On May 6, 2021 Rector of UPJŠ in Košice, prof. RNDr. Pavol Sovák, CSc., signed a new version of the Magna Charta Universitatum 2020 (MCU). The foundations for promoting respect for university values, conditions of autonomy and academic independence, promoting mobility, knowledge, scientific research and education in international cooperation were laid in 1988 in Bologna, when 388 rectors, mainly European universities, signed a document committing to the joint fulfillment of these commitments. Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice joined the MCU on September 18, 2009 in Bologna.
At the time of its creation, the MCU has recognized the links between universities (especially in the European context), but in the last decade it has significaly expanded to include more and more universities, not only from Europe. This also contributed to the creation of a new version of the document recognizing the problems of the globalized world. The new version of the MCU also reflects the perspectives of management and the academic community as a whole and includes concepts such as diversity, inclusion, social responsibility and university citizenship.
“A rapidly changing world and global challenges are best overcome together with strong partners. The vision of a coordinated approach is the implementation of solutions at the regional level, which are conditioned by adherence to academic principles valid throughout the world. The independence of scientific research and the support of creative thinking of students and researchers is one of the priorities that have significant support at UPJŠ in Košice, ” said the Rector of UPJŠ, prof. Sovák.
Due to anti-epidemic measures, the official program of the ceremonial launch of the new MCU 2020 will take place on 16 and 17 June in a virtual form.
