FaME Continues Preparations for the HR Excellence in Research Award Action Plan
20. May 2026The Faculty of Management and Economics at Tomáš Baťa University in Zlín continues to prepare key documents for the HR Excellence in Research Award. At its May meeting, the HR Award Working Group discussed the set of measures in the Action Plan, the draft text of the OTM-R policy, and the method for implementing the proposed changes in the future.
The meeting of the HR Excellence in Research Award Working Group on May 18, 2026, followed up on the previous phases of preparing the GAP analysis and the Action Plan. The working group members focused primarily on the final form of the measures, which should contribute to the further development of the working, research, and academic environment at the faculty over the next two years.
A significant step forward is the fact that the Steering Committee approved the proposed measures of the Action Plan via per rollam without any comments. The working group subsequently discussed the specifics of these measures, particularly the timeline, responsible parties, and indicators to monitor progress during implementation. Emphasis was placed on ensuring that each measure has a clear sponsor, specific outputs, and measurable goals.
The set of measures covers 14 areas. Key topics include, for example, the creation of a faculty OTM-R policy and onboarding framework, the development of mentoring and knowledge sharing, support for open science and research data management, support for visiting researchers, research ethics, bilingual communication, involving doctoral students in research projects, more transparent management of academic staff workloads, and strengthening mentoring for doctoral students and early-career researchers.
The working group also focused on drafting the OTM-R policy text at FaME. This will be an important tool for establishing more transparent and comprehensible processes for the recruitment, selection, and onboarding of academic and research staff. The planned steps will include, among other things, new job posting templates, a selection committee guide, an onboarding checklist, and materials for new employees.
Another topic discussed was the implementation of the Action Plan. The discussion focused on establishing a monitoring system, conducting regular checks on the implementation of measures, and tracking ongoing progress at the faculty leadership level. At the same time, it was emphasised that some areas extend beyond the faculty’s direct jurisdiction and require cooperation with the university level. However, the faculty will strive to actively communicate these needs and seek realistic solutions.
The preparation of the Action Plan represents an important step in the process of obtaining the HR Excellence in Research Award. The faculty’s goal is not merely to meet the formal requirements of the European Commission, but above all to use the entire process as an opportunity to systematically develop an environment that supports high-quality research, fair working conditions, transparent processes, and the professional growth of both academic and research staff.