A new associate professor [Docent] is appointed by the University Rector.  Prior to the appointment, his or her academic or artistic qualification is verified by the so-called habilitation procedure. The habilitation procedure begins once the candidate submits a proposal to the Dean of the Faculty or to the Rector.   In addition to the curriculum vitae, evidence of education and other documents, the candidate also indicates the field in which he/she requests the habilitation. An integral part of the proposal is the habilitation thesis and its defence. It can be a written work presenting new scientific knowledge, a set of previously published works supplemented by commentary, a printed monograph or one or more works of art. If the proposal does not contain all the required materials and the candidate fails to remedy the deficiencies, the Dean or the Rector stops the habilitation procedure. Otherwise, the proposal goes to the Faculty or University Scientific or Artistic Council.
A five-member habilitation committee is formed (at least three of its members are from a different workplace than the one where the procedure is held),  which appoints three opponents of the habilitation thesis. The committee then votes on whether the candidate should become an associate professor. The Scientific or Artistic Council also gives its opinion. At a public session, the candidate comments on the opponents’ reviews and defends his/her habilitation thesis. If the candidate succeeds, if the Council proposes his/her appointment, and if the Rector agrees with the proposal, the candidate is appointed associate professor by the Rector. The entire appointment process is regulated by Act No. 111/1998 Coll.

HABILITATION FIELDs

A new professor is proposed by the Scientific or Artistic Council of the University.  Through the hands of the Minister of Education, the proposal goes to the President of the Republic, who appoints the professor. During the process, the candidate - a prominent and respected personality in his/her field - must demonstrate the necessary pedagogical and scientific or artistic qualifications. It is assumed that the candidate has been appointed associate professor based on the prior habilitation procedure and submission of a habilitation thesis. In rare cases, however, the Rector may waive this requirement. At the request of the Dean or the Rector, the Scientific or Artistic Council sets up a five-member committee (at least three members are from a workplace other than the one where the procedure is held), which assesses the candidate and recommends him/her for nomination or stops the procedure. At a public session of the Council, the candidate then presents a lecture based on his/her work and teaching in the respective field. Following the lecture, the proposal for his/her appointment is approved by the Council and handed over to the Minister. The Minister passes the proposal on to the President. The process of appointing a professor is regulated by Act No. 111/1998 Coll.

FIELDS FOR APPOINTING PROFESSORS