The University of Pardubice is a university-type higher education institution in Pardubice. According to its website, over more than seventy-five years of existence it has grown from a single-discipline higher education institution into a modern educational institution. Its history is closely linked to the development of the transport network and the food, engineering and chemical industries of the city and region.[1]
Founding of the School
In the autumn of 1945, a few months after the end of the Second World War, chemical factories in Pardubice came up with the idea of founding a School of Chemistry directly in Pardubice. It was not established until five years later, on 27 June 1950, by decision of the Czechoslovak government. Teaching began on 15 October 1950 in adapted premises of a bakery and confectionery trade school. The new school was headed by Dean Vilém Santholzer.[1]
In the following academic year, the school gained the use of a building that had previously belonged to a state industrial school on náměstí Československých legií. The building recently underwent extensive renovation and remains an important part of the university's campus. It is used by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, the Centre for Materials and Nanotechnology, and other educational and creative activities, mainly for doctoral students.[1]
Vysoká škola chemicko-technologická
In November 1953, the school's status changed. By government decree, the Vysoká škola chemicko-technologická, abbreviated in Pardubice as VŠChT, was established, with Jiří Klikorka as its rector. According to the university, besides him, other prominent scientists and educators worked at the school, such as Miroslav Jureček, founder of the Czech school of organic analysis, and analyst Jan Wanka. Together with other experts, they founded the first specialized departments.[1]
The school developed rapidly in Pardubice, known as the city of chemistry. The originally four-year course of study was extended to five years, and students could choose from seven specializations in chemistry and chemical technology, a number that later doubled. Due to the growing number of students and teachers, additional lecture halls and laboratories had to be provided. Construction of the facilities took more than fifteen years. In the early 1960s, a pavilion for the technology departments was built on the outskirts of the city, and north and west wings were added to the historic building in the centre. New dormitories, a cafeteria and sports facilities were built on the right bank of the Elbe, which still serve students today.[1]
Faculties after 1991
A significant milestone was 17 January 1991, when a new statute was adopted. For the first time, it enshrined the existence of two faculties — the Faculty of Chemical Technology and the newly established Faculty of Territorial Administration, the foundation of the future university. The Faculty of Territorial Administration responded to the need for qualified experts in public administration and self-government, as well as for newly emerging private companies, and in 1993 it was renamed the Faculty of Economics and Administration.[1]