Published: 10.01.2022
Our graduate, excellent scientist and lover of hiking. This is the future Rector of the University of Pardubice. Professor Libor Čapek will head the University from February 2022.
What comes to your mind when you hear “University of Pardubice”?
A heart matter. I am grateful for it being my alma mater and I am proud that I can work here. I see students who will be successful in their professional and personal life. I see the University of Pardubice as a multidisciplinary institution.
You are a great scientist, leader of an excellent team and a teacher. Now you will be the Rector which is a completely different job. How do you plan to make these roles work together?
At present, it is no longer enough to be just a scientist or a teacher. Every project investigator must also be a good manager and be able to deal with people. In this context I believe that as the Rector of the University of Pardubice I can use my long-term experience with project management involving several universities and industry partners. Of course, it is virtually impossible to combine the position of the Rector with my current educational and scientific work. Science and research is not only about me but about the whole team. Naturally, a number of activities will be taken over by younger colleagues who I have worked with for a long time. I firmly believe that my advice and suggestions will continue to be beneficial for the group. On the other hand, I believe I will continue to have lectures, albeit to a lesser extent. The position of the Rector of the University of Pardubice is a great challenge and a great commitment for me. Holding this position will be my priority. I hope that after my term of office there will be a clear result of my work and the work of my team. A result that the whole academic community will appreciate.
What will you focus on as the Rector?
The University of Pardubice must rely on a clearly defined and sustainable mix of educational, scientific-research and creative activities. I would like to support synergies within the activities of our seven faculties. Firstly, I will encourage discussion to increase the attractiveness of the study programmes we offer. This will involve the potential for the establishment of new study programmes. Later, there will be space for the preparation of professional study programmes. I also see a great potential in the preparation of multidisciplinary study programmes involving multiple faculties.
As far as science and research is concerned, I would like to emphasize the development of larger teams who will be competitive in the Czech Republic as well as abroad. Today’s extremely turbulent times have increased the need for digitization and automation of services and processes. I believe we should take this opportunity to reduce the administrative burden on our employees. I would also like to see the modern university facilities and our campus provide space for various events and I would appreciate if our university was regularly visited by future students and the public for science communication events.
Do you see any space for further development of the University of Pardubice in the order of years?
Yes. There is definitely space for continuous improvement. After all, if I didn’t see the space, it would not make sense for me to become the Rector. Just as our graduates undergo further training in their fields, our university must constantly evolve, modernize and bring new trends. In order for it to be attractive for students and employees.
What do you think the future of the University of Pardubice should look like?
The University of Pardubice should forever be among the ten leading universities in the Czech Republic. I see the University of Pardubice as a modern institution that provides high-quality space and facilities so that students are proud of studying here and employees are proud of working here.
Which place in Pardubice do you like the most and why?
My favourite place around Pardubice is Kunětická hora. It is an interesting place and above all it is the nearest hill. I like mountains and hiking. I often take my family to more distant places, even for a single day. We have recently taken a liking in the Giant Mountains, especially around Špindlerův Mlýn and Harrachov.
Prof. Ing. Libor Čapek, Ph.D.
(1975)Vice-Rector for Science and Development and Head of Department of Physical Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemical Technology. Received his engineer degree in 1998 in physical chemistry at the Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice. Wrote his dissertation at Jaroslav Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. Defended his dissertation in 2004 at the University of Pardubice in physical chemistry entitled “Structure of Co-centers in beta zeolites. Selective catalytic NO reduction by propane in Co-zeolites in the presence of water vapor”. For outstanding doctoral study results received the Award of the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports. Crucial for his career was his doctoral study in the scientific group led by Dr. Blanka Wichterlová, where he had the opportunity to participate in the research of catalysts for transport vehicles. In 2009 became associate professor and in 2017 became professor in physical chemistry at the University of Pardubice. In the long term focuses on the research of heterogeneous catalysis and photocatalysis. Since 2007 has been involved in major projects, was the Chair of the Academic Senate of the Faculty of Chemical Technology, is member of scientific boards of various universities and is member of the National Accreditation Bureau. In 2019–2020 was the Vice-Dean for Science and in 2020 became the Vice-Rector for Science and Development. In November 2021 was elected candidate for the Rector of the University of Pardubice.
