Competency-Based Professional Development of Academic Staff

The monograph explores the education and professional development of academic staff in higher education institutions. It addresses how universities adapt to changing conditions and emphasizes the need for a systematic approach to developing both scientific and pedagogical competencies. Particular attention is given to supporting doctoral candidates, early-career researchers, and academic leaders through continuing education, mentoring, coaching, and supervision. The text highlights the fragmented nature of current development initiatives, their dependence on project-based funding, and the pressing need to establish a unified, sustainable system with regularly updated competency models. The monograph includes a case study of a Czech university that designed targeted educational programs based on an in-depth needs analysis. Investing in staff development is identified as a key factor in ensuring the quality and competitiveness of higher education institutions.