On March 3, 2026, the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice welcomed Her Excellency María Pérez Sánchez-Laulhè, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to the Czech Republic, together with Education Attaché Blanca Admetlla Ribalta.
The official program was opened by Vice-Rector for International Relations, Prof. Vladimír Žlábek, who presented the university as a modern, dynamically developing institution with a distinctive international profile and a strategic location in Central Europe. The main topic of the meeting was the possibilities for further deepening cooperation between the University of South Bohemia and Spanish higher education and research institutions.
Cooperation with the University of South Bohemia Faculties
During the bilateral meeting, three faculties presented themselves – the Faculty of Science of the University of South Bohemia, the Faculty of Agriculture and Technology of the University of South Bohemia, and the Faculty of Arts of the University of South Bohemia, which also hosted the visit. The Spanish embassy delegation appreciated the systematic effort to build a long-term and broadly conceived partnership in education and science.
Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science presented its ongoing projects implemented in cooperation with Spanish institutions, particularly in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and structural crystallography. Long-term partners include, for example, the University of Granada and researchers from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). The faculty is also developing partnerships within the Erasmus+ program with five Spanish universities and is seeking to expand joint scientific projects further.
Faculty of Agriculture and Technology
The Faculty of Agriculture and Technology familiarized the delegation with its modern research facilities focused on agroecology, food technology, biotechnology, and sustainable agriculture. Although the faculty has not yet officially established cooperation with Spanish universities, the ambassador expressed her readiness to help connect with appropriate Spanish institutions and to support the creation of new academic partnerships.
Faculty of Arts – Key Partner in the Spanish-Speaking Space
The presentation concluded with the Faculty of Arts, which has long been developing cooperation with Spain and Latin American countries, particularly Peru and Argentina. Universities in these countries are the most frequent destinations for faculty and student mobility. The faculty currently offers three bachelor's and three consecutive master's study programs in Spanish. There is extraordinary interest in studying Spanish – currently, 124 students are enrolled, a significant increase from 2020.
Double Degree with the University of Salamanca – Unique in the Czech Republic
Her Excellency listened with interest to information about the Double Degree program implemented in cooperation with the University of Salamanca. This program is the only Hispanic Double Degree in the Czech Republic in the field of Spanish philology. It allows students to complete two semesters in Spain and obtain top-quality linguistically oriented preparation with a focus on linguistics, Hispanic studies, and methodology of teaching Spanish as a foreign language.
Further Cooperation Opportunities and Embassy Support
The ambassador thanked the university for the cooperation so far and opened a discussion on further development opportunities, which include, in particular:
· greater visibility of joint scientific projects
· connection with experts who could enrich the teaching of the study program, Spanish Language for European and International Commerce
· organization of joint seminars and workshops
· strengthened support for students in their studies and entry into the job market
The embassy expressed its interest in further developing these topics and offered to facilitate contact with Spanish experts and to share its experience in international relations and education policy.
Conference on the 500th Anniversary of the Habsburgs' Accession to the Czech Throne
The ambassador also appreciated the Faculty of Arts' planned conference dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the Habsburgs' accession to the Czech throne. There was a promise of support for its international visibility, particularly regarding the involvement of foreign guests and promotion within the Spanish-speaking academic community.
The meeting confirmed Spain's strong position among the University of South Bohemia's key foreign partners and opened the way for further development of cooperation, particularly in research, student mobility, and the expansion of the network of partner universities. The visit represents a significant step toward further deepening Czech-Spanish academic relations and initiating new joint projects across the university's faculties. At the conclusion of her visit, the Spanish ambassador and education attaché met with students of Spanish philology at the Faculty of Arts. During the meeting, the 31st edition of the Premio Iberoamericano competition was presented, for the best essay on any topic that should emphasize the links between the Czech Republic and Ibero-American countries in any field (political, economic, scientific, cultural, artistic, social, sports, multilateral cooperation, or other). Students were informed of the participation conditions and motivated to submit their essays by this year's competition deadline. At the same time, the possibility of educational seminars organized by the Spanish embassy for students in Hispanic programs was promised.
