Rector of Prague University of Economics and Business Received Highest French Honour for Merits in Education

The Rector of the Prague University of Economics and Business, Prof. Hana Machková, received the Order of Academic Palms of the highest degree, Commandeur dans l´Ordre des Palmes Académiques, from the Ambassador of the French Republic Alexis Dutertre. The state honour for merits in education and dissemination of French culture is awarded by the French Prime Minister on the basis of a proposal from the Minister of Education. Hana Machková has long been actively supporting French-Czech cooperation and participating in the development of university relations between the two countries.

The Rector of the Prague University of Economics and Business (VŠE) founded and still manages the French-Czech Institute of Management at VŠE, which is the only institution in the Czech Republic focusing on the education of francophone managers. The MBA_Master Management et Administration des Entreprises course enables graduates of non-managerial fields of study to obtain further qualifications and its graduates are employed in management positions in French companies or Czech companies that are interested in developing business cooperation with France. Hana Machková has also been a visiting professor at prestigious French universities for over thirty years, eg at iaelyon, School of Management.

“France is probably the only country in the world that awards special state honours to teachers and expresses its respect for the teaching profession. I am glad that I received the honour and will be one of the few holders of the highest degree of the Order of Academic Palms in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Given that my second term as rector of the Prague University of Economics and Business will end in March 2022, it is also an expression of appreciation of the contribution of the entire University to the development of French-Czech university relations,” said Hana Machková.

VŠE plays a truly extraordinary role in the field of French-Czech relations, both in the frequency of student and academic exchanges, as well as in the development of joint degree, double degree, scientific research cooperation and mutual participation in international bodies. Awards obtained in the past also prove it. In addition to the current rector, Prof. Stanislava Hronová and Prof. Jana Fibírová received the Order of Academic Palms of the first degree. In addition, Hana Machková is a holder of the Legion of Honour.
The Order of Academic Palms (Ordre des Palmes Académiques) was founded in 1808 by Napoleon Bonaparte and is thus one of the oldest state decorations for civilians. It is awarded mainly to teachers, but also to personalities who, although not pedagogical, but significantly contribute to the development of the educational society. The holders can be French or foreigners who have actively contributed to the spread of French culture abroad. The order has three degrees: Knight (Chevalier), Officer (Officier), Commander (Commandeur).