Aware of the responsibility that comes from such a strong historical legacy, we want to ensure that the promotion of education and science in the Czech Republic will always be a top priority in the future. Regardless of political preferences, we appeal to politicians to adopt this intention as their own and to support and strengthen the independence of universities and freedom of scientific research in addition to stable funding.
The excellent results of basic and applied research and the work of outstanding university graduates do not only strengthen the economic condition of the country. They also support its democratic direction and openness to the world, which is essential for excellent science.
We are watching with concern the developments in some countries where important research activities are being curtailed and stopped day by day, and where many academics prefer to self-censor in order to comply with often nonsensical ideological demands. The impact will be felt all over the world, because science at the highest level is fundamentally global and based on the cooperation of scientists from different countries.
One hundred years after the foundation stone was laid at the Dejvice Campus, on which later grew the top educational and research institutions focused mainly on technical and natural sciences, we feel the need to raise our voice in support of them for years to come. Quality education and international scientific cooperation are the greatest assets our country possesses. The Czech Republic has no future without experts who, in the reality of life, solve absolutely fundamental social problems and challenges.
Signed: CTU – Zbyněk Škvor
NTK – Martin Svoboda
CU – Milena Králíčková
IOCHB – Jan Konvalinka
ICT – Milan Pospíšil