Staff and Operations

Effective Management                             

The effective management and organisational operation of the University should be geared towards fulfilling the principles of sustainable development, utilising both existing and newly established structures for effective communication, collaboration, and education on sustainability at VSB-TUO. University Management representatives actively engage and meet with trade union representatives. The involvement of governing and advisory bodies as well as students is crucial for the successful implementation of the sustainability strategy. Key elements include ensuring policies that protect academic freedom, hosting lectures and discussions on current topics, and providing a neutral platform within the University environment. VSB-TUO regularly publishes financial data through its Annual Financial Report. The University also makes available strategic documents such as the Annual Report on Activities, the Strategic Plan of VSB-TUO 2021–2027, its annual Implementation Plan, and the Report on Internal Quality Assessment of Educational, Creative, and Related Activities. VSB-TUO ensures information accessibility via its website, and actively opposes all forms of discrimination, and unequivocally condemns any inappropriate behaviour.

Intermediate goals

• Ensure student involvement in advisory committees and bodies, allowing them to contribute to decision-making and discussions within these committees, as well as providing them with the opportunity to issue statements on the evaluation of study programme quality.
• Enable representatives from the academic senate, students, and unions to participate in the preparation of internal regulations, strategic, and legislative documents. Representatives are nominated to the legislative and economic committees and other advisory committees.
• Allow the academic community to provide feedback on strategic documents.
• Update strategic documents, internal regulations, and key directives or legislative documents as needed.
• Provide the opportunity to anonymously report any unlawful actions at VSB-TUO that may constitute a criminal offense, misdemeanour, or violation of legal regulations or EU rules.
• Provide the opportunity to submit a suggestion in accordance with the TUO_SME_06_001 Directive Handling of Complaints, Suggestions, Notifications, and Petitions, or to submit a suggestion to the VSB-TUO Ethics Committee in line with the Rules of Procedure of the Ethics Committee, or to contact the Ombudsperson.

Implementation measures

• Establishing a Student Panel within the Internal Evaluation Council of VSB-TUO and create a directive governing this panel.
• Maintaining the established Internal Reporting System for reporting unlawful activities, defining the procedure for submitting reports by the whistleblower in accordance with Directive TUO_SME_22_001 related to this reporting system.
• Adhering to the developed Methodology for preventing conflicts of interest and corruption
  in projects funded by the National Recovery Plan.
• Actively present strategic documents to members of the academic community for feedback, suggestions, and comments, which are then considered by the responsible document guarantor.
• Continuously updating the VSB-TUO Code of Ethics (e.g., sections on conflict of interest, rules for giving and receiving personal gifts and hospitality).

Tools (indicators)

• Published documents (strategic, legislative, supporting, and others), directives, and procedures.
• Number of documents submitted to the academic community for feedback per year.
• Number of reported cases resolved through the Internal Reporting System for unlawful activities in accordance with Directive TUO_SME_22_001.
• Number of resolved cases handled by the VSB-TUO Ethics Committee and the Ombudsperson.
• Updated Code of Ethics.

Responsibility

• University Management
• Chancellor

Alignment with SDGs (1–17)

Reduced Inequalities

The University's strategy is based on the principle that education is the key to social progress and that access to education should be available to all, regardless of their economic or social situation. Therefore, the University offers a range of scholarships (social, motivational, merit-based, extraordinary, housing, and others) to help students overcome financial barriers associated with their studies. It also provides individualised support for students with specific needs.

The University consistently strives to ensure sustainable, inclusive growth by offering flexible working conditions for its staff. It actively contributes to reducing inequalities and strengthening inclusion for all, regardless of age, gender, health status, race, ethnic origin, religious belief, or economic or other status.

Intermediate goals

• Develop a range of counselling and other support services for students and applicants, particularly through the Career Centre, Counselling Centre, Support Centre, and the "Slunečnice" Centre.
• Individualised support for students with specific educational or health needs, or those in difficult social situations.
• Revision of the content of study materials, working procedures, and controlled documents to eliminate gender stereotypes.
• Flexible working conditions that allow employees to better balance work and personal life.
• Employees and students are informed and educated in areas such as gender equality, diversity, and inclusive communication, as well as the creation of a safe and supportive environment for all members of the University community.
• Strengthen the representation of members in non-elected bodies.
• Sustainably increase the satisfaction of both employees and students.
• Increase the representation of women in senior positions.
• Raise awareness and provide education on gender equality.
• Support work-life balance initiatives.

Implementation measures

• Promotion of the availability of supportive scholarships.
• Development of counselling and other support activities for students and applicants, particularly through the Career Centre, Counselling Centre, Support Centre, or the "Slunečnice" Centre.
• Expanding opportunities for flexible working conditions (e.g., return-to-work programmes after career breaks).
• Training and information campaigns for employees and students on equality, diversity, and inclusive communication, supporting groups and activities focused on diversity and inclusion, as well as reviewing University policies and procedures to ensure alignment with equality and inclusion principles.
• Regular implementation of satisfaction surveys for employees and students, along with their evaluation and presentation of the results.

Tools (indicators)

• Number of clients of the Career Centre, Counselling Centre, and Support Centre who used any of the offered services.
• Annual number of supportive scholarships.
• Increasing volume of employee meal subsidies.
• Number of supportive measures ensuring flexible working conditions.
• Improving employee and student satisfaction.

Responsibility

• Vice-Rector for Study Affairs
• Vice-Rector for Quality and Investment Construction
• Bursar
• Chancellor

Alignment with SDGs (1–17)

Decent Work and Economic Growth

The University aims to be not only a place of high-quality education and recognised research but also strives to develop excellence in human resource management as part of its effective operations. A key focus of this effort is to establish a favourable working environment and culture. Central to these activities are the development of personnel processes that emphasise equal opportunities and transparent renumeration, as well as support for employees through various benefits. Ensuring decent working conditions and compliance with all safety and hygiene standards.

The University’s role goes beyond providing high-quality education; it also offers comprehensive career counselling for students. This counselling is a key component of the University’s commitment to ensuring decent work for all, as it helps students prepare for the job market, identify, and develop their strengths. The University’s Career Centre offers a wide range of services, including individual consultations, skills development workshops, job interview preparation, CV writing, and access to a network of employers.

Intermediate goals

• A transparent renumeration system.
• Decent working conditions, and compliance with all safety and hygiene standards.
• Support for employees through the benefit programme provided by the employer.
• High-quality career counselling providing equal opportunities for all students.

Implementation measures

• Regular revision of the renumeration system.
• Training for senior employees in human resource management and other managerial skills.
• Ensuring quality working conditions by complying with all legislative measures (occupational health and safety, fire protection).
• Development of the employee benefits system.
• Development of Career Centre activities.

Tools (indicators)

• Proportion of trained senior employees.
• Proportion of employees using employee benefits.
• Number of Career Centre clients who used at least one offered service.
• Employability of graduates and the median gross salary of graduates.

Responsibility

• Bursar
• Vice-Rector for Strategy and Cooperation

Alignment with SDGs (1–17)

University Operations

The University has become a leading pioneer in sustainability both in the Czech Republic and abroad. Its priority is to ensure energy and resource self-sufficiency through the support of renewable energy sources, in line with the European Union's goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, as outlined in the EU Green Deal. The University campus serves as an example of modern technologies used to reduce energy consumption, fully aligned with the principles of the circular economy. Photovoltaic power plants, solar, and geothermal systems have been installed across the campus, which annually achieves reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Approximately 85% of University buildings meet the latest energy standards, with active plans underway for the renovation of remaining buildings. The active water resource management, support for biodiversity, and efforts to minimise biological and municipal waste further demonstrate the University’s commitment to sustainable development. To support sustainable mobility, the campus is equipped with bike-sharing stations, bike racks, and a low-emission vehicle fleet, including comprehensive infrastructure for charging the University’s electric vehicles.

Intermediate goals

• Improve the efficiency of energy use by reducing energy losses and optimising processes, including promoting a responsible approach to energy consumption among University employees.
• Efficient and sustainable water management practices aimed at reducing consumption and promoting water reuse, in line with circular economy principles.
• Increase the proportion of new low-carbon technologies, including research, development of new technologies and innovations that enhance energy sustainability in collaboration with partners from industry, public, and public sectors.
• Expand eco-friendly transportation options in line with modern global trends.
• Maintain the current ratio of static transportation to green and pedestrian zones on the campus.

Implementation measures

• Strengthening the use of passive insulation elements in buildings and promoting sustainable energy sources, including energy storage, and expansion of geothermal energy, energy from alternative fuels, and waste heat conversion.
• Installation of underground reservoirs for collecting rainwater and greywater, and its subsequent use for irrigation and toilet flushing.
• Active investment in the digitalisation and optimisation of all University processes to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Establishment of processes and providing administrative and financial support for the preparation and implementation of research projects.

Tools (indicators)

• Increase of the University's energy self-sufficiency by 2030 (compared to 2023).
• Ratio of space allocated to static transportation versus green areas and pedestrian zones.
• Reduce water consumption by 20% by 2030 (compared to 2023).
• Reduce the amount of waste.

Responsibility

• Bursar

Alignment with SDGs (1–17)