The Academic Senate of UJEP has elected Jaroslav Koutský as rector for a further four-year term
At its meeting on 21 October 2026, the Academic Senate of Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem (UJEP) selected Associate Professor RNDr. Jaroslav Koutský, Ph.D., as its candidate for appointment as rector. The university’s current rector received strong support from 27 of the 39 senators who voted and, following his appointment by the President of the Republic, will continue to lead UJEP for the next term of office, 2027–2031.
Four candidates stood for the leadership of J. E. Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem: Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Martin Balej, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Jaroslav Koutský, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Ing. Jiří Orava, Ph.D., and Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Michal Varady, Ph.D. The election meeting of the UJEP Academic Senate was preceded by a gathering of the academic community on 14 October 2026, at which the candidates presented their programmes and answered questions from students and university staff.
Jaroslav Koutský, who has been at the helm of UJEP since March 2023, received 27 votes out of a total of 39 voting members of the UJEP Academic Senate. The result represents a strong mandate to continue leading the university and implementing its long-term strategy.
“I greatly appreciate the trust that the Academic Senate has once again placed in me. I see it not only as recognition of our joint work to date, but above all as a commitment for the years to come. I want to build on everything we have achieved, complete the projects currently underway, and further strengthen the quality of education and research, as well as our university’s standing in the regional and international arena. I am convinced that, together, we can take UJEP forward,” says Jaroslav Koutský.
In his election manifesto for the period 2027–2031, Jaroslav Koutský emphasises high-quality and attractive degree programmes, the development of internationally competitive research, the strengthening of the academic community, and cooperation with regional partners. He also regards the forthcoming reform of higher education as one of the key challenges, for which the university must prepare in good time.
Jaroslav Koutský to lead UJEP for a second term
Doc. RNDr. Jaroslav Koutský, Ph.D., has been working at the Faculty of Social and Economic Studies at UJEP since 2006. He served as its Dean from 2013 to 2021 and was Chair of the UJEP Academic Senate from 2008 to 2010. His academic specialisms include regional economics, economic geography, regional development and the transformation of industrial regions. He has held the post of Rector of UJEP since 18 March 2023.
Associate Professor Koutský’s second term of office will begin on 18 March 2027 and will run until 17 March 2031.
The candidate elected by the Academic Senate is appointed to the post of Rector by the President of the Czech Republic upon the recommendation of the Academic Senate, which is submitted via the Minister of Education, Youth and Sport.