Research and education in Czechoslovakia: A few remarks

Abstract

Science in Czechoslovakia suffered severely under successive periods of Nazi and communist domination. The system inherited by the current government was rigid and centralized. Scientists suffered throughout this period from poorly equipped laboratories, obsolete instruments, depressingly inadequate libraries, and negligible computer equipment. The university system has suffered so much — due to the lack of attention, incentive, resources, and prestige — that the training of young scientists has been greatly jeopardized. Nevertheless, although many of Czechoslovakia's research institutes are oversized, they also contain some excellent scientists — a tribute to the country's earlier heritage of excellent scientific and technical education. In the process of reforming the system, especially during this period of economic uncertainty, it is critical to support and preserve these pockets of excellence in order to make the most of any hopes of attaining “Western” standards of living. Tight, multiple, wide contacts should be established between university and academy institutes. In this rebuilding effort, the universities have an extraordinarily important role. Czechoslovakia's recent efforts have shown some progress in this area. Yet much remains to be accomplished. Reforms must be carried out rapidly, given the time-lag before improvements will begin to bear fruit.