(This content has been translated automatically.)

 

Dear students, 

 

welcome to the first UP Newsletter of 2026. Over the past month, a lot has happened – winter has begun, the streets of our university town have been covered in snow several times, the Zbrojnice/Armoury was lit up by the Bethlehem Light and three kings on horseback stopped in the courtyard of the Rector’s Office.

Just a few lines below, you will find out what is coming up next and what you should not miss. We bring several important operational updates, opportunities for personal development, invitations, and, of course, competitions with rewards.

At the same time, we wish you every success in your exams or state finals and remind you that until 9 February you can evaluate courses in the winter semester.

WHAT’S GOING ON AT UP

Briefly from the UP Management meeting

At recent management meetings, there was discussion, for example, about the preparation of a new UP Statute. The aim of the new document is not only to ensure compliance with the recently adopted amendment to the Higher Education Act, but also to make it easier to read, more transparent and to streamline processes at UP. From the 2026/27 academic year, UP will start issuing gender‑neutral diplomas. Read the full summary (in Czech) (after logging into the UP Portal). More detailed information will subsequently be available in the minutes of the management meetings in UPShare, as well as in the minutes of meetings of other bodies, in UP regulations and documents and on other information platforms.

The login screen for university systems is changing

In the week starting 19 January 2026, the login method to STAG, the UP Portal and other university systems connected to the single sign‑on system will change. The appearance of the login screen will change, but the username and password will remain the same. On the first screen displayed, the user enters the login name (the so‑called short PortalID, not the full email address) and newly adds @upol.cz after it; on the next screen, they then enter their current password. You can find details including images on the website.

Important reminders for students

To FreshUP+ for lunch, a snack, or dinner – Monday to Thursday

Visit the FreshUP+ bistro located in the former canteen on the Josef Jařab Dormitory. It offers the classic range known from other FreshUP bistros – fresh pastries, salads, sandwiches and desserts – as well as freshly prepared short‑order meals, pizza, pasta and various seasonal dishes. From January, its opening hours have been adjusted: Monday–Thursday, 12:00–19:30.

 

The current weekly menu broken down by day is always available on the SKM website and now also directly in the MobilKredit mobile app as one of the canteens (only the offer is displayed there – ordering is not possible; orders and payments are always made on site). Staff and students benefit from special reduced prices.

News from Aurora: new partner and course and mobility offers

The European university network Aurora has a new global partner – Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. In November, academics and students from across Europe met in Olomouc for two courses focused on sustainability. For UP students and staff, various opportunities are currently available for short‑term and semester‑long mobilities as well as online courses in open and citizen science. What else does Aurora do and what can it offer you? You can find out in the latest issue of the Aurora newsletter at UP.

STUDY ABROAD

Apply for a Fulbright scholarship for postgraduate study by the end of January 2026

The scholarship is intended for study or research at Master’s or Ph.D. level in the United States in all fields except clinical medicine and MBA or LLM programmes. Scholarships are currently offered for a visiting research stay (visiting research student) to work on an independent research project, e.g. a dissertation. The application deadline is 1 February 2026. (in Czech)

Design the future of cities: apply for a workshop in Naples

Do you want to help tackle real urban sustainability challenges? Are you interested in circular economy, land regeneration and innovative approaches to planning and design? Then the international spring workshop CIRCLE – Circular Infrastructures for Regenerative Cities and Local Ecosystems is just for you. In April 2026, students and academic staff from Aurora alliance universities will meet in Naples to jointly design concrete solutions for sustainable and circular urban transformation. Apply by 26 January and join them!

Would you like to go abroad for a longer period? Go on a semester mobility to one of the Aurora universities – applications are open until the end of January.

INVITATIONS

UP Academic Week: 80 years since the restoration of the university 

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the restoration of the Olomouc university after the Second World War, which took place through the adoption of a special law on 21 February 1946. Between 1860 and 1939, only the Faculty of Theology operated in Olomouc, and Czech universities were subsequently closed by the occupation administration of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.

During the UP Academic Week (from 16 to 22 February), we will commemorate this anniversary, for example, with the Rector's Award Ceremony for the year 2025, the UP Representative Ball or a special university edition of the Pub Quiz. There will also be discounted or free admission to museums, Coffee Monday and the “Donate Blood with the Rector” challenge. As every year, the bells of Olomouc churches will mark this memorable moment. The detailed programme is available at akademickytyden.upol.cz.

NEW STANDARDS

All UP standards, including the ineffective ones, divided by UP units, with the possibility of filtering and searching in them can be found by students and employees of UP after logging in to files.upol.cz.

COMPETITIONS

Win tickets to the UP Representative Ball

On Friday 20 February, you can look forward to this year’s UP Representative Ball (in Czech), which this time will be held in swing rhythms. You can enjoy the Olomouc big band New Street Orchestra, host and singer Erika Stárková, the cimbalom band Ohnica and DJs Swing Thing and Papa Django (Malalata). The ticket price also includes a generous buffet and a raffle with prizes worth almost two hundred thousand crowns! But thanks to our competition, you have the chance to go to the ball completely free of charge. Just send the correct answer to the competition question to soutez@upol.cz by Tuesday 20 January and the ticket could be yours. Question: Where will this year’s UP Representative Ball take place? Subject line: “Ples”.

Get free entry to the half marathon 

On Saturday 13 June, Olomouc will turn into one big running arena. The largest half marathon in Moravia – the Mattoni 1/2Maraton Olomouc – will take place right in the streets of the city. Besides the fact that Palacký University is once again a proud partner of the event, you can test your strength against other students and staff in the 5 km race and compete for the UP Rector’s Cup (in Czech). And if you are tempted by the main race, there is also a way to get a free registration! Simply send the correct answer to the competition question to soutez@upol.cz by Wednesday 20 January. Question: What is the name of the women’s winner of the UP Rector’s Cup in the 2025 Olomouc half marathon? Subject line: “Půlmaraton”.

Compete for a fitness voucher

Finally, a quick competition for vouchers for a single entry to the Omega fitness centre. Each selected winner will receive one voucher, which, however, is only valid until 31 January! Send your answer to the question: Where will the Rector's Award Ceremony for the year 2025, which is part of the UP Academic Week, take place? to soutez@upol.cz by 20 January. Subject line: “Omega”.​