The Competence Centre for Resilience (KCO) at CTU UCEEB is expanding its educational offerings with a new micro-credential
programme, Institutional Resilience Specialist for Research Organisations. The programme responds to the growing need to systematically
strengthen security, risk management and the protection of the strategic interests of universities and research institutions.
The first run of the programme is planned for 2027.
Security and resilience of research organisations as a current challenge
Research organisations and universities operate in an environment that has changed significantly in recent years. In addition
to their traditional academic and research activities, they increasingly need to respond to new security, technological, personnel-related
and geopolitical threats. The growing importance of international cooperation, the digitalisation of research, the handling
of sensitive data and the development of strategic technologies bring not only new opportunities but also increased demands
on security and responsible institutional management.
Protecting research results, intellectual property, sensitive information and key know-how is therefore becoming an integral
part of the strategic management of research organisations. Equally important are the early identification of potential risks,
the secure establishment of international partnerships, compliance with regulatory requirements and the ability to respond
effectively to emergencies.
The new educational programme, Institutional Resilience Specialist for Research Organisations, which we are now adding to
CTU's educational offerings, responds to precisely these challenges.
Comprehensive education combining security, law and organisational management
The aim of the programme is to provide participants with a comprehensive overview of current security risks in the research
environment while equipping them with practical tools for identifying, assessing and managing these risks.
The programme combines expertise in research security, geopolitical risks, law, intellectual property protection, cybersecurity,
personnel security, compliance and crisis management. Particular emphasis is placed on the practical application of acquired
knowledge in the day-to-day operations of universities, research institutions and applied research organisations.
Rather than focusing solely on individual security measures, the programme takes a comprehensive approach to institutional
resilience. Participants will learn to understand the interconnections between different types of risks, identify organisational
vulnerabilities and propose measures that contribute to long-term security, stability and the ability to respond to changing
conditions.
Who is the new programme intended for?
The programme is designed for professionals and staff involved in the strategic management, security and protection of the
interests of research organisations.
It is intended primarily for:
The programme is suitable both for professionals already working in the field of institutional resilience and for those seeking
to systematically develop this area within their organisations.
Ten specialised modules focusing on key areas of institutional resilience
The educational programme is divided into ten interconnected specialised modules, enabling participants to understand institutional
resilience in a broader context.
The introductory part of the programme will present the basic principles of institutional resilience, the legislative framework
and ways of integrating resilience into an organisation's strategic management. This will be followed by topics focusing on
geopolitical risks, research protection and the security of international cooperation, including the assessment of foreign
partners and the protection of sensitive technologies.
Specific attention will be paid to export controls and sanctions, intellectual property protection, licensing and technology
transfer. Further modules will focus on cybersecurity and information security, the protection of research data and infrastructure,
as well as personnel security and the prevention of insider threats.
The programme will also cover responsible organisational management, ethics, compliance, reputational risks and crisis communication.
The final module will focus on institutional resilience audits, vulnerability assessments and the development of specific
measures to improve organisational security.
The programme will be taught by CTU academic staff together with external experts from the security community, public administration,
the research sector and industry. By bringing together different professional perspectives, the programme will offer not only
theoretical knowledge but also practical experience and examples applicable to research institutions.
Emphasis on the practical application of acquired knowledge
A significant part of the programme will involve the preparation of a final project in the form of an Institutional Resilience
Plan for the participant's own organisation or a model organisation.
As part of the project, participants will apply their acquired knowledge to identify key risks, assess vulnerabilities and
propose specific organisational, procedural and security measures. The outcome will therefore be not only the development
of professional competencies but also a practical deliverable that can serve as a basis for further developing security management
within their organisations.
This approach supports one of the programme's main objectives – translating expert knowledge into concrete steps that contribute
to strengthening long-term institutional resilience.
A micro-credential programme within CTU's lifelong learning framework
The programme will be delivered as part of CTU's lifelong learning framework and will offer a total of 120 hours of specialised
instruction and 20 hours of independent study.
Upon successful completion, participants will receive a CTU micro-credential certifying the knowledge and competencies acquired
in the field of institutional resilience of research organisations.
The micro-credential programme thus represents an opportunity for targeted professional development in an area whose importance
for the secure and responsible operation of research institutions continues to grow.
Programme launch planned for 2027
The new educational programme, Institutional Resilience Specialist for Research Organisations, is already part of our educational
offerings, and we plan to launch its first run during 2027.
Preparations for its implementation are currently underway. More detailed information about the start date, organisation
of teaching and application opportunities will be published once the preparations have been completed. We believe that the
new programme will contribute to the development of professional competencies among research organisation staff and support
a systematic approach to research protection, security risk management and the strengthening of institutional resilience within
the Czech research environment.
Link to the training programme here.