2002 – 2012

Ján Tuček – Mikuláš Šupín

Awide range of adjectives can be attributed to the period from 2002 to 2012 in the life of the TUZVO – we can look for its exceptional features and events or strive for a concise overall description, focus on detailed facts, emphasize its most significant advantages and successes, or, on the contrary, analyse failures and shortcomings.

The circumstances of the financial and economic crisis from the more general ones and the process of complex accreditation of higher education institutions with an emphasis on the academic community certainly belong to those characteristic, important, and generally acting phenomena. The internationalization of the Slovak academic space and the opening of the fundings, grants and subsidies from the operational programs of the European Union was certainly an extremely intense external determinant. These circumstances were so significant that their impact exceeded the evaluated period and significantly affected the period of the next few years as well.

Meeting the strategic goal of the Technical University Long-term Plan for the years 2003 to 2010 and defending its inclusion among universities within the demanding process of comprehensive accreditation in 2009 rightfully belongs to the most significant results of this, but also longer development period. It was the logical outcome of a multi-year complex and demanding development stage of the implementation of the three-level study model and the university integration into the European Research and Education Area. However, we have achieved much more extraordinary results, as we provide in the following sections of this chapter.

External Factors and Circumstances

The Technical University in Zvolen (hereinafter referred to as TUZVO) has always been an integral part of the higher education system in Slovakia. The demanding conditions also in the evaluated period were affected by the economic performance of the society, the political decisions of the government and relevant ministries, as well as the activities of individual entities, including universities. The research activities and education at the TUZVO were significantly affected by these conditions.

In the year 2002, the history of the TU in Zvolen was full of significant changes. From 1st April 2002, new laws regarding higher education in Slovakia came into force, primarily the Law on Higher Education No. 131/2002 Coll. While the previous Law on Higher Education No. 172/1990 Coll. mainly restored academic freedoms, the new Law on Higher Education continued with reforms, among other things, by introducing mandatory 3-level higher education and the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), but also by increasing the economic independence of higher education institutions. Under these conditions, on 31st March 2002 the TU in Zvolen was no longer a state budgetary organization and from 1st April 2002, it became a public university.

The most important trends in the period in the field of higher education institutions in Slovakia must certainly include an increase in their number and the diversification of activities. There were already 20 public, 3 state, and 7 private universities operating on the education market. Despite the demanding accreditation process, the necessary significant reduction in the number of study programmes did not occur. A further increase in the number of programs in humanities, and social fields, universities reflected society interest in these attractive fields. Technical, natural science, but also agricultural fields were not so wanted due to their difficulty. The number of university students grew continuously, while funding sources increased only slightly. The result was a decrease in the amount of subsidy per student. In the long term, the situation was complicated by the unfavourable demographic development of the Slovak population. All these facts in the given period were further aggravated by the impact of the economic crisis.

From an economic point of view, two further circumstances were of similar fundamental importance. On 1st May 2004, Slovakia joined the European Union and acquired all the benefits, but also the risks and obligations resulting from it. Tough competition in the field of research, pedagogy and in the development and functioning of the university became an everyday reality. In a way, the adoption of the euro as a currency in Slovakia on 1st January 2009 can be considered the symbolic completion of these processes. The reform of higher education taking place in Slovakia at the beginning of the new millennium therefore also had its economic dimension, which affected several economic aspects of the activities of universities. Subsidies to universities were reduced. The requirement for multi-source financing, mobilization of internal reserves and energy conservation affected significantly running the university. The entire life of the University was thus marked by meeting the measures taken to eliminate the University’s internal debt, the University was burdened with.

Background and Structural, Organizational, and Other Changes

At the beginning of the decade 2002-2012, the Technical University in Zvolen could already be considered a stabilized and, according to the most important indicators, successful research and educational institution with a balanced organizational structure and the background of supporting workplaces, a solid scientific research base with qualified academic teaching staff. In terms of the number of students, the TUZVO was one of the smallest universities in this period.

Almost 5,000 students at all levels and in both forms made up only a little more than two percent of the total number of students in Slovakia. The offered study programmes also focused on quite narrow and specific fields of forestry, wood processing, ecology, and environmental studies. However, society’s need for specialists in these areas was relatively low and limited. Staying on the provision of a limited number of study programmes was already considered risky in the past, therefore, in addition to the traditional Faculty of Forestry and the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology new faculties were created – the Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Studies was established in 1991 and the Faculty of Environmental and Manufacturing Technology in 1996. This tendency continued with the further gradual expansion of the activities of the faculties to specifically focused fields –economic (management and financing), artistic (furniture and interior design), and technical areas (protection of persons and property).

Despite the successful changes leading to a certain stabilization, the management of the University and the Faculties had to continue to respond flexibly to changes in conditions and seek a balance between the advantages of uniqueness with narrow specialization or the need for diversification, operating in the region or the need for international cooperation. The complex situation in the field of higher education financing, especially the emphasis on merit and quality in the allocation of subsidies to higher education institutions by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sports of the Slovak Republic (MŠVVŠ SR), the growth in competition, literally the fight for students, placed high demands on increasing the performance and competitiveness of the TUZVO in maintaining the high-quality education so that legitimate high demands on the knowledge, skills, and abilities of graduates are taken into account.

University

There were not many real structural changes and organizational measures or projects at the University over the decade. On the other hand, the filling of individual positions in academic selfgoverning bodies was in permanent development. The described ten-year-long period was interrupted by four election periods of rectors, which predetermined the dynamics of changes in other positions as well.

In the election period 2000 – 2004, the Rector was Dr. H. c. Prof. Ing. Mikuláš Šupín, CSc. Prof. Ing. Milan Mikleš, Dr. Sc. was the Vice-rector for Education. After being elected the Dean of the Faculty of Environmental and Manufacturing Technology in 2003, he was replaced by Prof. Ing. Ľubomír Scheer, CSc. The position of the Vice-rector for Science and Research and International Relationships was held until 2003 by Assoc. Prof. Ing. Eva Križová, PhD. Subsequently, the vice-rector office was divided into two parts, and the Vice-rector for International Relationships continued to be Assoc. Prof. Ing. Eva Križová, PhD. Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ján Tuček, CSc. became the Vice-rector for Science and Research. Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ján Šimko, CSc. was in the position of the Vice-rector for Development during the entire election period.

In the election period 2004 – 2008, the Rector was Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ján Tuček, CSc. The Vicerector for Education was Prof. Ing. Ľubomír Scheer, CSc. Until 2006, the Vice-rector for Science and Research was Prof. RNDr. Marián Babiak, PhD., who was replaced by Assoc. Prof. Ing. Anna Danihelová, PhD. The Vice-rector for International Relationships Assoc. Prof. Ing. Jozef Víglaský, CSc., and the Vice-rector for Development Assoc. Prof. Ing. Josef Drábek, CSc., performed their functions throughout the election period.

In the years 2008 – 2012, the position of Rector was held by Prof. Ing. Ján Tuček, CSc. for the second time. Until 2011, the Vice-rector for Education was Prof. Ing. Ľubomír Scheer, CSc., who was changed in his position by Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ľubomír Javorek, CSc. The Vice-rector for Science and Research Assoc. Prof. Ing. Anna Danihelová, PhD., and the Vice-rector for International Relationships Assoc. Prof. Ing. Rastislav Šulek, PhD., performed their functions until the end of the election period. The Vice-rector for development Assoc Prof. Ing. Josef Drábek, CSc., was replaced by Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Danica Kačíková, PhD. in 2009.

In the 2012 – 2017 election period, Dr. h. c. Prof. Ing. Rudolf Kropil, PhD was the Rector. The Vice-Rector for Education RNDr. Andrej Jankech, PhD., and the Vice-rector for Science and Research Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ing. Jaroslav Šálka performed their functions until the end of the election period. Assoc. Prof. Ing., Rastislav Šulek, PhD.,Vice-rector for international relationship was replaced by Assoc. Prof. Ing. Branislav Oláh, PhD. in 2016. Vice-rector for development Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Danica Kačíková, PhD., was replaced by Assoc. Prof. Ing. Josef Drábek, CSc. in 2017.

In the years 2001 – 2003, the Chairman of the Academic Senate was Assoc. Prof. Ing Ján Tuček, CSc., in the period 2003 – 2005, the position was held by Assoc. Prof. Ing. Igor Čunderlík, CSc. In the period 2005 – 2011, the Academic Senate was led by Assoc. Prof. Ing. Jozef Suchomel, CSc., and since 2011 by Prof. Ing. Milan Saniga, DrSc.

In the period 1997 – 2002, Ing. Mária Bíziková was in the position of Bursar. Later, in the decade 2002 – 2012, Ing. Štefan Klacko was the Bursar of the TUZVO. The position of the Head of the Rector´s Office was performed by Ing. Viera Tallová.

The changes in the legislation determining the TUZVO as a public university (along with subsequent changes to the Law on Forests), made it impossible for the University to continue managing forest land owned by the state (and bishop's forests, which were not interested in leasing these forests to the TU in Zvolen). Until this time, it was provided by the School Forest Enterprise. In order to maintain direct links to the university, in 2002, the School Forest Enterprise was transformed into an organizational part of the TUZVO as the University Forest Enterprise of the Technical University in Zvolen and long-term lease agreements were concluded with the administrator of the state property, which was the enterprise Forest of the Slovak Republic Banská Bystrica.

Other organizational changes at the University include the establishment of the Institute of Physical Education and Sports in 2003, the Centre of Continuing Education, the Centre for Information Technology and the Publishing House in 2004, and the creation of the Centre for Copying Services in 2005. However, in most cases, it was only a matter of reorganization or a new arrangement of the originally existing parts of the university.

The Institute of Physical Education and Sports was an organizational part of the Faculty of Forestry as the Department of Physical Education until 2003, and later the Institute of Physical Education with university-wide scope focused on the teaching process as well as recreational activities.

In addition, in cooperation with the sports club Slávia TUZVO, the conditions for performance sports, which traditionally included canoeing, karate, volleyball, and basketball were provided.

The Centre of Continuing Education at the TUZVO (CĎV) was created as a university-wide workplace in accordance with the Law on Higher Education. It followed the successful activity of the Local Centre of Distance Learning, which operated at the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology. The mission of the Centre of Continuing Education was to organize further education through courses, trainings, seminars, and conferences, to organize studies at the University of the Third Age, and to contribute to ensuring the system of lifelong education at the University.

The Centre for Information Technology was created by the transformation of the previously long-standing Institute of Computing Technology, which was mainly focused on providing the software and the operation of computers under the TUZVO conditions. The activities to ensure the operation of the University Information System, service to computer users, and technical support to employees, as well as operation of the network infrastructure were added to the fields of interest of the Centre.

In the case of the TUZVO Publishing House, it was a change of the position in the structure of the university, expansion of competences in the creation of publications, and addition of the range of services by the creation of the Centre for Copying Services.

Further developments show the correctness of the decisions on the establishment of these organizational components and the existing counter-opinions about the need for other solutions regarding the provision of activities within their scope, including outsourcing were refuted.

However, there were also intentions that were not so viable. For example, the establishment of the University Centre a non-profit organization focused on organizing events of faculties and departments, covering economic contracts or expertise, which disappeared after a few years. In the same way, the Developmental Workshops and Laboratories focused on mechanical engineering as a part of the company Inžiniering drevoobrábacích strojov, p. r. could not operate in the long term. Even though at the Lignumexpo –Les 2006 exhibition in Nitra we exhibited the first machines developed and manufactured within this, even at the time, innovative form of cooperation with the company Kusing Huncovce. The revitalising activities of the Developmental Workshops and Laboratories could not withstand the economic crisis in the second half of the evaluated period.

On the contrary, the establishment of a detached workplace of the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology at the Higher Professional School in Volyně in the Czech Republic in 2007 proved to be an interesting solution for providing a bachelor's degree and at the same time an effective tool for increasing the number of foreign students at the University. It can even be said that it was a vivid reminder of the former Czech-Slovak ambitions of the University and the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology from the past when 60% of students were from the Czech Republic.

By achieving a positive financial result in 2005, the basic goal in the field of financing the University was met. The previous negative development was reversed, and we coped with a substantial part of the loss in the creation of the reproduction fund.

In order to achieve this result, extensive analyses of the use of the university's capacities, energy consumption and operating costs were carried out. In addition to several smaller organizational and technical measures, the most significant one was the re-location of the Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Studies from Banská Štiavnica to Zvolen in 2006. Despite the complexity and difficulty of preparations, negotiations and implementation, this process was successful. Although this intention was not immediately understood, later developments clearly showed that it was correct and became a contribution to the development of both the Faculty and the University. Several organizational problems in the provision of teaching and operation were eliminated, the integration of the university's parts was restored and mutual links between workplaces were revived, and, finally, there were also savings in operating costs.

In the economic field, several fundamental changes were made during this period in the methodology of creating and fulfilling the university budget. Moreover, following the already mentioned analyses, we conceived it no longer as a breakdown of subsidies, but as a budget in the truest sense of the word. Such an approach resulted in the need to deal with the more intensive application of qualitative criteria in the evaluation of workplaces in accordance with the approach applied by the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic, but also with the mutual accounting of performances between workplaces, the systematization of workplaces of all parts of the University, etc. At the same time, it was concluded that further development will no longer be possible based on the search for savings at workplaces, but by increasing the performance of workplaces in obtaining non-subsidy resources, cooperation of the university parts in order to obtain large cross-sectional and international projects, the results of which were also reflected in the pedagogical and scientific research activities of the University as a whole.

The preparation, creation of projects, their management, and the implementation of the results have always been administratively difficult. Therefore, a new specialized organizational unit of the Rectorate – the Project Management Department was established at the TUZVO in 2010. Its task was to ensure and provide support for all activities related to the preparation of grant applications, including project management, material implementation, and agenda management.

In the field of pedagogy, the most important task and positive result of the period since 2003 was mastering the process of accreditation of study programmes, accreditation of rights to carry out habilitation proceedings, and proceedings for the appointment of a professor, including the full implementation of the three-level study model and ECTS principles in accordance with the gradually introduced legislation. The preparations also culminated and the process of accreditation of study programmes and comprehensive accreditation of the University in accordance with Law No. 131/2002 Coll. on Higher Education began.

The international dimension of higher education in the Bologna process, which was already intensively used throughout the European Union during this period, represented a qualitatively completely new phenomenon for Slovak universities and the TUZVO in particular. It gave students the opportunity to obtain not only a high-quality and flexible education, but also expanded their chances on the international labour market. A key role in the integration into these processes was played by the information related to the universities provided publicly. The University cooperated closely in publishing the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) information package. In 2005, comprehensive information and promotional material were published in English about the TU in Zvolen providing basic information about the University together with detailed information about study opportunities for foreign students as well.

Faculties

Individual faculties and other organizational parts of the University were also stabilized during this period. In order to simplify the commentary, in the following text, we will use data relating to the middle of the evaluated decade (the year 2007) and its end (the year 2012) as reference.

In the year 2007, the Faculty of Forestry was divided into eight departments (heads of the departments are mentioned in brackets):

Department of Economics and Management of Forestry (Prof. Ing. Iveta Hajdúchová, PhD.), Department of Phytology (Prof. Ing. Ladislav Paule, PhD.), Department of Forest Management and Geodesy (Prof. Ing. Anton Žíhlavník, CSc.),

Department of Forest Exploitation and Mechanization (Prof. Ing. Valéria Messingerová, CSc.),

Department of Forest Constructions and Ameliorations (Assoc. Prof. Ing. Pavol Dvorščák, PhD.), Department of Forest Protection and Game Management (Prof. Ing. Peter Garaj, CSc.),

Department of Silviculture (Prof. Ing. Milan Saniga, DrSc.), and Department of Natural Environment (Assoc. Prof. Ing. Juraj Gregor, CSc.).

Until the year 2012, no changes in the structure of the Faculty of Forestry occurred, however, several heads of the departments changed. Assoc. Prof. Ing Marek Fabrika, PhD became the head of the Department of Forest Management and Geodesy. The head of the Department of Forest Exploitation and Mechanization was Assoc. Prof. Ing. Jozef Suchomel, CSc., the head of the Department of Forest Constructions and Ameliorations Prof. Ing. Matúš Jakubis, PhD., and the head of the Department of Natural Environment Prof. Ing. Jaroslav Škvarenina, CSc. In the year 2007, 18 professors, 19 associate professors, 32 assistant professors, 28 researchers, and 29 other staff were employed at the departments of the Faculty of Forestry. The qualification structure and number of employees were stable as in the year 2012, 14 professors, 25 associate professors, 35 assistant professors, 36 researchers, and 31 other staff were at the departments. The number of researchers and other staff fluctuated depending on the number of project grants from the EU structural funds, where such positions were planned for the purpose of each project.

In the years 2000 – 2008, Prof. Ing. Štefan Žíhlavník, CSc. was the Dean of the Faculty of Forestry. In the year 2007, the Vice-dean for Scientific and Research Work was Prof. Ing. Rudolf Kropil, CSc., the Vice-dean for Education Prof. Ing. Matúš Jakubis, PhD., and the Vice-dean for Development and Foreign Relations was Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ing. Viliam Pichler. In the years 1997 – 2012, the position of the Chairman of the Academic Senate of the Faculty of Forestry was held by Prof. Ing. Milan Saniga, DrSc.

In the years 2008 – 2012, Prof. Ing. Rudolf Kropil, CSc was the Dean of the Faculty and Prof. Ing. Matúš Jakubis, PhD., Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ing. Viliam Pichler, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ing. Jaroslav Šálka and since the year 2009 Prof. Ing. Valéria Messingerová, CSc held the positions of Vice-deans.

In the year 2012, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ing. Viliam Pichler was elected the Dean of the Faculty of Forestry and the Vice-dean for Education Prof. Ing. Valéria Messingerová, CSc., the Vicedean for Scientific and Research Work was Assoc. Prof. Ing. Jaroslav Kmeť, PhD., and the Vice-dean for Development and Foreign Relations was Prof. Ing. Ľubomír Scheer, CSc.

Ing. Helena Gibasová held the position as a Head of Dean's Office. Since the year 2012, the Chairman of the Academic Senate of the Faculty of Forestry was Assoc. Prof. Ing. Katarína Střelcová, PhD.

In the year 2007, the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology consisted of eleven departments (heads of the departments are mentioned in brackets): Department of Wood Science (Prof. Ing. Ján Dubovský, CSc.), Department of Mathematics and Descriptive Geometry (Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Milan Matejdes,

CSc.), Department of Physics, and Applied Mechanics (Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Milada Gajtanska, CSc.), Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies (Prof. RNDr. František Kačík, PhD.), Department of Mechanical Wood Technology (Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ivan Klement, CSc.), Department of Furniture and Wood Products (Prof. Ing. Ján Zemiar, PhD.), Department of Furniture Design and Wood Products (Assoc. Prof. Ing. Pavol Joščák, CSc.), Department of Woodworking (Prof. Ing. Ladislav Dzurenda, PhD.), Department of Enterprise Management (Assoc. Prof. Ing. Rastislav Rajnoha, PhD.), Department of Marketing, Trade and World Forestry (Dr. h. c. Prof. Ing. Mikuláš Šupín, CSc.), and Department of Fire Protection (Prof. Ing. Anton Osvald, CSc.).

Until the year 2012, no changes in the structure of the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology occurred, however, several heads of the departments changed. Dr. h. c. Prof. RNDr. Marián Babiak, PhD., became a head of the Department of Wood Science, Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Marta Laurová, PhD the head of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, Assoc. Prof. Ing. Pavol

Joščák, CSc. the head of the Department of Furniture and Wood Products, Prof. Ing. Anna Šatanová, CSc. the head of the Department of Enterprise Management, René Baďura M.F.A. the head of the Department of Furniture Design and Wood Products, and PaedDr. Peter Polakovič, PhD. the head of the Department of Fire Protection. 19 professors, 28 associate professors, 58 assistant professors, 23 researchers, and 37 white collar workers were employed at the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology in 2007. In the year 2012, 14 professors, 27 associate professors, 62 assistant professors, 19 researchers and 33 white collar workers were at the Faculty.

In the years 2001 – 2005, Assoc. Prof. Ing. Štefan Barcík, PhD. held the position of the Dean of the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology. In the years 2005 – 2009, Prof. Ing. Igor Čunderlík, CSc., became the Dean of the Faculty, Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Danica Kačíková, PhD. was the Vice-dean for Education, Assoc. Prof. Ing. Anton Geffert the Vice-dean for Research, PhD., and Assoc. Prof. Ing. Jozef Štefko, CSc. the Vice-dean for Development. Ing. Alena Macoszková was the Head of the Faculty Dean's Office.

Since 2009, the management of the Faculty of Woodwork has worked in the composition of:

Prof. Ing. Mikuláš Siklienka, PhD. – Dean, RNDr. Andrej Jankech, PhD. – Vice-dean for Education (since 2012 Ing. Adrián Banski, PhD.), Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ján Sedliačik, PhD. – Vice-dean for Research and Further Education, Assoc.

Prof. Ing. Hubert Paluš, PhD. – Vice-dean for Foreign Relations and Development of the Faculty.

The position of the Chairman of the Academic Senate of the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology was held by Assoc. Prof. Ing. Štefan Barcík, PhD., (2000 – 2002), Prof. Ing. Mikuláš Siklienka, CSc., (2003 – 2007), and Assoc.

Prof. RNDr. Iveta Marková, PhD., (2007 – 2011).

Since the year 2011 Assoc. Prof. Ing. Josef Drábek, CSc became the Chairman of the Academic Senate of the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology.

The Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Sciences was divided into following six Departments in 2007 (heads of the departments are mentioned in brackets): Department of Applied Ecology (Ing. Vladimír Kunca, PhD.), Department of Biology and General Ecology (Assoc. Prof. Ing. Slavomír Stašiov, PhD.), Department of Environmental Engineering (Prof. Mgr. Juraj Ladomerský, CSc.), Department of Landscape

Planning and Creation (Assoc. Prof. Ing. Peter Jančura, PhD.), Department of Social Sciences, and UNESCO Chair for Ecological Awareness and Sustainable Development (JUDr. Emil Čerkala, PhD.) (since 1st September 2018 both departments were merged).

Until the year 2012, no changes in the structure of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Ecology occurred, however, the heads of the Department of Environmental Engineering changed (until 1st July 2012 – Prof. Mgr. Juraj Ladomerský, CSc., since 1st July 2012

– Prof. Ing. Dagmar Samešová, PhD.).

7 professors, 10 associate professors, 26 assistant professors, 7 researchers, 10 technicians and 4 white collar workers were employed at the Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Sciences. After some fluctuations caused by changing the seat of the Faculty, the qualification structure of professors and associate professors can be considered stable.

In 2000 – 2003, the position of the Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Ecology was held by Prof. Ing. Ivan Vološčuk, DrSc. In the years 2003 – 2004, Assoc. Prof. Ing. Vladimír Konrád, CSc. was put in charge to be the Dean and subsequently, he was officially elected the Dean for the years 2004 – 2005.

At that time, Assoc. Prof. Ing. Karol Kočík, PhD. (2001 – 2003), Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Dagmar Sláviková, CSc. (1995 – 2002), Assoc. Prof. Ing. Vladimír Konrád, CSc. (2000 – 2003), Assoc. Prof. Ing. Tibor Benčať, CSc. (2003 – 2007), Prof. RNDr. Oľga Kontrišová, CSc. (2004 – 2007), Ing. Branislav Olah, PhD. (2004 – 2007) held the position of Vice-deans.

In the year 2005, Ing. Karol Kočík, PhD. was put in charge to be the Dean and subsequently, he was officially elected the Dean for the years 2005 – 2009. Other academics were the Vicedeans for education Prof. Ing. Tibor Benčať, CSc. (until the year 2007) and Assoc. Prof. Ing. Dagmar Samešová, PhD. (until the year 2011), the Vicedeans for Science and Research Prof. RNDr. Oľga Kontrišová, CSc. (until the year 2008) and Assoc. Prof. Ing. Branko Slobodník, PhD. (until the year 2009), as well as the previous Vice-dean for Development and International Relations (until the year 2009) Assoc. Prof. Ing. Branislav Olah, PhD.

From 2009 to 2013, Assoc. Prof. Ing. Branko Slobodník, PhD. was elected the Dean of the Faculty, and the Vice-deans were Ing. Magdaléna Pichlerová, PhD. (development and international relations), Ing. Juraj Modranský, PhD. (education), and Ing. Michal Wiezik, PhD. (research, science and PhD. studies).

In the year 2007, the Faculty of Environmental and Manufacturing Technology consisted of seven departments (heads of the departments are mentioned in brackets): Department of Woodworking Machines and Equipment (Prof. Ing. Ivan Makovíny, CSc.), Department of Environmental Technology (Assoc. Prof. Ing. Jozef Černecký, CSc.), Department of Informatics, and Automation Technology (Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ľudovít Šípoš, CSc.), Department of Forest and Mobile Technology (Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ján Holík, CSc.), Department of Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering (Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ferdinand Bodnár, CSc.), Department of Technical Management (Prof. Ing. Ján Zelený, CSc.), and Department of Manufacturing Technology and Substances (Assoc. Prof. Ing. Peter Šugár, CSc.).

Until the year 2012, no changes in the structure of the Faculty of Environmental and Manufacturing Technology occurred, however, several heads of the departments changed. Assoc Prof. Ing. Ján

Svoreň, CSc. became the head of the Department of Woodworking Machines and Equipment, Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ľubomír Naščák, CSc the head of the Department of Informatics and Automation Technology, Prof. Ing. Milan Mikleš, DrSc. The head of the Department of Forest and Mobile Technology, Prof. Ing. Jozef Víglaský, CSc. The head of the Department of Technical Management, and Ing. Daniela Kalincová, PhD. the head of the Department of Manufacturing Technology and Substances.

3 professors, 10 associate professors, 22 assistant professors, 2 researchers and 13 white collar workers were responsible for education, scientific and research activities and other activities at the Faculty.

The position of the Dean of the Faculty of Environmental and Manufacturing Technology was performed by Prof. Ing. Ján Zelený, CSc. (1996 – 2003), Prof. Ing. Milan Mikleš, DrSc. (2003 – 2011), and Assoc. Prof. Ing. Marián Kučera, PhD. (2011 – 2015).

The positions of the Vice-deans were performed by Prof. Ing. Milan Danko, CSc. (1996 – 2003), Prof. Ing. Jozef Šuriansky, CSc. (2000 – 2003), Assoc. Prof. Ing. Juraj Tuhársky, CSc. (2001 – 2003), Assoc Prof. Ing. Ľubomír Naščák, CSc. (2003 – 2007), Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ján Marko, CSc. (2003 – 2007), Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ľubomír Javorek, CSc. (2003 – 2007), Ing. Pavol Beňo, PhD. (2007).

In the year 2012, the position of the Dean of the Faculty of Environmental and Manufacturing Technology was held by Assoc. Prof. Ing. Marián Kučera, PhD., Assoc. Prof. Ing. Branislav Danko, PhD. was the Vice-dean for Education and Promoting the Faculty, Assoc. Prof. Ing. Pavel Beňo, PhD. the Vicedean for Development, International Relations, and Economic Activities, Ing. Ján Kováč, PhD. the Vicedean for Science, Research and PhD. Studies.

The position of the Chairman of the Academic Senate of the Faculty of Environmental and Manufacturing Technology was performed by: Assoc. Prof. Ing. Ján Marko, CSc., (1996 – 2003), Assoc. Prof. Ing. Juraj Tuhársky, CSc., (2003 – 2006), Assoc. Prof. Ing. Jozef Černecký, CSc., (2006 – 2007), 2012 – Assoc. Prof. Ing. Jozef Černecký, CSc.

The position of the Head of the Faculty Dean's Office was held by PhDr. Peter Gašperan (1996 –2003) and Ing. Magdaléna Klacková (2003 – 2012).

Other Organisational Parts of the TUZVO

Apart from the changes regarding the University Forest Enterprise, the Centre for Information Technology, the Centre for Continuing Education and the TUZVO Publishing House, there were no other major changes in the composition of the other organisational parts or in the focus of their activities. The Institute of Foreign Languages, the Borová Hora Arboretum, The Slovak Library of Forestry and Wood Sciences, the Developmental Workshops and Laboratories and the Ľudovít Štúr Student Dormitory and Canteen have retained their status from the previous period.

Until 2010, the head of the Institute of Foreign Languages was Danica Dvořáková and after her retirement she was replaced by Marek Lupták. The head of the Institute of Physical Education and Sports was Ján Prachár until 2004. He was also replaced by Peter Polakovič after his retirement. Until 2004, the director of the University Forest Enterprise was Ing. Ján Malko and in 2004 and 2005 Ing. Tibor Lebocky. From 2005 to 2012, Ing. Igor Olajec became the director. The director of the Borová Hora Arboretum was held by Assoc. Prof. Ing Ivan Lukáčik, CSc. for a long time from 1996 and also from 2002 – 2012. At the same time, he was a member of a teaching staff of the Department of Silviculture at the Faculty of Forestry. In 1998 –2004, Ing. Elena Žíhlavníková was the director of the Slovak Library of Forestry and Wood Sciences, since 2004 the position of director was performed by Ing. Alena Poláčiková. Until 2004, the director of the Centre of Information Technology was Ing. Ján Válka, in the years 2004 – 2007 Ing. Miroslav Gecovič and since 2007 Ing. Tibor Weiss. In 2001 – 2006, the director of the Developmental Workshops and Laboratories was Ing. Peter Pavelka. Since 2006, the position of director was performed by Ing. Jaroslav Ohanka, CSc. He was the director of the Ľudovít Štúr Student Dormitory and Canteen until 2011 Ing. Martin Šiagi, who was replaced by Ing. Zuzana Zelemová. She has been the head of the Publishing House since 1995 PhDr. Eva Fekiačová and has been the head of the Further Education Center since its inception in 2004 Ing. Erik Selecký, PhD.

Education at the TUZVO

With regard to the external factors described above, the period 2002 – 2012 can be divided into two parts. The fundamental dividing line is the introduction of the three-level model of study, including the corresponding accreditation of the system of study programmes, as well as the process of comprehensive accreditation in 2007. One of the goals of the accreditation was to divide higher education institutions in Slovakia into universities and other institutions providing higher education, including subsequent impact on the method of their financing.

However, in contemporary documents, even the first part of the period was considered to be the result of significant changes and transformational processes with the beginning diversification of higher education, an increase in the number of students and changes in the legislative and economic environment. Under these conditions, the TUZVO searched for adequate spheres of its activity and responded to social and socioeconomic changes by offering suitable fields of study, branches, and specializations.

In the academic year 2001 – 2002, the students at the Faculty of Forestry studied in four fields – forestry, management and financing of forest enterprises, forest ecology, and applied zoology and hunting. At the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology, there were six study branches – wood engineering, furniture design, business management, wood processing, fire protection, and interior design. The Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Studies offered two branches of study – applied ecology, and environmental studies, and the Faculty of Environmental and Manufacturing Technology offered one field of study – machine and equipment engineering.

Some departments offered another possible specialization of the students – there were six at the Faculty of Forestry, fourteen at the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology, four at the Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, and four at the Faculty of Environmental and Manufacturing Technology. Except for forestry, woodworking, and fire protection, provided also in the part-time form of study, the other branches of study were available only in the full-time form of study. All study was provided in master’s study programmes, only interior design was provided only in Bachelor’s degree. Even though certain elements of the credit system were already applied at the faculties and in some study programmes in the previous period, this system became generally mandatory in the academic year 2002 – 2003.

During this period, the activities of the Local Distance Education Centre at the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology were approaching an end. The main programme of the Centre was the 9-semester distance study program Enterprise Management. Lifelong education in the form of the University of the Third Age was part of the educational process. Several six-semester study fields (Land Ecology and Nature Conservation, Ornamental and Medicinal plants, Healthcare, Information Technology and Its Use, Philosophy and Ethics, Psychology, Foreign Language Course, Human Nutrition) were offered. In the academic year 2001 – 2002, 62 students in total attended the courses. In cooperation with the Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica, the TUZVO regularly organized an additional teacher training course for full-time students and graduates, as well as employees. Due to the great interest, the capacity of around 70 students every two years must be exceeded. These activities were provided by the Centre for Continuing Education.

Since the academic year 2005 – 2006, the University offered students a comprehensive set of new study programmes meeting all the requirements of the three-level education model and the credit transfer system accredited gradually since 2003. Primarily, the University focused on the traditional fields of forestry and hunting, woodworking, furniture and interior design, ecology and environmental sciences, and environmental and production technology. Other programmes were aimed at sectoral economics and management, enterprise economics and management, fire protection of people and property, and fire and rescue services. The study programme Economics and Management of Natural Resources designed by the university can be considered a novelty.

Several faculties, especially economically oriented workplaces covered the courses in the study programme – the Department of Economics and Management of Forestry at the Faculty of Forestry, the Department of Business Economics and the Department of Marketing, Trade and World Forestry at the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology. In total, there were 60 programmes, in the full-time and part-time forms of study, of which 24 were in the bachelor’s degree, 21 in the master’s degree and 15 in the PhD. degree.

The range of offered programmes expanded again (the impression of a significant increase was attributed primarily to the consistent differentiation of study programmes according to the form of their provision – full-time, part-time) based on the results of the comprehensive (first periodical) accreditation. In accordance with the valid legislation, the University applied for it in 2007, and the process was completed in 2009 with an evaluation of the period 2001 –2006. During the accreditation, the University was granted the right to provide 107 study programmes, of which 40 in bachelor’s, 39 in master’s, and 28 in PhD. degrees.

In the long-term perspective, positive trends in the number of students continued in the evaluated period. The number of PhD. students also gradually increased and stayed at the level of 9-10% of the total number of students. However, in the last years of the evaluated period, it decreased to the level of approx. 6.0%, which mainly reflects the reduction in the number of part-time students and the number of places allocated by the Ministry. Most of the study programmes also had an accredited part-time form of study, with a ratio of 30-35% of the total number of students.

Even though, the historical maximum number of students was reached in this period, the TUZVO did not follow the general trends of an increase in the number of students, which was manifested especially in some of the newly created universities. In addition to capacity reasons, narrow and specialized focus, and the emphasis on quality and not quantity in educational activities declared by the decisions of the individual bodies of the University can be considered the reason. On the other hand, such reserved behaviour of the University compared to most other universities in Slovakia caused a decrease in the performance share of all institutions.

In the academic year 2011 – 2012, the University already had a rebuilt and verified study system in accordance with the relevant legal regulations and the university’s ambitions in the Slovak and European educational space. The structure of the education was exclusively three-level with a consistent application of the credit evaluation and transfer system (ECTS). A total of 4,880 students enrolled, of which 1,893 were in the first years of bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The number of enrolled foreign students was 136. The development of interest in studying at the university was documented by a total of 3,792 registered applications for studies in the first and second degrees. Compared to the previous year, it was 831 less. For the first time after six academic years, there was a continuous decrease in the number of registered students. The decline in the number of applicants at that time reflected the population decline, with which secondary schools had already begun to struggle. However, as it was later confirmed, the first signals from secondary and primary schools confirmed the beginning of a long-term and intensive trend, which gradually escalated.

The implementation of the project “Creation of Study Programmes in a World Language and Support for the Teaching of Foreign Languages at the Technical University in Zvolen“ was one of the tools for achieving the openness of the University in accordance with the strategic goal –internationalization of studies, and thus gaining a more significant position within the international educational and scientific research space. In 2010, the University received a non-refundable financial contribution of 1 million euros from the European Social Fund, operational program Education. Three study programmes in the master’s degree (Furniture and Interior Design, Production and Utilization of Wood Products, Forestry and Wildlife Management) and one in the PhD. degree (Adaptive Forestry and Wildlife Management) were prepared. Not only their curricula were created, but also the basic study literature of the courses in the English language. After overcoming the difficulties of accreditation and the start of the new system of study programmes, attention in the university environment was focused on solving their qualitative aspects. They talked about the need for improvement, mutual harmonization, duplications, or, on the contrary, the search for breakthroughs in courses that could be provided on a university basis. The goal was the possibility of the use of the principles of self-profiling and the transfer of credits for students, while at the same time reducing the high teacher workload along with saving costs. Attention was also focused on the organisational problems of teaching, the use of spaces, the minimum required number of students in groups, etc.

Science and Research

The results in scientific research and artistic activity in the evaluated period 2002 – 2012 also influenced all other activities of the university, including educational activities, international cooperation, material development, as well as cooperation with practice. Above all, they had a dominant position in the results of the university evaluation. Scientific, research, and artistic activity therefore belonged to the most important elements of the university development strategy. Following the results of the comprehensive accreditation, the status of a university higher education institution was confirmed in 2009 and at the same time the University was awarded a certificate of ability to carry out research and development.

In this period, the funds for the implementation of research activities were obtained, primarily from domestic sources. In a long-term perspective, it was possible to state positive trends. The volume of funds for scientific and research activity in the subsidy gradually increased since 2003, and in 2010 it reached more than double the original volume. In absolute terms, the amount of this subsidy was almost 4 million crowns. The TUZVO had a good position among universities in Slovakia, in resource acquisition, it was among the first ten universities for a long time. This fact was even more pronounced when recalculating the volume of resources obtained per one creative worker. However, from a short-term perspective, towards the end of the evaluated period, there is a temporary decrease in the performance of the university in terms of the volume of funds obtained, even though the total number of projects did not change significantly. The number and amount of funding received for bilateral international projects increased dynamically when the number of such projects tripled, and the volume of funds received doubled. In accordance with internal intentions, already at that time the focus of resources was on projects financed by the Slovak Research and Development Agency, while in 2011 we dealt with 14 projects supported by this agency with a total amount of funding of almost EUR 700,000. It represented more than 50% of the total amount for this field.

Unfortunately, the reduction in the number and amount of funding for international research grants continued. Because the University did not enter new projects, the amount of funding obtained stagnated and was very low both absolutely and relatively. At least some compensation was provided by the already mentioned increase in the number of bilateral projects. Even though it was a qualitatively completely different category, these projects played an important role in the search for partnerships and prospective involvement in new projects, together with the activities of COST.

Employees of the Faculty of Forestry and the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology obtained foreign grants from the Framework Programmes (6th and 7th FP) financed by the European Commission. Specifically, it was the EVOLTREE projects – EVOLution of TREEs as drivers of terrestrial biodiversity, principal investigator: Prof. Ing. Ladislav Paule, CSc.; TREEBREEDEX –A Working Model Network of Tree Improvement for Competitive, Multifunctional, and Sustainable European Forestry, principal investigator: Prof. Ing. Ladislav Paule, CSc.; EFORWOOD – Tools for Sustainability Impact Assessment of Forestry –Wood Chain, principal investigator: Prof. Ing. Rudolf Kropil, CSc.; INT-ER-LINK – Promoting INTernational Cooperation for Environment Research Through

Dissemination and Networking Activities, principal investigator: Prof. Ing. Rudolf Kropil, CSc.; and INNOVAWOOD – An Innovation Strategy to Integrate Industry Needs and Research Capability in the European Forestry Wood Chain, principal investigator: Dr. h. c. Prof. h. c. Prof. Ing. Mikuláš Šupín, CSc.

In addition to resources from research agencies - the Slovak Research and Development Agency (APVV), the Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic (VEGA), the Cultural and Educational Agency of the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic (KEGA), the University gradually obtained resources from the Agency of the Ministry of Education for Structural EU funds (ASFEU) for projects so-called centres of excellence. These were built mainly at the Faculty of Forestry with the involvement of selected workplaces at the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology and the Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Sciences. The TUZVO was the applicant in three of these projects: Centre of Excellence: Adaptive Forest Ecosystems, principal investigator: Prof. Ing. Rudolf Kropil, CSc.; completion of the Centre of Excellence: Adaptive Forest Ecosystems, principal investigator: Prof. Ing. Rudolf Kropil, CSc.; and the Centre of Excellence for Decision Support in Forests and Landscapes, principal investigator: Prof. Ing. Ján Tuček, CSc. In the other three projects, the University held the position of co-investigator: Centre of Excellence for Integrated Research on the Earth's Geosphere, principal investigator: Assoc. Prof. Ing. Juraj Bebej, CSc.; Centre of excellence: Use of Wood Ash in Forestry, principal investigator: Assoc. Prof. Ing. Juraj Gregor, CSc.; and the Centre of Excellence for Integrated Watershed Management under Changing Environmental Conditions, principal investigator: Assoc. Prof. Ing. Katarína Střelcová, CSc.

The publication of the acquired knowledge is the basic form of presentation of the results of scientific research activity. In the evaluated period, the TUZVO workers still produced primarily publications classified as group ''C'' (contributions published at scientific conferences and scientific works published in non-indexed journals). The number of publications in ISIindexed journals gradually increased after a slight decrease (in 2008) but was still far from reaching the necessary and expected level.

The organization of scientific research activities aimed at increasing the number of projects solving cross-sectional and broadly conceived tasks using the cooperation of experts, workplaces, facilities, and resources of the TUZVO, research workplaces in Zvolen, and the region, within Slovakia, as also in the European area. Several high-quality, highly specialized workplaces were built or significantly expanded at the TUZVO during the evaluated period, e.g., Laboratory for DNA Analysis, Laboratory of Geoinformatics, United National Centre for Research on Temperate Forests, Research Centre for Ecology, Protection, and Wildlife Management, Laboratory of Wood Anatomy and Morphology, Laboratory of Image Analysis, Laboratory of Colorimetry, Microbiology Laboratory, and Laboratory of Mechatronics. Their creating means the university moved into the position of an interesting and potential partner of domestic, but especially foreign projects.

An important element of research activities at the TUZVO has always been the involvement of students of all forms of study in solving research tasks. Annually organized scientific student conferences were a showcase of the best works. At the end of the evaluated period, student scientific and professional activity at the Faculty of Forestry and the Faculty of Wood Sciences and

Technology had a long tradition (46 and 47 years, respectively). Newer faculties continued with this tradition immediately after their establishment, the Faculty of Environmental and Manufacturing Technology had 6 years and the Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Sciences 3 years of competitive tours. In the evaluated years, a further increase in the interest of domestic students as well as students from abroad was recorded. Conferences became international, competition increased, and thus also the quality of the works presented. In addition to the opportunity to participate in the research activities of the university, the Student Scientific Conference also represented an opportunity for students to use and shape their professional interests and develop talent and creative thinking. They could further use the acquired knowledge and experience in solving bachelor's and master’s topics. For some students, it was also a good start to scientific work in the form of PhD. studies.

International Cooperation

After mastering the fields mentioned so far, the real internationalisation of education, science, research, and the use of knowledge, highlighting the position of the University within the European educational and research space, as well as involvement in building a European knowledge society, became vitally important.

Especially at the beginning of the described decade, these processes did not develop smoothly. Even though in the partial fields of international cooperation (such as cooperation agreements, membership in international organisations and institutions, or participation in international events and their organisation) the results of the University were adequate, but still rather isolated and occasional.

The qualitative parameters of the implemented activities did not correspond to the development of this field in general. The real language skills of students and employees, the scope and method of teaching foreign languages and especially teaching in foreign languages resulted in the number of grants obtained for the given purposes and their parameters (mainly the number of students and employees sent abroad and accepted to the University), which were low.

The comprehensive approach to this issue, commented also in the description of changes at the University, as well as educational and research activities went over. The benefit of the extended Erasmus Charter for Higher Education, which the university received for the period between 2008 – 2013, was also fully utilized. The number of mobilities for students and employees of the University gradually increased, and their focus expanded from study stays to internships in companies and training of other university employees. Subsequently, the total amount of funding that the university obtained for these purposes increased as well. By reaching the number of grants at the level of 100 thousand Euros for 2011, the amount of funding doubled again over the past three years. From a qualitative point of view, there was a great shift in the mobility paradigm, from a means to acquire or improve language skills to students’ ideas about the content of their professional studies abroad.

The Scientific Board of the University recommended focusing on intensive programmes in this field – summer schools, courses, and student exchanges. At the end of the evaluated period, it can be stated that this intention was fulfilled, even in terms of quality, when the TUZVO organized several such programmes. In the academic year 2010 – 2011, almost 100 students participated in four such programmes. The university workplaces prepared two programmes. The intensive Green Emotions programme was highly rated by the participants from the five participating universities, the teachers who worked there, as well as the SAIA staff. As a development potential, it was possible to evaluate the fact that it was prepared by the youngest members of the Department of Furniture Design and Wood Products of the Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology.

In the field of development of international relations and especially relations with the public in the purposeful building of the so-called goodwill (good name, reputation) and the implementation of activities forming a positive image, it was necessary to pay long-term attention to the implementation and development of the so-called Public Relations. The positive effects, manifested by increased media interest and positive media outputs, had an impact on the perception of the TUZVO as a top educational and scientific research institution among the public as well as the professional public. At the same time, they contributed to the formation of loyalty and a sense of pride for their alma mater among students and employees of the TUZVO, and at the same time to the development of relations with state and local government authorities and other professional institutions. However, the essential basis was to solve both the content and substantive aspects of this issue, as well as their technological and IT support.

At the beginning of 2005, the reconstruction of the University website began as one of the most important tools for communication with the professionals and the public, especially with those interested in studying at the TUZVO. When choosing the supplier of the editorial system for the creation of pages, attention was paid to the most progressive approach and application of technology that would withstand the strictest criteria from the point of view of modernity. All important information about the University, including information from the field of international activities, international cooperation in science, research, and education, was gradually available on the pages of the TUZVO website. The website was systematically updated and provided information in both Slovak and English language about the University activities, the possibilities, and conditions of studying at the TUZVO, and at the same time, it was a virtual portal of important institutions of the European Union whose activities are related to the mission and goals of the University.

The introduction of a uniform visual presentation of the Technical University’s in Zvolen and the design of the manual in 2005 contributed to strengthening the University thinking and improving the relationship with its own institution. Since then, the University and its parts had their own logos and a uniform style of the most relevant materials emphasizing its identity and integrity. From the point of view of relations with the public, it was a new important tool for a uniform graphic presentation of the University, which anchored graphic standards and a style in all forms of its external manifestations. It clearly identified and strengthened the image of the TUZVO.

Next to the website, the second most important communication channel of the University was the University Newspaper as a printed medium. Since its establishment in 1993, they have undergone intensive development, they have been gradually expanded, new sections have been added and the emphasis has been placed on current topics. Even in this decade, they played a positive role, and the graphic design was updated several times. With the direct support of Slovenská sporiteľna, since 2008 they have been published regularly in an enlarged newspaper format and in full colour in increasing circulation. The function of their editor-in-chief was carried out by Ing. Peter Gasperan since 2003.

Development of the TUZVO

During the summer of 2007, the TUZVO started to participate in a project with a really great impact and long-term effect. The project was focused on the implementation of the University Information System. Changes resulting from the introduction of the three-level study model, the credit transfer system, the individualisation of studies, an increase in the number of students, the pressure on the efficient use of TUZVO capacities, but also the working time of each employee were only the main reasons for this change. Due to its complexity, and difficulty, but especially the fact that it really concerned every student and employee, every activity in education, research or organisational activity, every capacity and part of the TUZVO, it was one of the biggest changes in the life of the TUZVO. Perhaps even greater than the introduction of the three-level study model, because only this fundamental change was fully implemented through a well-functioning University Information System.

Despite significant investments and the development of partial information systems, the state of TUZVO ICT technology could still be characterized as unbalanced. On the one hand, it was possible to achieve considerable progress in the modernisation of the data and communication infrastructure of the TUZVO, mainly thanks to investments from the EU structural funds.

As part of these projects, most objects, including the Borová Hora Arboretum, were connected to high-speed Internet with a transmission speed of 10 Gbps, and a new server room with an autonomous energy source was established, with thirty servers allowing data storage in the volume of 20 TB. In the facilities and all premises of the TUZVO, the zones of wireless, mobile, Wi-Fi connection within the international EDUROAM Internet network were established.

The implementation of these projects also enabled the gradual modernization of practically all classrooms, laboratories, and lecture halls. The technologies installed in these spaces and the lecture halls made it possible to record and broadcast lectures and similar activities outside their premises and within the framework of a high-speed Internet connection to the whole world. To obtain information from the University Information Systems students and visitors could use the facilities of the university information and communication system, which consisted of information kiosks, internet web kiosks and monitors of the digital data system, and projections, which can also be used to transmit information from the university lecture halls and other academic, research or other institutions in Slovakia and the world.

On the other hand, the TUZVO still had significant reserves in the field of integration of individual information systems, as well as in the field of security, authorization, authentication, support of user mobility, the level of use of new multimedia technologies, and support for the improvement of ICT skills.

The Slovak Library of Forestry and Wood Sciences built and made available its own databases – the Document Database (books, articles, periodicals), the Publication Activity Evidence Database, and the Authorities Database, made available external electronic information sources and provided temporary free access to electronic information sources. The Library and information system Advanced Rapid Library had the possibility to supplement its functionality so that the Slovak Library of Forestry and Wood Sciences provided the TUZVO with services that significantly contributed to the improvement of its scientific and teaching activities.

In the evaluated period from 2008 to 2011, the TUZVO activity was significantly influenced by the results of the annual critical review of the fulfilment of the Long-Term Plan for the years 2003 – 2010 and its updating with the application of the results of the University evaluation according to the EUA methodology in 2007, which only highlighted the critical view of shortcomings known also from domestic procedures. The analyses carried out as part of the comprehensive accreditation completed in 2009 brought a lot of suggestions, but also pointed out problems and shortcomings. Another source of lessons learned during this period was the results of the evaluation of processes and quality management according to the CAF model as part of a project organised by the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic in 2009. On our own initiative, we also evaluated the results of the first closed cycle of bachelor’s and master’s studies at the University, or the analysis and design of a new foreign language teaching system at the University.

Human resource management was aimed at stabilising employees, preferably teachers and researchers, along with increasing the qualification level of employees. Consistency was created between the number of jobs and the number and structure of workers so that each systemized job position was occupied by a professionally competent, qualified employee in compliance with the relevant legal regulations in the field of employment of people and human rights.

The total number of TUZVO employees fell from 819 in 2001 to 736 in 2011 over a period of ten years, i.e., by 83 employees. The reduction in the number of employees, especially in the last five years, was mainly a consequence of the restrictive measures resulting from the economic conditions of the TUZVO. At the end of the evaluated period, the number of teachers was 280, in ten years their number decreased by 16. The number of researchers was approximately at the same level for many years – 72 employees, i.e., did not decrease, due to the ever-increasing expansion of the practice of hiring researchers to solve specific projects.

In the field of qualification growth, there were significant differences in the number of people who obtained the academic title of professor and associate professor. While 19 teachers were awarded the title of professor in the years 2004 – 2007, in the period between 2008 – 2011 there were only four teachers. The same number, nineteen teachers, were awarded the academic title of associate professor in both periods.

On the other hand, a clearly positive development could be observed in the field of teachers – assistant professors with the scientific rank of PhD. compared to teachers without academic rank. While in 2005, there were 70 assistant professors with a scientific rank, compared to 102 assistant professors without a scientific rank, in 2010 there were already 119 assistant professors with a scientific rank, compared to 45 assistant professors without a scientific rank. Such a trend corresponded to the personnel policy in the employment of graduates of the 3rd degree of university studies. This was an assumption for their scientific, teaching and publishing activities and further qualification growth at TUZVO workplaces. The average age of professors and associate professors, as well as their number, was the most critical for The Faculty of Environmental and Manufacturing Technology and the Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Studies.

Plans were being prepared at the faculties to ensure the continuity of study programme guarantees, as the number of study programmes with restrictions on granted rights to their implementation due to the guarantor’s age was growing. Some guarantees were difficult due to the cooperation of professors and associate professors with other universities. There was a similar problem in the granted rights to carry out habilitation and appointment proceedings.

Economy

The first part of the evaluated period, i.e., the years 2002 – 2006, was a period of significant legislative changes in the higher education environment, also in terms of economy, which significantly influenced the teaching, scientific, research as well as economic activities of universities.

According to the new law, universities were transformed from budgetary organisations to public institutions. Their financing was suddenly more resource-based, even though the main source was still usually the subsidy provided by the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic. However, the subsidy was provided following the performance parameters, which included the number of students, the finances from domestic and foreign grants, the quality of publication activity, etc. Other sources of finances, mainly through domestic and foreign grants, projects, programmes, and funds, amounted to 10-15% of the subsidy at the TUZVO during this period. Due to its personnel and technological equipment, TUZVO had a reasonable position among other universities in Slovakia in obtaining these resources.

The property settlement in favour of the TUZVO with the subsequent financing of its reconstruction was another significant change resulting from the Law on Higher Education. Enthusiasm for the transfer of the property that the TUZVO had under its management to its ownership quickly gave way to problems arising from the legal obligation to depreciate it and create a reproduction fund for its reconstruction. This new fact significantly affected the previous management results when the management of the TUZVO resulted in a loss in 2002 – 2004.

The change in the approach to the financing of the TUZVO and the adoption of several austerity measures in the next two years of management resulted in the liquidation of the loss and profit in 2005 and 2006. Despite the uneven economic results in the five years under review, several tens of millions of crowns were reinvested in the reconstruction and modernization of the property. Of the larger investment actions that took place between 2002 and 2006, it is necessary to mention the reconstruction of the heating of the TUZVO objects worth 12.1 million SKK, reconstruction of the TUZVO buildings – student dormitory and lecture halls in the value of 6.1 million SKK or reconstruction of the greenhouse, construction of social facilities and fencing in the Arboretum Borová Hora in the value of 2.7 million SKK, construction of laboratories in Developmental Workshops and Laboratories worth 14.5 million SKK, reconstruction of the roof of the student dormitory after the fire in the value of 1.2 million SKK, reconstruction of the gymnasium and water supply in the value of 1.1 million SKK.

Therefore, the permanent reversal of the tendency of negative economic results, which the TUZVO struggled with until 2004 can be considered the most important positive change. The assessment of long-term management results and the analysis of subsidised and non-subsidised sources of financing showed the need to increase the non-subsidised sources. The material and technical conditions for ensuring the main activity were significantly improved by extensive reconstructions of the main objects of the TUZVO and the modernization of information and communication technology.

As we have already stated, the end of the first decade of the 21st century was significantly affected by the global economic crisis. The participation of the TUZVO in drawing funds from EU structural funds can also be considered one of the most important characteristics of this period. In addition to the direct economic impact, the strategic impact on increasing the quality of the TUZVO infrastructure must be emphasised, thereby creating the prerequisites for further development. It is positive that we got involved in several operational programmes – especially Research and Development, Education, but also the Rural Development Programme and the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme, both in the position of applicant and partner. Several faculties, as well as other parts of the University, especially the University Forest Enterprise and the Centre for Continuing Education, were involved in the drawing.

In 2008, the renovated premises of the Slovak Library of Forestry and Wood Sciences were opened. The TUZVO invested more than 1 million EUR to improve the equipment and functionality. The investment resulted in the improvement and acceleration of services for students and employees of the TUZVO, but also for the public, especially small and medium-sized entrepreneurs in the field of forestry, wood-processing industry, and environment and environmental protection. Access to the world information databases has been improved, accelerated, and facilitated.

At the end of 2010, we completed the first stage of the TUZVO building reconstruction project with a focus on building ICT and technical evaluation of the buildings. At the beginning of 2011, we successfully concluded the substantive implementation of II stages of the project, while the total funds used for these stages represent approximately 6.5 mil. EUR. Construction works culminated in the III stage of the project with a budget of more than 4 mil. EUR. As part of it, in addition to the reconstruction of the buildings of the Developmental Workshops and Laboratories, the construction of a hall of scientific and experimental workplaces with several modern laboratories was also planned. It was, among other things, a virtual reality workplace, at that time the only one in Slovakia focused on modelling and advanced visualization of various processes in the natural environment.

A great project implemented at the TUZVO was the demand-oriented project Reconstruction of TUZVO objects with a focus on building information and communication technologies and technical evaluation of objects with a budget of 11,296,602.87 EUR. Modern high-performance structured cabling was built in all main TUZVO objects and a high-speed network connection between TUZVO objects was implemented. 55 classrooms and 36 TUZVO laboratories and 11 large-capacity lecture halls were modernised; a total of 85 analog video signal projection and control systems were installed supplemented by 11 interactive whiteboards in the lecture halls. This way, the most modern technical conditions for a teaching process were created. The Student Congress Centre and two video conference rooms were also built.

Despite the terrible external and internal economic conditions, we were also successful in financing and investments. During the entire evaluated period, the University achieved a positive economic result every year. The individual bodies of the executive and the academic self-government passed with their approval the innovative methodology of dividing the subsidy and creating the budget, thus we successfully completed several years of relatively complicated development. The adopted solution consistently applied the approaches of the Ministry of education and Sport of the Slovak Republic to the evaluation of universities and the allocation of resources, took into account the internal specific features of the TUZVO, including more objective determination and mutual accounting of performances in the education, and balance of merit and solidarity between workplaces.

For the future development of the TUZVO, investments in the reconstruction of buildings were of particular importance. Even in 2011, despite the general tendency to reduce investments, we completed the renovation of the gymnasium for 100,000 EUR, the renovation of the Arboretum buildings – 80,000 EUR, and during the holidays the renovation of the Student Canteen in the amount for another 55,000 EUR. The work on the main building, with the investment of almost half a million EUR in roof reconstruction and insulation, was also started.