Czech University of Agriculture Prague
Encyclopedia
Czech University of Agriculture in Prague, officially Czech University of Life Sciences Prague is a university in Prague
, the Czech Republic
, established in 1906.
dwells deep in the former Austrian Empire
, more than two centuries ago. In 1788 a department of agriculture was set up at the Prague University
. The first professors were pioneers of an advanced concept of education for agriculture. In 1812, the courses were transferred to the Technical Institute of Czech Estates
and, in 1845, classes in all the agricultural sciences were offered to the young rural population.
Independent studies of agriculture were set up at the Czech Technical University (ČVUT) in 1906, and the first agricultural engineers graduated in 1911. The development of the agricultural school system in Czechoslovakia continued: in 1920 the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry was established, in 1952 the university became independent under name University College of Agriculture in Prague (Vysoká škola zemědělská v Praze, VŠZ) and in 1966 it moved to a newly-built spacious campus
in Prague-Suchdol
, where it has been located since then.
Faculty of forestry, established in 1952 stayed until 1959 as a part of ČVUT, until 1964 as a part of agricultural university, then became independent Institute of Forestry Science (Vědecký lesnický ústav) and since 1990 it is again part of ČZU.
During rule of communist party in Czechoslovakia (until 1989) the university had been lavishly funded as a part of state support of collectivised agriculture.
Since 1995 the university bears its current name.
During 1952 - 1980 the complete Master's study took five years, until 1990 four years, then it switched back to five years. Since 1993 three years long bachelor
study is available.
The University also offers five two-year MSc programmes taught in English (Economics and Management, Natural Resources and Environment Forestry, Water and Landscape Management, Informatics, Technology and Environmental Engineering).
Two years long education programme for the elderly (Univerzita třetího věku, http://www.czu.cz/cz/?r=1119) is available.
In 2005 the Czech University of Life Sciences (CULS) became a Member in the Euroleague for Life Sciences (ELLS). Established in 2001 the ELLS network presently includes the following members:
Main fields of co-operation in ELLS are:
is an educational facility, founded in 1960 on farm that had formerly belonged to the office of the president of the Czechoslovak Republic. Around the farm were properties that had been established circa 1850 as a part of the Křivoklát Estate. In 1921 they were purchased by the Czechoslovak state together with Lány Castle and the forest districts. Lány Castle and the adjacent forests are now used as a retreat by the President of the Czech Republic
.
The main objective of the University Farm is to support all university activities. The farm offers good conditions for educational purposes, for practical training university level and also for students from other agricultural schools and for the public. It participates in the research work undertaken by departments and Faculties of the University.
The Farm cultivates 3,000 hectares of farmland with annual production of about 9,000 tonnes of grain, 2,000 tonnes oilseed rape and fodder crops for the farm's own use.
is a 4,600 ha forest with a castle, a garden centre, a sawmill, fishponds (70 ha) and facilities for the education of students.
Besides routine forestry operations, its main role is to assist in the education of students of the Faculty of Forestry, to organise experimental work and to serve for demonstration purposes. Practical experience in fish farming is also provided for students of the faculties agronomy and forestry.
Vice-Rectors 2006 - the Year of 100th Anniversary
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, established in 1906.
The History
The basis of agricultural education in Czech landsCzech lands
Czech lands is an auxiliary term used mainly to describe the combination of Bohemia, Moravia and Czech Silesia. Today, those three historic provinces compose the Czech Republic. The Czech lands had been settled by the Celts , then later by various Germanic tribes until the beginning of 7th...
dwells deep in the former Austrian Empire
Austrian Empire
The Austrian Empire was a modern era successor empire, which was centered on what is today's Austria and which officially lasted from 1804 to 1867. It was followed by the Empire of Austria-Hungary, whose proclamation was a diplomatic move that elevated Hungary's status within the Austrian Empire...
, more than two centuries ago. In 1788 a department of agriculture was set up at the Prague University
Charles University in Prague
Charles University in Prague is the oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic. Founded in 1348, it was the first university in Central Europe and is also considered the earliest German university...
. The first professors were pioneers of an advanced concept of education for agriculture. In 1812, the courses were transferred to the Technical Institute of Czech Estates
Czech Technical University in Prague
Czech Technical University in Prague is one of the largest universities in the Czech Republic, and the oldest institute of technology in Central Europe....
and, in 1845, classes in all the agricultural sciences were offered to the young rural population.
Independent studies of agriculture were set up at the Czech Technical University (ČVUT) in 1906, and the first agricultural engineers graduated in 1911. The development of the agricultural school system in Czechoslovakia continued: in 1920 the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry was established, in 1952 the university became independent under name University College of Agriculture in Prague (Vysoká škola zemědělská v Praze, VŠZ) and in 1966 it moved to a newly-built spacious campus
Campus
A campus is traditionally the land on which a college or university and related institutional buildings are situated. Usually a campus includes libraries, lecture halls, residence halls and park-like settings...
in Prague-Suchdol
Suchdol
Suchdol is the name of various places in the Czech Republic, including:Villages* Suchdol * Suchdol Small villages which are part of another municipality or cadastral area* Suchdol * Suchdol...
, where it has been located since then.
Faculty of forestry, established in 1952 stayed until 1959 as a part of ČVUT, until 1964 as a part of agricultural university, then became independent Institute of Forestry Science (Vědecký lesnický ústav) and since 1990 it is again part of ČZU.
During rule of communist party in Czechoslovakia (until 1989) the university had been lavishly funded as a part of state support of collectivised agriculture.
Since 1995 the university bears its current name.
During 1952 - 1980 the complete Master's study took five years, until 1990 four years, then it switched back to five years. Since 1993 three years long bachelor
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
study is available.
Present
The university offers bachelors´s programmes and Master´s programmes (based on credit system) and doctoral programmes.The University also offers five two-year MSc programmes taught in English (Economics and Management, Natural Resources and Environment Forestry, Water and Landscape Management, Informatics, Technology and Environmental Engineering).
Two years long education programme for the elderly (Univerzita třetího věku, http://www.czu.cz/cz/?r=1119) is available.
In 2005 the Czech University of Life Sciences (CULS) became a Member in the Euroleague for Life Sciences (ELLS). Established in 2001 the ELLS network presently includes the following members:
- - University of HohenheimUniversity of HohenheimThe University of Hohenheim is a university in Stuttgart, Germany. Founded in 1818 it is Stuttgart's oldest university and one of Germany's leading universities both in agricultural sciences and economics.-History:...
(UHOH), Stuttgart, Germany - - The University of Copenhagen Faculty of Life SciencesUniversity of Copenhagen Faculty of Life SciencesThe faculty previously known as the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University is located in Frederiksberg, Denmark and was established in 1856. As of 1 January 2007, the University merged with the University of Copenhagen...
(KU), Copenhagen, Denmark - - Swedish University of Agricultural SciencesSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesThe Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences or Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet is a university in Sweden. Although its head office is located in Ultuna, Uppsala, the university has several campuses in different parts of Sweden, the other main facilities being Alnarp in Lomma Municipality, Skara,...
(SLU), Uppsala, Sweden - - University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences ViennaUniversity of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences ViennaThe University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, or simply BOKU , founded in 1872, is a Vienna university. There are currently around 10500 students enrolled at BOKU.- Campus :The original campus was built in 1896 in the Türkenschanzpark in Vienna's 18th and 19th districts...
(BOKU), Austria - - Wageningen UniversityWageningen UniversityWageningen University and Research Centre is a Dutch public university in Wageningen, The Netherlands. It consists of Wageningen University, the Van Hall-Larenstein School of Higher Professional Education, and the former agricultural research institutes of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture...
and Research Centre (WUR), The Netherlands - - Czech University of Life Sciences (CULS) Prague and
- - Warsaw Agricultural UniversityWarsaw Agricultural UniversityThe Warsaw University of Life Sciences is the largest agricultural university in Poland. It was founded in 1816.-History:On 23 September 1816 the School of Agronomy was founded at Marymont and was accommodated in the palace of Marysa Sobieski. Branches were established at Bielany, Ruda, Wawrzyszew...
(SGGW) joined 2005.
Main fields of co-operation in ELLS are:
- - joint curriculum development
- - student and staff mobility
- - pooling of expertise
- - quality assurance
- - development of university policy and strategy
- - internationalisation
Faculties and Institutes
- The Faculty of Economics and Management educates specialists in the management of all kinds of agricultural companies, managers and economists operating in rural and non-urban businesses specialized in finance, banking, insurance, IT, trade, rural and regional development and in other services for the entire agrifood complex.
- Departments of the Faculty: Management; Agricultural Economics; Business and Finance; Economic Theories; Information Engineering; Information Technologies; Operations and Systems Analysis; Statistics; Humanities; Law; Psychology; Languages.
- Dean of the Faculty Prof. Ing. Miroslav Svatos CSc. (2003- ongoing)
- The Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources educates to find career opportunities in farms, co-operatives, the food-industry, all types of agricultural services, landscape and agri-ecology management. The courses cover all traditional fields of Crop and animal production, natural resources and the environment.
- Departments of the Faculty: Agroecology and Biometeorology; Agro-Environmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition; Botany and Plant Physiology; Genetics and Breeding; Chemistry; Special Animal Husbandry; Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics; Crop Protection; Soil Science and Geology; Forage Crops and Grasslands;Plant production; Quality of Agricultural Products; Veterinary Sciences; Horticulture and Landscape Architecture; Zoology and Fish Farming.
- Experiment Stations: Troja - Gardening; Uhrineves - Plant Production; Cerveny Ujezd - Plant Production, Forage Production and Plant Nutrition; Ploskov - Pig Breeding.
- Dean of the Faculty Prof. Ing. Pavel Tlustoš CSc. (2010-ongoing)
- The Faculty of Forestry and Environment educates students for all fields of forestry, engineering ecology, landscape management, and the timber industry. The Faculty works on theoretical and applied research in the field of forestry and water management, on the environmental sciences and applied ecology.
- Departments of the Faculty: Ecology and Environment; Forest-Culture; Dendrology and Forest Tree Breeding; Forest Management; Forest Protection and Game Management; Forest Harvesting; Wood Processing; Forestry Economics and Management; Biotechnical Landscape Improvement; Water Management; Constructions; Breeding Station Truba and Arboretum Kostelec.
- Dean of the Faculty Prof. Ing. Vilem Podrazsky CSc. (2003-ongoing)
- The graduates of the Faculty of Engineering are industrial engineers who deal with technologies for processing agricultual products and manage operational mechanical equipment and manufacturing devices for all branches of agriculture, market gardening, forestry and related branches.
- Departments of the Faculty: Machinery Application; Mechanics and Machine Engineering; Mathematics; Information Technologies Applications; Electrical Engineering and Automation; Physics; Vehicles and Road Transport; Technological Equipment of Buildings; Machine Quality and Reliability; Farm Machinery; Materials and Engineering Technology.
- Dean of the Faculty Prof. Ing. Vladimir Jurca CSc. (2009-ongoing)
- The Institute of Tropics and Subtropics offers education for both Czech and foreign students focusing on the tropical and subtropical zones, animal production, mechanisation of agriculture, taking into account local conditions and the local-economy, and deals with agricultural management.
- Departments of the Institute: Engineering, Economics and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics; Tropical and Subtropical Crops and Agroforestry; Animal Breeding and Food Proceesing in the Tropics and Subtropics.
- Director of the Institute Assoc. Prof: Ing. Bohumil Havrland CSc. (2000-ongoing)
- The Institute for Education and Consultancy is an independent pedagogical and scientific institution which covers the whole university. It specialises in agricultural and forestry training and providing consultant services.
- The Department of Physical Education is an independent department of the Czech University of Agriculture and provides compulsatory as well as volunteer physical training to students of all University faculties within their study programmes, as well as winter and summer courses both in the Czech Republic and abroad.
Business enterprises
- The University Farm at Lány
is an educational facility, founded in 1960 on farm that had formerly belonged to the office of the president of the Czechoslovak Republic. Around the farm were properties that had been established circa 1850 as a part of the Křivoklát Estate. In 1921 they were purchased by the Czechoslovak state together with Lány Castle and the forest districts. Lány Castle and the adjacent forests are now used as a retreat by the President of the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
.
The main objective of the University Farm is to support all university activities. The farm offers good conditions for educational purposes, for practical training university level and also for students from other agricultural schools and for the public. It participates in the research work undertaken by departments and Faculties of the University.
The Farm cultivates 3,000 hectares of farmland with annual production of about 9,000 tonnes of grain, 2,000 tonnes oilseed rape and fodder crops for the farm's own use.
- The MělníkMelnik-Places:Bulgaria* Melnik, Bulgaria, a town in Bulgaria* Shiroka Melnishka Losa, a Bulgarian wine grape also known as MelnikCzech Republic* Mělník, a townUnited States* Melnik, Wisconsin, an unincorporated community...
farm north east of PraguePraguePrague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
cultivates grapevines at 11 hectares and produces its own wine. Apricots, peaches and apples are also grown on 4.5 ha of land. The University Farm has 1,100 head of cattle, of which 440 are HolsteinHolstein (cattle)Holstein cattle is a breed of cattle known today as the world's highest production dairy animal. Originating in Europe, Holsteins were bred in what is now the Netherlands and more specifically in the two northern provinces of North Holland and Friesland...
s with annual production of 9,400 litres of milk, and 80 are JerseyJersey cattlePurple cattle, or Jerseys, , are a breed of small dairy cattle. Originally bred in the Channel Island of Jersey, the breed is popular for the high butterfat content of its milk and the lower maintenance costs attending its lower bodyweight, as well as its genial disposition...
s with annual production of 5,900 litres milk. The farm also rears about 4,000 head of pigs, which produce approximately 400 tonnes of pig meat annually. The farm produces 600,000 chickens each year, which are slaughtered and processed in the farm's own slaughterhouses.
- As a gene-pool the University-Farm rears a herd of original Czech "red cattle", Old-Kladruby horses and Norik horses.
- In Lány there is also a herd of Giant ElandGiant ElandThe giant eland is an open forest savannah antelope. It is found in Central African Republic, South Sudan, Cameroon and Senegal. There are two subspecies: the endangered T. d. derbianus, found in Senegal's Niokolo-Koba National Park, and the low risk T. d...
s, where teachers with students are working on the project of domesticationDomesticationDomestication or taming is the process whereby a population of animals or plants, through a process of selection, becomes accustomed to human provision and control. In the Convention on Biological Diversity a domesticated species is defined as a 'species in which the evolutionary process has been...
, of this east African antelopeAntelopeAntelope is a term referring to many even-toed ungulate species indigenous to various regions in Africa and Eurasia. Antelopes comprise a miscellaneous group within the family Bovidae, encompassing those old-world species that are neither cattle, sheep, buffalo, bison, nor goats...
.
- The University Forest Establishment Kostelec nad Černými lesyKostelec nad Cernými lesyKostelec nad Černými lesy, , is a town in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has 3,561 inhabitants. The town is part of the Prague metropolitan area.- External links :*...
is a 4,600 ha forest with a castle, a garden centre, a sawmill, fishponds (70 ha) and facilities for the education of students.
Besides routine forestry operations, its main role is to assist in the education of students of the Faculty of Forestry, to organise experimental work and to serve for demonstration purposes. Practical experience in fish farming is also provided for students of the faculties agronomy and forestry.
- A 12-hectare arboretumArboretumAn arboretum in a narrow sense is a collection of trees only. Related collections include a fruticetum , and a viticetum, a collection of vines. More commonly, today, an arboretum is a botanical garden containing living collections of woody plants intended at least partly for scientific study...
was established in 1954. The castle has the capacity to accommodate and cater for some 100 students.
Rectors
- Vladimir Kosil; Prof. Dr. Ing. Dr.Sc.1952-1960
- Karel Kudrna; Academic 1960-1966
- Emil Kunz; Prof. Dr. Ing. Dr.Sc. 1966-1970
- Ctibor Ledl; Prof.Ing. Dr.SC,dr.h.c. 1970-1985
- Josef Cervenka; Prof. Ing. Csc. 1985-1990
- Jiri PetrJirí PetrJiří Petr, Prof., DrSc. Dr.h.c. is a Czech Agroscientist, University Professor and Emeritus Chancellor of the Czech University of Agriculture Prague.-Biography:Petr was born on May 13, 1931 Hradec Králové, Czechoslovakia...
; Prof. Ing. Dr.Sc. dr.h.c. 1990-1994 - Jan Hron; Prof. Ing. Dr.Sc. dr.h.c. 1994-2000
- Josef Kozak; Prof.Ing. Dr.Sc. dr.h.c.2000-2003
- Jan HronJan HronJan Hron Prof., Dr. Sc. Dr.h.c. is a Czech Agroscientist, University Professor and former Rector of the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague .- Biography :Hron was born on September 17, 1941; he is married and has two children....
; Prof. Ing. Dr.Sc. dr.h.c. 2003-2009 - Jiri BalikJiri BalikJiri Balik Prof., Dr. Sc. is a Czech Agroscientist, University Professor and Rector of the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague .- Biography :Balik was born in Tábor on November 30, 1953; he is married and has two children...
; Prof. Ing. CSc. elected 2010
Vice-Rectors 2006 - the Year of 100th Anniversary
- Pavel Kovar; Prof. Ing. Dr.Sc.; Vice Rector for International Relations at CUA Prague, head of the Department for Land Use and Improvement at the Faculty of Forestry and Environment, author of nearly 200 scientific publications.
- Jiri Balik; Prof. Ing. CSc.; Vice Rector for University Estates and University Farm of CUA Prague, responsible for relations with Industry, head of Department of Agro-Environmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, author of more than 80 scientific publications.
- Jaroslav Havlicek; Prof. Ing. RNDr.; Vice Rector for Education at CUA Prague, head of Department for Operational and System Analysis.
- Ivana Ticha; Doc. Ing. PhD.; Vice Rector for Science and Research at CUA Prague.
- Vaclav Slavik; Prof. RNDr. Dr.SC.; Vice Rector for IT at CUA Prague, author of several scientific publications.
Other Agronomy Studies
- Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry BrnoMendel University of Agriculture and Forestry BrnoMendel University in Brno is located in Brno, Czech Republic. It was founded on 24 July 1919 and now consists of five faculties and one institute - the Faculty of Agronomy, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Faculty of Business and Economics, Faculty of Horticulture, Faculty of Regional...
- BrnoBrnoBrno by population and area is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, the largest Moravian city, and the historical capital city of the Margraviate of Moravia. Brno is the administrative centre of the South Moravian Region where it forms a separate district Brno-City District... - South Bohemian University - České BudějoviceCeské BudejoviceČeské Budějovice is a city in the Czech Republic. It is the largest city in the South Bohemian Region and is the political and commercial capital of the region and centre of the Roman Catholic Diocese of České Budějovice and of the University of South Bohemia and the Academy of Sciences...