History
CERGE
CERGE (an abbreviation for the Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education) was created in 1991 by the initiative of Jan Svejnar and Jozef Zieleniec. Their main goal was to establish a program educating the future generation of economists in the Czech Republic who would shape a new economic policy for the post-communist countries. Therefore CERGE was created as a U.S.-style institution providing a first-rate Ph.D. program in Economics. The Belgian economic institution the Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE) served as a model. The main reason for this inspiration was the fact that CORE uses English as a working language and has similar rigorous requirements as the best U.S. universities.
CERGE was established first as a part of the Faculty of Social Sciences of Charles University, later (by a decree of the Rector of Charles University from October 1, 1993) as a research and educational institute of Charles University with independent legal status. Since 1 January 1999 CERGE is a higher educational institute of Charles University in Prague (§ 22, paragraph 1 b) under the Higher Education Act (Act no. 111/1998 Coll.).
The authorities of CERGE are the following:
The Economics Institute
The Economics Institute was established on 15 August 1992, under the name the Economics Institute of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, and as of 31 December 1992, the Institute became an entity of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. The legal status of the Economics Institute of the ASCR has been transformed from a state contributory organization into a public research institution (abbreviated as v. v. i.) since 1 January 2007.
The purpose for which the EI has been established is to carry out scientific research in the field of economics, to contribute to the utilization of its research results, and to provide the research infrastructure.
The principal activity of the EI is scientific research in the field of economic theories both normative and positive, on the macro- and microeconomic levels. It acquires, processes, and disseminates scientific information and issues scientific publications. It provides scientific assessments, professional opinions and recommendations, and consulting and advisory services. Within the scope of its activity, the EI promotes international cooperation, including the organization of joint research projects with foreign partners, the participation in exchange programs for scientists, and the exchange of scientific information, as well as the preparation of joint publications.
EI's authorities are the following:
- Director
- Board of the Economics Institute
- Supervisory Board
- Assembly of Researchers
CERGE-EI
In 1993 CERGE and EI began to cooperate on the basis of an agreement on cooperation. This cooperation evolved into the establishment of a joint workplace called CERGE-EI. The first Agreement on the Association without Legal Subjectivity made between Charles University in Prague, the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and the Economics Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic forming this joint workplace was signed in 1999 and the update was signed in 2009.
The objective of the joint workplace is to fuse research and educational goals. This joint cooperation also creates mutually beneficial links such as the use of funds, as well as common necessary administration structures and assistance services for CERGE and EI.
The joint workplace CERGE-EI offers a program of doctoral studies in economics. All instruction is in English and most of the approximately 120 students come from all parts of Central and Eastern Europe and the post-Soviet states. Also students from Iraq, Colombia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Japan have studied at CERGE-EI. CERGE-EI graduates are usually employed as professors and researchers at universities in Western Europe and the U.S.A., as experts in international organizations such as the IMF and the World Bank, in regional central banks, in consulting firms, and in financial institutions all over the world.
Besides the accreditation by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic (the program is run jointly by the Faculty of Social Science of Charles University, CERGE and EI), CERGE-EI was granted a permanent charter to award Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in economics from the New York State Board of Regents in the U.S.A.
The permanent faculty and management of CERGE-EI is also truly international. Most faculty members have earned their Ph.D. in economics from renowned U.S. and Western European universities.
Regulation and supervision of activities of the joint workplace is executed by the Executive and Supervisory Committee composed of internationally recognized economists.
