Petr Kopecký is the rector of the University of Ostrava.[1][2]
The university's academic senate first elected him in 2023 in the first round of voting with 23 votes; he succeeded Jan Lata, who had led the university for two consecutive four-year terms and could not stand again.[1][2] Kopecký is also vice-chair of the Czech Rectors' Conference.[1][2]
On 26 October 2026 the academic senate elected him for another term. Three candidates ran for the post, and in the first round of the secret ballot Kopecký received 22 votes out of 38 senators; at least 20 were needed to be elected. Daniel Jandačka, dean of the faculty of education, received 13 votes, Zuzana Václavíková, dean of the faculty of science, two votes, and one senator abstained.[1][2] The election must still be confirmed by the President of the Republic through an appointment.[2]
Kopecký's current term ends on 28 February 2027, and the new mandate is to begin at the start of March and last until 2031. A rector may head the university for at most two consecutive four-year terms.[1][2] In his second term he says he wants to focus on the funding of universities, the new higher education act and the preparation of new accreditations.[1][2]
Chronology
- — The Academic Senate of the University of Ostrava re-elected the incumbent rector Petr Kopecký for another term in the first round of a secret ballot, with 22 of 38 senators voting for him. → Ostravská Drbna iDNES.cz: Ostrava
Sources
- Ostravská Drbna — 26 October 2026
- iDNES.cz: Ostrava — 26 October 2026