Often overshadowed by other higher education behemouths in Europe like Germany, the Netherlands and France, central European universities still have high ambitions to be hubs for research that attract global talent. But competing with well-established systems nearby isn't the only challenge they face. Rising populism, brain drain and compartively low investment in innovation are often barriers to progress. 

Sara Custer speaks with THE's Europe reporter David Matthews as well as Jan Palmowski, secretary general of the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities, to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the region. Tim Sowula head of content and engagement for THE's World Summit Series also sits in to talk about the upcoming Research Excellence Summit in the Czech Republic.