Bakala Foundation signed a memorandum with Charles University in the field of nostrification

Charles University has signed a Memoranda of Cooperation with The Bakala Foundation and The Kellner Family Foundation, regarding long-term cooperation in the recognition of foreign qualifications, known as nostrification. The cooperation between Charles University and The Bakala Foundation and The Kellner Family Foundation will enable Czech students to continue their education and successfully compete in the labor market.

“We are truly delighted to be able to witness such a pivotal moment and contribute our years of experience with education at foreign universities to simplify the nostrification process. Talented students who commit to the rigors of study abroad take on considerable responsibilities and obligations. It is our mission to support them in reaching their career dreams by providing financial support or advice to them and their families and to motivate them to return to their homeland by, among other things, making their journey home easier. The academic world still has a great deal of work to do in this regard. We are delighted to have embarked on it with such experienced partners as Charles University and The Kellner Family Foundation. We also believe that the Memorandum of Understanding will open up the debate on nostrification, which is a topic that deserves to be discussed in society,” said Michaela Bakala, Chair of the Bakala Foundation Board of Trustees.

Charles University has undertaken to process the applications of students sponsored by the two foundations for recognition of their foreign university degrees (nostrification) within a shortened period of time. This is the process of recognizing a foreign university degree (or part thereof) as equivalent to a degree awarded in the Czech Republic. In the Czech Republic, decisions on nostrification pursuant to Sections 89 and 90 of the Higher Education Act are made exclusively by public higher education institutions that provide a similar study program in terms of content.

“Any investment in the education of young Czechs is an investment in shaping a better future for our society. I believe it is beneficial to enable young people who have benefited from their study experience abroad, thanks to both foundations, to capitalize on their education when they return to the Czech Republic. Opening up new horizons and sharing knowledge on an international level helps to push the boundaries of knowledge and thus supports the development of the entire society. I think it is very important that Charles University helps successful students with the recognition of their foreign university degrees and supports them in pursuing their careers back home,” said Professor Milena Králíčková, Rector of Charles University.

The Memorandum of Cooperation between Charles University and the two foundations also seeks to contribute towards expanding the knowledge and experience of young scientists across scientific disciplines, while providing access to opportunities for academic cooperation with foreign institutions.

“We believe that supporting the education of talented Czech students at prestigious foreign universities brings the opportunity of making our country world-class in a given discipline. We therefore wish that scholarship holders return to the Czech Republic after completing their studies, bring with them that which they have learned in the world. I believe that the cooperation between Charles University and the family foundations, which have been supporting students for a long time, will significantly simplify the process of recognizing foreign university degrees, known as nostrification, and thereby facilitate the return of young talent to the Czech Republic,” said Renáta Kellnerová, founder of The Kellner Family Foundation.

Both The Bakala Foundation and The Kellner Family Foundation support talented students studying in the Czech Republic and abroad with scholarships, grants and other projects in an effort to make a long-term contribution to the development of education at all levels of society. The Kellner Family Foundation has been providing grants for university studies since 2009, since which time it has financially supported 273 Czech students. In the current academic year, the Foundation is supporting 63 university students. The Bakala Foundation has supported 216 students in the 15 years of its Scholarship Program, enabling them to study at 63 of the world’s top universities.