for internationalization for the Rector, faculties and employees.

• The Internatinal Office will develop procedures to support faculties in their efforts to establish, maintain and foster international cooperation and attract new international incoming students following the clearly formulated needs of individual faculties.

• The university management and the Internatinal Office will evaluate and coordinate the promotion procedures at international fairs, the university presentations in unpaid and paid study portals, advertising in foreign journals, organizing seminars on TUL study programmes in border areas in Poland, attending and organizing International Staff Weeks, etc.

Increase in the number of study programmes accredited in English and the number of Joint / Double Degrees.

• All relevant departments will work to accredit / consolidate / apply for prolongation of existing study programmes accredited in English.


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• The head of university units (departments) will ensure adequate staffing with relevant language skills so that subjects can be taught in English. Priority will be put on attracting and employing international experts in positions where there is a lack of Czech experts.

• The selected university units (departments) will establish an offer for special study programmes for international incoming students - one-semester courses, summer schools.

• The university will increase the number of foreign publications listed in the list of compulsory literature in the curriculum and syllabi and, in cooperation with the university library, ensure appropriate library collections.

• The faculty and institute managements will ensure a significant increase in the number of English-accredited subject-areas and will systematically work to increase the number of Joint / Double Degrees.

The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the Faculty of Mechatronics and Interdisciplinary Studies have used the CRP to deepen relations with a Canadian partner, and are currently in talks to conclude a new contract to establish a joint study programme with Canada.

TUL has been accredited by the European Federation of National Engineering Associations (FEANI) for graduates of the Textile Faculty and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, who can apply for an international EUR ING degree after completing a 2 year "engineering" practice in the textile and engineering industries. This professional designation is a guarantee for European employers that their holder has received European level education and professional engineering quality.

Making TUL more attractive

• Ensuring fast and efficient recognition of international studies and, if necessary, the use of services of other university or foreign representatives.

• Developing a system for cooperation with foreign representatives, with who recognition will be ensured in synergy.

• Faculties will provide a clear system of scholarship offers for international incoming students, including sports scholarships.

• Faculties and departments will seek to attract and invite international academics to achieve reciprocity in the stay of our academics abroad and their partners in our country.

• Faculties will strive to attract and invite prominent experts from universities abroad as well as professionals from practice.

• The subjects taught in English will be included in the compulsory curriculum and will be enrolled by both Czech and international inocming students, thus reducing the isolation of international students attending lectures.

• Czech language courses will be offered to international students.

• A database of international graduates for further cooperation, evaluation and recommendation for changes leading to the improvement of study will be established.


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• Ensuring closer cooperation between the TUL, the Labour Office and the Foreign Police in order to proceed application process of international students to long-term residence permit, visa requirements and the participation options in the work process involvement in the Czech Republic.

• The Rectors' Conference will put pressure on simplification of legislation so that students do not leave unnecessarily.

• Relevant university units will create proposals for progressive teaching forms and methods combined with full-time study and e-learning.

Ensure adequate and effective short and long-term international

mobility options of students, academics and non-academics.

Student and staff mobility is a prerequisite for improving the teaching activities of the university. Its growth is expected both in terms of quantity and quality improvement, so that it is truly effective for the following activities within TUL. Mobility participants abroad acquire the competences needed in today's globalized world. They are acquainted with new cultures, are able to approach problem solving in a new way, develop working skills in an international team, learn to communicate better in a foreign language, gain independence, are more creative and flexible. Furthermore, they bring back acquired skills and competences to their alma mater and enrich them with gained knowledge, their employability increases. Well-prepared TUL graduates establish international reputation fro the university.

Initial stage:

Evolution of student mobility in LLP Erasmus in academic years of 2009 / 10-2013 / 14.

Evolution of academic and non-academic mobility in LLP Erasmus in academic years of 2009 / 10-2013 / 14.


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In the academic year 2013/14, there were 149 outgoing students and 41 completed a work placement abroad. Besides, there were 59 academics involved in teaching assignments, 8 employees attended the training abroad. In the winter semester 2014/15, there was a total number of 160 outging TUL students within Erasmus +.

Target status:

In accordance to the European objectives (the Bologna process), it is necessary to increase the number of outgoing students. However, it is necessary to take into account that it is possible to increase the amount of Erasmus + budget funds by about 10% each year.

Monitoring indicators for the period of 2014–2020:

Achieve 20% of the outgoing student who attend at least part of their studies at a partner school abroad. Increase the mobility of academics and significantly promote the mobility of non-academics.


• Improve mobility.

• Provide easy access to information on mobility, internships, training, job shadowing, etc.

• Increase funding for mobility.

• Find other ways to fund mobility.


Improve mobility

• Carry out audit of signed contracts and, if necessary, decide to terminate them.

• Establish a periodic stay of Erasmus coordinators at partner institutions to assess quality.

• Introduce a thorough data collection methodology.

• Highly support the mobility of non-academics in all forms of work placements and internships, training and job shadowing.

• Provide all outoing employees with the appropriate amount of promotional items to promote the TUL and establish any further cooperation with the partner institution.

• Require partial study in doctoral programmes at an international institution.

• Provide outgoing students with relevant language skills, to strive to reinforce and unify requirements for knowledge of languages on university-wide level.

• In case of a sufficient number of people interested in outgoing study, prefer those who do not go repeatedly.

• Increase the number of bilateral contracts and register them centrally.

• Quit "random" contracts, replace them with targeted direction of individual university units from a professional point of view in order to ensure key contact on every continent or by significant educational institutions.


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Provide easy access to information about mobility, internships, training, job

shadowing, etc.

• The Internatinal Office will actively search for and collect information on mobility options and make them available on the web, will provide councelling services for Czech students and employees.

• Organize regular seminars for all employees and students about mobility opportunities.

• Engage in projects to collect mobility data, create tools and platforms in order to efficient and transparent utilizing mobility funding.

• Share knowledge and experience with other universities in the Czech Republic on regular basis.

Increase funding for mobility.

• Increase the volume of funds in the TUL Mobility Fund.

• Establish funds at individual faculties and institutes.

• Enhance the Erasmus + budget.

Search for other relevant ways to finance mobility.

• Involvement of TUL in educational networks, consortia to increase mobility and deepen professional cooperation.

• Establish an alumni organization to raise funds.

the tul strategic development plan for 2020 with a forward ... · regional organization (rko-era)...

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