Project Activities

Projects: A Driving Force for Change and Innovation at Our Faculty

Our faculty employs projects as a key source of funding for significant changes and innovations in both teaching and research. Thanks to project support, we modernize study programs, improve facilities for students, academic staff, and administrative employees, and enhance the professional level of our lecturers.

Support for education through preparatory courses, the integration of modern technologies into teaching—such as LMS Moodle, educational videos, and new textbooks—are just some of the ways in which projects contribute to improving the educational process.

Through internal scientific grants (IGA), we provide both academics and students with opportunities to secure funding for their own research, data acquisition, econometric software, and other necessary resources. Projects also play a major role in supporting internationalization of studies—for example, under the ESF I project our faculty established cooperation with the Permanent Mission of the Czech Republic to the OECD in Paris, where we regularly send Master’s students for internships. Another part of our activities is the expansion of courses taught in English.

Overview of Faculty Development Projects

Did You Know?

The growing importance of project-based funding in higher education allows universities to transfer part of their operating costs from the state budget to the EU or other external providers. However, this funding model often comes with increased administrative burdens, which universities must absorb. As a result, entire departments dedicated to project administration and management—project offices—are being established. This process contributes to the bureaucratization of universities (Kozak & Klement, 2024), often at the expense of teaching and research.

Reference:
Kozak, J., & Klement, J. (2024). Flashbacks of the bad old days? The bureaucratization of Czech universities in the post-communist era. Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-024-01239-5

Current Projects

Ph.D. Infra Project

The project Development of Infrastructure for Doctoral Study Programs at the University of Economics, Prague is funded by the Jan Amos Komenský Operational Programme and runs from February 2024 to May 2026. Its goal is to modernize the infrastructure of doctoral programs at the University of Economics, including software and hardware investments and the creation of a coworking space (NB35A) for doctoral students and academics at the Faculty of Economics. The project aims to increase the attractiveness, efficiency, and quality of Ph.D. studies and to strengthen the international competitiveness of doctoral students. The total project budget is nearly CZK 40 million, with CZK 1.15 million allocated to our faculty.

Green Deal Project

The Green Deal Project at the University of Economics, Prague—under the title Sustainable Education and Environmental Development (SEED)—is part of the National Recovery Plan and focuses on supporting the green and digital transformation in education. Our faculty will contribute CZK 1.26 million to the total project budget of CZK 42 million. Within the project, four lifelong learning courses and one subject titled Sustainable Finance and Economic Policy will be developed. Additionally, five existing courses will be innovated to reflect the advantages and disadvantages of green policies.

Completed Projects

ESF I Project

The Development of the University of Economics – ESF I project was implemented between 2017 and 2022 with the aim of supporting and developing various areas of education and management. Funded by the Operational Programme Research, Development and Education, the project focused on:

• Staff training (internal and external programs for lecturers and administrative staff)

• Development of courses taught in foreign languages

• Support for students with specific needs

• Internationalization (cooperation with foreign institutions)

• Curriculum development (re-accreditation based on practice requirements)

• Improving quality and effective management (creation of a project office)

This project significantly contributed to strengthening the position of the University of Economics in managerial and economic education.

NPO Moodle Project

The NPO Moodle Project, part of the National Recovery Plan, started in July 2022 and will conclude in June 2024. With funding exceeding CZK 115 million, the project focuses on modernizing and digitalizing higher education at the University of Economics, Prague. Its goals include:

• Digitalization of education and study agendas

• Development of distance and online teaching

LMS Moodle enables easy access to study materials anytime and anywhere, thus supporting flexible learning. With interactive features such as quizzes, discussion forums, and feedback, it increases student engagement and motivation. Moodle also simplifies monitoring student progress and providing individualized support, thereby improving learning outcomes.

This project has transformed the content and delivery of higher education, adapting study programs to modern demands.

Get Involved!

Information on open calls and funding opportunities is available at:
https://vse.sharepoint.com/sites/ProjektovaKancelar

Would you like to become part of our faculty’s innovative projects? Join us! You will gain a unique opportunity to participate in real research, contribute to the modernization of teaching, and develop your professional skills. Whether you are a student, academic, or administrative staff member—your ideas and enthusiasm are welcome. Contact us at josef.klement@vse.cz or visit us in office NB321 to learn more about how you can take part in projects that are shaping our faculty for the better.

Examples of Activities Supported by Projects

• Preparatory course for subject 5HP501 Macroeconomic Analysis (funded by ESF I)

• Graduate Wednesday, January 25, 2023 (funded by ESF I)

• NF Alumni Mentoring – connecting alumni with current students (funded by ESF I)

• Internship of our student at the Permanent Mission of the Czech Republic to the OECD in Paris – Budget Committee session (funded by ESF I)

• Internship of our student at the Permanent Mission of the Czech Republic to the OECD in Paris (funded by ESF I)

• Example of new Moodle courses for four subjects (funded by NPO Moodle)