UQ signs agreement with University of Economics, Prague
The University of Queensland has established an agreement of cooperation between the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law and the University of Economics, Prague.
Associate Professor Tom Riha, director of studies in the University of Queensland's Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, said the agreement would encourage and support student exchange and joint research activities between the institutions.
Dr Riha, who initiated discussions for the agreement, described it as "quite a coup" for the University of Queensland.
He said the University of Economics had educated all Czech post-communist prime ministers and governors of the central bank and in recent times four economics Nobel Prize laureates had lectured there.
"This is the first agreement of cooperation between the University of Queensland and what used to be Eastern Europe," he said.
"I think it's very important because it's providing a stepping stone for this University to penetrate a potential market. When you look at student flows from Europe to Australia, the Czech Republic features prominently, so there may be some suitable spin-offs from this agreement."
Dr Riha said University of Queensland students would be able to undertake postgraduate study in English-language, non-award courses at the University of Economics.
The agreement was signed on October 8 by University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay, Faculty of Business, Economics and Law executive dean Professor John Longworth, University of Economics Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Seger and University of Economics Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International Relations) Professor Jaroslava Durcakova.
Dr Riha, himself a University of Economics graduate, has been awarded an honorary professorship at his alma mater in recognition of his outstanding efforts to promote and strengthen the institution's academic traditions and excellence.
For more information, contact Dr Riha (telephone 3365 7111, facsimile 3365 4788 or email riha@commerce.uq.edu
