Milos Lichner, former president of ESCT, is the new Rector of the University of Trnava The former dean of the theological faculty and current acting rector will continue to lead the University of Trnava for the next four years. Miloš Lichner was elected today by the electoral assembly with 34 votes. A supermajority of 27 votes from all members of the academic senate and the administrative board was required for election. His term as rector will last until 2028.
Professor Miloš Lichner aims to prepare a new Development Concept for the University of Trnava, collaborate with consortia, build an auditorium and congress center, and strengthen the network of international partners. He will also support the creation of professionally oriented study programs based on practical needs. His intention is to expand lifelong learning opportunities and gradually digitize teaching and administration.
“Emphasis on intellectual freedom in research and teaching, university autonomy, and increasing internationalization are key for the university. Through these efforts, I hope to contribute to shaping the personality of a cultured, critically thinking, and independent individual,” said the candidate for rector, Prof. Miloš Lichner. He will assume the position after being appointed by the President of the Slovak Republic on the recommendation of the Minister of Education.
Prof. Miloš Lichner has been teaching at the University of Trnava since 2005. He works in the Department of Systematic Theology. From 2011 to 2019, he served two terms as dean of the theological faculty. From 2019 to 2023, he was the vice-rector of the University of Trnava for external relations, and in 2024 he was entrusted with the role of acting rector. He was first vice-president (2017–2019) and later president (2019–2021) of the European Society for Catholic Theology.
He is an expert in patristic, spiritual, and dogmatic theology. He also actively promotes theology and his alma mater on social media. He popularized the work of St. Augustine with the publication of a book of quotes, We Are Beautiful When We Love (2023), and its planned sequel We Are Free When We Love (2024).