Palacký University received the highest possible rating in the evaluation of research organisations in the higher education segment. The international evaluation panel commended the fact that science at UP does not remain confined to laboratories and that the university has a social impact, translating knowledge into practice. It also assessed the university’s strategic management. The evaluation results demonstrate that UP is a solid part of the national elite and is successfully strengthening its position in the international research arena.
Palacký University received an overall grade of A – Excellent – in the 2025 evaluation of research organisations in the higher education segment. This conclusion was reached by the tripartite committee based on materials from the international evaluation panel, the provider’s analysis, and the opinion of the expert advisory body.
“I would like to thank all employees and departments for their systematic work and dedication during this demanding evaluation of our university.” Rector Michael Kohajda
Preparations for the international on-site visit by evaluators to UP and the creation of extensive self-evaluation reports focused on social significance, management, and the strategy for research, development, and innovation at UP began in the spring of 2024, through careful collaboration among all university units. In recent days, this culminated in a significant recognition for the university.
“I would like to thank all employees and university units for their systematic work and dedication during this demanding evaluation of our university. Thanks to them, it has been confirmed—and we can rightly be proud—that we are among the national leaders in science and can continue on our current course,” said Rector Michael Kohajda.
Along with Palacký University, only seven other universities out of a total of 33 evaluated received the highest grade of A in the evaluation of research organizations in the higher education segment: Charles University, Masaryk University, the Czech Technical University in Prague (ČVUT), the Brno University of Technology (VUT), the University of South Bohemia (JČU), the University of Chemistry and Technology (VŠCHT), and the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design (UMPRUM).
The strict scrutiny of international experts
The evaluation (on-site peer review) was conducted by an international evaluation panel nominated by the universities and approved by the Ministry of Education, consisting of ten experts from leading institutions. It was chaired by Professor Jean-Pierre Gesson, a French chemist, long-time rector of the University of Poitiers, and an international expert with extensive experience in European evaluation agencies.
“The evaluation is highly informative precisely because it is based on the independent perspective of an international panel and a transparent process,” said Jiří Drábek, Vice Rector for Science, Creative Activity, and Knowledge Transfer, adding: “The highest rating is the result of the long-term work of the entire university. It has been confirmed that high-quality research, thoughtful strategic management, and coordinated preparation across all UP units are essential prerequisites for success.”
Science that helps society
The panel recognised strong examples of societal impact and the transfer of knowledge into practice—whether in the development of new diagnostic methods in medicine, advanced materials, cultural heritage preservation, modern education, or addressing current social and legal challenges.
The international panel also evaluated the university’s strategic management. In their final report, the auditors state that UP successfully implements the principles of Open Science and systematically supports young talent.
“The university’s vision of being an institution of excellence at the national level and beyond is justified by the high quality of its research, as well as by the systems and rules that have been created or innovated during this period. UP stands at the centre of current developments in the field of research evaluation in Europe,” the evaluation report states.
We will not rest on our laurels
The evaluation report also identifies areas where the university should strengthen its ambitions—international partnerships, success in prestigious European grants, support for early-career researchers, and research performance in certain social science disciplines.
“The result is a source of pride, but also a commitment. We view the report as a formative tool for the university’s further development. We will focus on achieving greater success in Horizon Europe programmes, particularly the ERC, on systematically supporting the doctoral and postdoctoral environment, on strengthening international visibility, and on supporting fields where the panel recommended increasing research productivity,” added Vice Rector Drábek.
conclusions of the tripartite meeting, are published on the website strategie.upol.cz.