Senate Chairman Handover

Today I participated in the meeting of the Academic Senate of the University of Žilina – a place that has been the natural space of my work, discussions, decisions and responsibility for recent years.

At today's meeting, I presented my future direction. During the upcoming period, I am handing over the position of Chairman of the Academic Senate so that I can fully dedicate myself to my candidacy for UNIZA rector.

A Difficult but Necessary Decision

This decision was not easy for me. The Academic Senate has been an integral part of my professional life for years. It is a place where important decisions about the future of our university are made, where different perspectives meet, and where the voice of the academic community is heard.

However, I consider this a fair and responsible decision towards the people I work with, as well as towards the entire academic community. Running for rector requires full commitment and dedication, and I want to ensure that both my current responsibilities and my candidacy receive the attention they deserve.

Years of Senate Work

During my time as Chairman of the Academic Senate, I have had the privilege to:

• Lead discussions on crucial university policies and strategic directions
• Facilitate dialogue between different faculties and departments
• Represent the academic community in important university decisions
• Work on improving academic standards and procedures
• Foster transparency and accountability in university governance

These experiences have given me deep insight into the challenges and opportunities facing UNIZA. They have also taught me the importance of inclusive decision-making and the value of diverse perspectives.

Lessons Learned

My work in the Academic Senate has taught me several important lessons that will guide my approach as rector:

The Power of Dialogue: The best decisions emerge from open, honest discussions where all voices are heard and respected. As rector, I will maintain this commitment to inclusive dialogue.

The Importance of Transparency: The academic community deserves to understand how and why decisions are made. Transparency builds trust and enables better participation in university governance.

The Need for Balance: University leadership requires balancing competing interests and priorities. The Senate has taught me how to find common ground while maintaining focus on our shared goals.

Continuity and Change

While I am stepping down from the Senate chairmanship, I believe we will continue in conversations and cooperation with the same goal: to advance UNIZA so that we can be proud of it.

The relationships I have built, the trust I have earned, and the shared vision we have developed will continue to be valuable assets as I pursue the rectorship. The Senate will remain an important partner in university governance, and I look forward to working with it in a new capacity.

A Commitment to Ethical Leadership

This transition also represents my commitment to ethical leadership. By stepping down from the Senate chairmanship, I am ensuring that there are no conflicts of interest and that the electoral process can proceed with complete integrity.

I believe that leadership requires making difficult decisions, even when they involve personal sacrifice. This decision demonstrates my commitment to putting the interests of the university above my own convenience.

Looking to the Future

As I transition from Senate Chairman to rector candidate, I carry with me the lessons learned, the relationships built, and the vision developed during my time in university governance.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have served the academic community in this capacity, and I am excited about the possibility of serving in a new role. Together, we will continue to work towards a university that we can all be proud of.

The work continues, the vision remains, and the commitment to excellence endures. This is not an ending, but a new beginning in our shared journey towards a better UNIZA.