CEEPUS (Central European Exchange Programme for University Studies) is a Central European university exchange program focused on regional cooperation among higher education institutions. The cornerstone of the program is its “networks”—thematically focused partnerships between universities that enable their students and faculty to participate in study or work placements.
Each year, the CEEPUS program awards the Ministers’ Prize to a network of outstanding quality. The prize serves as a mark of excellence awarded by the CEEPUS Joint Committee of Ministers. This year, the network Language and Literature in the Central European Context was nominated for the Ministers’ Prize for outstanding achievements. This was recently announced by Małgorzata Dowlaszewicz from the Department of Dutch Studies at the University of Wrocław, who is the main coordinator of this network. The network brings together 24 partners from 10 CEEPUS member states and focuses on Dutch and Slavic studies in Central Europe with the aim of strengthening the European perspectives of lesser-used languages.
At the Palacký University, the network is represented by the Departments of Dutch Studies and the Departments of Czech Studies, making the university a key partner. The network offers a wide range of mobility opportunities for both teachers and students. In addition, it provides funding for field trips lasting at least three days that emphasize cultural exchange and bring together students from the Central European region.
The Department of Dutch Studies at the Palacký University is also one of the seven members of the Dutch Language and Literature in a Central European Context (DCC) project. This joint study program forms the core of the Language and Literature in a Central European Context network. In addition to developing e-learning courses, the DCC organizes a doctoral and translation school every two years for Dutch language students from the Central European region.
Experience shows that mobility and collaboration in the Central European region lead to new initiatives in research and education within the region and can serve as a source of inspiration for students’ future research. Winning the ministerial award is a testament to the dedicated work of all the partners involved and thus a strong incentive to continue investing in the network.
Bas Hamers
Local network coordinator