The election of the new MU Rector took place on Monday 3 April in Karel Engliš Auditorium in the building of the MU Faculty of Law. Only one candidate was nominated – the current MU Rector Martin Bareš. The new Rector was elected in a secret ballot by the Academic Senate of Masaryk University, which has a total of 55 members, including 22 students. An absolute majority of all MU Academic Senate members is required to elect a candidate.
The election of the Rector followed debates with the candidate taking place over the past days and weeks. The first discussion with both chambers of the Academic Senate was followed by a public debate in the Scala cinema and an online debate in the MU Information System. The deans of all ten MU faculties also supported Martin Bareš’s candidacy.
In his opening remarks, Martin Bareš highlighted the achievements of Masaryk University in science, research, education and its societal role over the past four years and noted that he considered the election day to be a very special and festive occasion, a celebration of the university’s autonomy and democratic self-government.
All 55 members of the MU Academic Senate were present for the election. Martin Bareš received 51 votes, thus securing an even stronger mandate from the senators than four years ago when he was elected with 36 votes.
“I am honoured by the result of today’s secret ballot. It represents a real commitment for me because I am fully aware of the many challenges and problems that lie ahead and will have to be tackled. I also see it as an expression of the senators’ desire to continue in the present course of development of the University and to strengthen its position both in the Czech Republic and on the international stage. I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome of the vote. It demonstrated great confidence in me and I promise that I will do everything in my power to ensure that I do not fail the expectations. I would like to thank all the senators for their support, and the same goes for my family – especially my wife – and my colleagues because one man alone can do nothing,” Bareš said shortly after the announcement of the results of the secret vote.
He also outlined the composition of the new MU management, i.e. his vice-rectorial team. Břetislav Dančák, Radim Polčák, Šárka Pospíšilová, Jiří Hanuš and Michal Bulant will continue serving as Vice-Rectors. He also mentioned candidates for two other vice-rectorial positions currently under deliberation, both of which should be filled by women.
Through the Minister of Education, the Academic Senate of Masaryk University will now issue the official formal nomination of Martin Bareš for appointment as Rector by the President of the Czech Republic. His second four-year term of office will begin on 1 September 2023 and end on 31 August 2027.
