The seal, the sceptre, the key, the ring, and the Rector’s chain medal. These five items symbolize the rights and duties of Charles University’s Rector. On 11 March, they were handed over to Jiří Zima. At the ceremonial inauguration in the Great Hall of Carolinum, his predecessor Milena Králíčková officially passed them on to him.
The Rector’s inauguration is a traditional ceremony during which the newly elected Rector assumes office and takes on all the rights and responsibilities associated with the position. The University has been headed by Rectors since Emperor Charles IV founded it in the mid-14th century. Although the length of the term of office and the associated rights and responsibilities have changed over time, the essence remains the same – to represent the oldest Czech university and set the direction it should take.
The ceremonial culmination of the handover of office, held on the second Wednesday in March at the historic Carolinum, was attended not only by members of Charles University’s academic community, but also by leading representatives of the state, other domestic and European universities, and public institutions. The ceremony was led by Vice-Rector for Engagement and Societal Impact Martin Vlach, who opened the meeting by inviting attendees to observe a minute of silence in memory of the recently deceased Rector Emeritus Karel Malý.
Among the guests was Robert Plaga, Minister of Education, Youth, and Sports. In his short speech, he appealed to representatives of Charles University, the oldest and largest university in the country, to support the development of Czech higher education, in part by cooperating on a new higher education act. “I can assure you that this will not interfere with the autonomy of universities, but will enable their elected representatives to manage them more effectively, thus allowing us to fully utilize the human resources potential that exists in our universities,” said Minister Plaga.
Minister Robert Plaga also greeted those present at the inauguration.
The new rector and the election process were presented to the audience by Josef Staša, chair of the Charles University Academic Senate. Then, as is tradition, outgoing Rector Milena Králíčková gave a summary report on the university’s status, life, and activities from 2022 to 2026, when she headed it. “I am proud that we have managed to strengthen the university’s economic stability, and during my term of office, average salaries at the university have increased by 34 percent. The university’s annual budget increased by CZK 2.9 billion, and I also consider it a success that we have been able to start receiving donations from donors –most recently, for example, a donation of CZK 48 million from The Kellner Family Foundation to support the return of excellent scientists,” said the Rector. “We have paid close attention to our students. We have increased the capacity of our psychological counseling services by more than 200%, established a Resilience Centre, and strengthened our system of support for the well-being of students and employees with a range of preventive activities, such as the Centre for Mental Health,” she added.
Rector Emeritus Milena Králíčková during her closing speech.
The departing Rector also recalled how much emphasis she placed on the international dimension of all university activities, as evidenced by the growing volume of international projects and increased mobility. She also mentioned the introduction of lifelong learning courses culminating in micro-certificates, which enable people at different stages of life to augment and develop their education and professional skills.
Jiří Zima then took over the inauguration items from Milena Králíčková: the seal, the Rector’s sceptre, the key, the ring, and the gold chain medal. The seal symbolizes the rights that the state entrusts and grants to the university. Currently, newly elected university representatives receive a replica of the original medieval seal, which, together with the founding charter, is the oldest preserved monument of Charles University.
Jiří Zima also took over the Rector’s sceptre topped with the cross as a symbol of his authority over the entire Charles University academic community. The key then refers to the university’s property and assets, which the Rector must manage responsibly. The ring symbolizes an indivisible bond with the entire university community. The chain with a medal, which the Rector wears at various ceremonies and official meetings, is a sign of the dignity of the highest academic office and a symbol of all the rights conferred on the Rector.
Following his oath of office, Jiří Zima delivered his inaugural address to the audience. “My goal is for Charles University to be an institution that is steadfast in its values and bold in its decisions. I want it to be able to combine tradition with modern management, academic autonomy with social responsibility, and excellence with humanity. I want people to work and study here in an environment that is demanding but fair, open, and trustworthy,” emphasized the new Rector.
He also took a moment to introduce the research topics he had pursued as an analytical chemist and recalled the thorny path chemistry had to take before establishing itself as an independent scientific discipline.
Concluding his address, Rector Zima emphasized the importance of international cooperation and opportunities to travel abroad to gain new inspiration and expand one’s knowledge for the development of science and education at the university. “Without foreign experience, people easily become closed off in their own circle, stop developing, try fewer new paths, and gradually lose the ability to be a real asset to those around them. Of course, I must also admit that it is precisely because of this experience that one becomes even more aware of the value of the things and relationships one has at home,” he noted, repeatedly emphasizing the support he received not only from his colleagues, but above all from his wife and entire family.
He also thanked outgoing Rector Milena Králíčková for her work over the past four years in developing the university and promoting its good name abroad. On this occasion, he awarded Milena Králíčková the historic Charles University commemorative medal.
Professor Jiří Zima has become the 510th rector of Charles University. He was elected to the position, which he officially took up on 1 February, by secret ballot by the Academic Senate of Charles University last October. He was then appointed to the position by Czech President Petr Pavel at the Prague Castle in January this year. Jiří Zima will head the university until 2030.
