Three candidates stood for the position of Rector of the University of Ostrava. Petr Kopecký, a scholar of American studies and literary historian, secured the required support in the first round of the secret ballot. To be elected, a candidate needed at least 20 votes from the Senate’s 38 members.

Daniel Jandačka, Dean of the Faculty of Education, received 13 votes, while Zuzana Václavíková, Dean of the Faculty of Science, received two. One Senate member abstained.

Building on the achievements of his first term

Following his re-election, Petr Kopecký thanked the Senate members for their renewed trust. He also highlighted the achievements of his first term: launching the Dentistry degree programme, developing LERCO and other strategic projects, beginning construction of new halls of residence, and strengthening research, knowledge transfer and international cooperation.

“Interest in studying at our University continues to grow. The University of Ostrava is more confident, more visible and better prepared for the next stage of its development. This is what I want to build on in my second term,” Kopecký said.

Supporting people and modernising the University

During his next term, Kopecký intends to focus primarily on supporting people’s development and improving working and study conditions.

“People are the University of Ostrava’s greatest asset, and in the coming years we want to devote greater attention and more of our available resources to their development. Our aim is to create better conditions for staff, students and doctoral students, while modernising the University, simplifying administration and making meaningful use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence,” he added.

His other priorities include strengthening links between basic and applied research and developing partnerships with industry and public administration.

The Academic Senate will now submit its nomination to the President of the Czech Republic for appointment. Petr Kopecký’s current term ends on 28 February 2027. His second four-year term is expected to begin on 1 March 2027 and run until 2031.

Petr Kopecký studied English Language Teaching at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Ostrava. He completed his doctoral studies and habilitation at the Faculty of Arts of Palacký University Olomouc. His research focuses on Anglo-American literature, ecocriticism and the relationship between literature and nature. He has served as Rector of the University of Ostrava since 2023 and was elected a Vice-President of the Czech Rectors Conference in June 2025.