University of Hradec Králové (in Czech Univerzita Hradec Králové, in Latin Universitas Reginaegradecensis) was founded on June 21, 2000 by renaming the University College of Education (Vysoká škola pedagogická), which itself traces its roots back to 1959. It is attended by around 8,500 students. It belongs to one of the most important education and research institutions in the Eastern Bohemia. The current rector of the university is doc. RNDr. Josef Hynek, MBA, Ph.D. Training of future teachers in Hradec Králové has a long tradition and dates back to 1775. In 1959 Institute of Education (Pedagogický institut) was established which prepared students to a teaching at both levels of elementary school. In August 1964 a separate Faculty of Education (Pedagogická fakulta) originated by merging the Institute of Education in Hradec Králové and in Pardubice. Students' training for all education level was enabled only after 1976 by a higher-education reform. After the Velvet revolution some former staff from 1960's returned to the faculty and an international cooperation with other universities has been established.