To be governed, but not controlled. A pair of former officials describe how they help Plaga outline a major reform of higher education
Former Czech officials Tomáš Fliegl and Šimon Stiburek have established a non-profit organization aimed at reforming higher education in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
Tomáš Fliegl and Šimon Stiburek have recently launched a non-profit organization based in Prague, focused on developing higher education reforms in the Czech Republic. Their organization, founded in mid-2022, builds upon their extensive experience in various capacities within the Ministry of Education and the National Accreditation Authority. Fliegl, who was the vice-chairman of the National Accreditation Authority, was closely associated with the current Minister of Education, Robert Plaga, and likely would have continued in a governmental role had he not ventured into this new initiative.
The establishment of their organization comes at a critical time for Czech higher education, as reforms are necessary to enhance the quality and relevance of academic programs. Fliegl expressed his desire to take personal responsibility for the impact of his work and emphasized the importance of remaining engaged with the Ministry to aid in the analysis and development of higher education policies. Their initiative aims to create a collaborative environment with the government rather than simply advising from the outside.
With education reform being a pressing issue in the Czech Republic, the work of Fliegl and Stiburek could potentially reshape the future of higher education in the country. By aligning with the Ministry's goals yet remaining independent, they hope to bring about meaningful changes that would benefit students and the educational landscape overall. Their approach reflects a balanced effort to influence reform while maintaining a level of autonomy to ensure that the new organization is not simply a branch of government administration.