General Information
Promoting Internationalization in the educational field is one of the important objectives of the faculty development. The Faculty of Education supports cooperation with foreign partners, both at the level of mobility and internships, as well as at the level of joint international projects and scientific research cooperation.
The main mobility programmes used by PdF UP include ERASMUS+ and CEEPUS. Within ERASMUS+, the faculty has concluded over 200 inter-institutional agreements and offers foreign students the possibility to choose from over 100 professional courses in a foreign language. In the area of project cooperation, we focus on EU projects such as Erasmus+ Teaching Academies, Partnerships for Innovation, Capacity Building in Higher Education, etc.
In the area of long-term non-European partnerships, the faculty has established cooperation with universities from the USA, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, Canada, Kazakhstan and others.
The faculty tries to support the development of students' global competences from its institutional resources also through short-term study mobility abroad. The aim is to enable as many students as possible to gain international, intercultural and professional experience.
Internationalization activities are also strengthened within the faculty environment by improving the quality of teaching of foreign language courses for both foreign and Czech students, supporting workshops and lectures by visiting foreign academics, strengthening the language and intercultural competences of relevant types of staff, etc.
For foreign applicants, the faculty offers several study programmes accredited in English. In the Bachelor's programme, these are the study programmes in Special Education and English Language for Education, and in the follow-up Master's programme Research and Development in Educational Studies. In the doctoral programme, international students can study in the study programmes Education, Special Education and Music Theory and Education.
History
The establishment and development of the Faculty of Education at Palacký University is closely linked to the implementation of higher education for teachers in our country. By a decree of the President of the Republic on October 27, 1945, higher education for teachers of all levels and types of schools was introduced in Czechoslovakia. Following this decree, the Provisional National Assembly issued a law that established faculties of education, which became part of universities in their respective locations. During the initial period of its existence (1946–1953), the Faculty of Education at Palacký University prepared educational professionals for kindergarten, primary, and secondary schools. In addition, the faculty conducted a number of courses for in-service teachers. In cooperation with the Faculty of Arts, it also prepared secondary school teachers in certain subjects, such as music, art, and physical education.
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Significant changes in teacher training occurred in 1950 when the faculty ceased preparing teachers for kindergartens and primary schools. In 1953, a comprehensive reform of teacher education took place. The faculty became the foundation for the newly established Higher School of Education. This meant that from 1954 to 1964, the Faculty of Education, in its original form and with its original mission, did not exist in Olomouc. During this decade, teacher training for kindergartens and the first stage of compulsory education was conducted outside the university, at the secondary school level. Teachers for the second stage of compulsory education were trained at higher pedagogical schools from 1953 to 1960 (there was no such school in Olomouc). In 1960, pedagogical institutes were established to train teachers for the first and second stages of compulsory education. By a legislative measure in August 1964, these institutes were transformed into faculties of education and incorporated into universities where they were located. The implementation of this measure marked the beginning of the current phase of development for the Faculty of Education in Olomouc. Since 1964, a wide range of teaching and education programmes have been offered and continue to be studied, covering all levels and types of schools (from kindergartens to secondary schools).
In the most recent period, there has been a certain specialization in teacher training for different school levels across all faculties of Palacký University, along with the establishment of new faculties. The Faculty of Education continues to focus primarily on preparing teachers and other educational professionals for the lower levels of the school system (including special schools). Since 1990, the faculty has also provided pedagogical qualifications for teaching students from all faculties of Palacký University.
After 1990, the Faculty of Education at Palacký University developed its profile as a faculty primarily preparing teachers for primary and special education. It also trained educators, teachers of music and art education for all school levels, teachers of vocational subjects for secondary medical schools, and teachers of pedagogy, among others. Additionally, it introduced new specialized studies in pedagogy, social work, and administrative activities in combination with pedagogy (mainly in part-time, previously distance learning programmes). The study of special education was newly structured to focus on all groups of individuals with special needs, as well as specialized studies for qualified speech therapists. The growing need for foreign language teachers in primary schools led to the establishment of departments for English and German, now part of the Institute of Foreign Languages.
Based on the provisions of the Higher Education Act and after approval by the accreditation commission, the faculty currently offers extensive doctoral studies in the fields of Pedagogy, Special Education, Anthropology, Music Theory, and Pedagogy.
Since 1990, the faculty has also been authorized to conduct habilitation procedures for associate professors and appointment procedures for full professors.
The prospect of further faculty development in this area is supported by newly structured bachelor's and follow-up master's programmes, with the potential for a renaissance of social science or natural science-oriented fields (and possibly others). The number of students has increased, and the range of lifelong learning opportunities has expanded significantly.
The faculty has significantly modernized and digitized the recording, organization, and evaluation of studies. The ECTS credit system has been implemented, ensuring compatibility of studies not only within the Czech Republic but also across the European Union.
Education, research and sustainability
The Faculty of Education at Palacký University (PdF UP) is fully responsible for ensuring the quality of its activities, particularly in education and research, as required by UP's institutional accreditation. The quality of accredited educational programmes is overseen by highly qualified guarantors, who are respected experts with international reputations.
Student involvement in the quality assurance process is actively promoted at all levels, with students holding significant roles in advisory bodies and the academic senate.
Palacký University systematically evaluates the quality of faculty activities in line with the amended Act No. 111/1998 Coll., which mandates that higher education institutions ensure the quality of their educational, creative, and related activities. This process is legally reinforced by the requirements of the National Accreditation Bureau, a key condition for institutional accreditation.
Special focus is placed on the academic and scientific staff, whose work is vital to the university's success in education and research. To support this, the university has developed and continues to enhance the Information System for Evaluating Academic Staff (IS HAP).
Palacký University recognizes its responsibility towards society and the environment, which is why it has committed to focusing on sustainable development and promoting its principles both within the university and to the public. Since May 2021, a Sustainability Coordinator has been working at Palacký University. The university's Sustainability Strategy outlines three key priority areas: operations and governance, educational and creative activities, and social responsibility, including the university's third mission. These areas align with the university’s mission to be a fully environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable institution. For more information, click here.