The Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland (CRASP) was formed by Polish institutions of higher education which had the right to award the doctor’s degree (or equivalent) in at least one scientific discipline. CRASP is the representative body of academic schools. The Conference was founded on 7 June 1997 by rectors of higher education institutions, being members of conferences of rectors of the various types of these institutions, namely universities, technical universities, institutions of agriculture, pedagogy, economics, medicine, and fine arts. Currently, CRASP has 107 members (including 11 non-public schools) and 9 institutions have the status of an associated institution. The Conference of Rectors of Public Vocational Schools (KRePSZ) has the status of an associated conference.
CRASP safeguards traditional academic values, including the constitutional principle of higher education institutions autonomy which guarantees the right of these institutions to present their positions on all issues of interest to the academic community. The Conference is governed by the Statutes adopted on 24 September 2005 and amended on 14 November 2005 and then on 13 October 2006 by the Plenary Assembly of CRASP. The main aims of CRASP are:
- to inspire and co-ordinate the co-operation of the academic schools in Poland;
- to undertake activities leading to an establishment of an integrated system of national education and to the development of the system of higher education;
- to represent the interests of higher education and science, and the common interests of its member schools, including the selection of their representatives to international associations of rectors or universities.
In pursuit of these aims, CRASP shall:
- act to enhance social support for the development of higher education and science in Poland;
- approach the Government and Parliament on key issues relating to the academic community;
- protect the principles of ethics, academic values, academic teacher ethos, and appropriate level of education;
- formulate and present opinions on matters important for the development of Polish science, culture and education;
- cooperate with collegial bodies, associations and corporations representing the Polish academic and scientific communities;
- cooperate with the Ministry of National Education and other ministries, authorities and organisations acting for the benefit of science and national education;
- act to enhance the quality of education;
- act to support subjectivity of students as well as flexibility and diversification of available forms of studies which result from the wealth of tradition of higher education institutions;
- act to support a balanced development of the system of higher education comprising of all types of higher education institutions,
- provide rectors of member institutions with information and guidance in the area of institution management.