Nominate candidates for the UP Academic Senate

After almost three years, the academic community of Palacký University will elect its university senators. From 3 to 19 February 2026, students and academics can nominate new or returning members of the Academic Senate of Palacký University for any of the faculties. The elections to this key university body will take place online in mid‑March. All further details can be found in this news item and on the website upol.cz/volby.

The first university wide ombudsman of UP is Jaroslav Šotola

Palacký University’s first university‑wide ombudsman will assume office in February. Following a successful selection procedure, Jaroslav Šotola has been appointed to the role; he has many years of experience from the Faculty of Arts and is also the chairman of the School Ombuds Platform. He will protect the rights of all students and employees of the university. We will provide more information in the coming days. The current situation remains that some faculties still have their own ombudswomen and ombudsmen.

Only 13% of employees at UP have described their working conditions. The Ministry has extended the survey

The questionnaire, which explores whether UP employees are able to balance their work and personal lives, have sufficient opportunities for career development, or have experienced workplace discrimination, has so far been completed by only about 500 university staff members.

To gain a more detailed overview of the working conditions of academic staff, researchers, and other employees, the Ministry of Labour needs a more representative sample. For this reason, the survey has been extended until 28 February.

The university’s HR department is encouraging all staff to take part in the survey by completing the questionnaire and helping to improve the working environment at UP.

Read the new issue of the UP Project Service bulletin

The UP Project Service publishes an electronic monthly newsletter with information about new opportunities and calls for submitting projects. The January issue comes in a new format – with clearer organization and new sections. The flagship call HE Twinning has opened, and attention is also paid to Czech Science Foundation (GA ČR) competitions supporting scientific independence or a return after a career break. The February grant calendar is also included. Watch what is being prepared and make use of the opportunities for developing your projects. You can find the current issue on the UP Project Service website. (in Czech)

The PS UP also invites you to the public defence of the final reports of the 3rd round of UP Junior Grants (in Czech). It will take place on 24 February from 1 p.m. within the meeting of the UP Grant Board. You need to register in advance.

ACTIONS

A pint that can save a human life

What could be better than starting the UP Academic Week with a good deed? It will again be possible to donate blood free of charge and thereby improve statistics at the transfusion department during the week‑long action Donate blood with Palacký University (in Czech), whose 17th edition starts on Monday, 16 February. Interested people can register by 10 February via the registration form; both first‑time and regular donors from faculties, the Rectorate, and other university workplaces are welcome.

SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

Get support from the university’s open access fund

Last year, 17 articles were supported from the open access fund, with authors from eight parts of the university. The published articles are gradually appearing in a special collection in our institutional repository. In the current year, corresponding authors affiliated with UP who do not have other financial resources to cover article processing charges (APCs) – for example from OP JAK projects – may again apply for reimbursement of these charges. Outputs published in the top‑rated journals indexed in Web of Science are supported. According to updated rules, it is no longer possible to request support for articles published in journals issued by MDPI. Detailed information about the fund and the application form can be found on the library website.

INVITATIONS

Come support your colleagues at the Rector’s Awards ceremony

Within the framework of the UP Academic Week, we cordially invite all students and employees of Palacký University to the ceremonial presentation of the Rector’s Awards (in Czech) for 2025. Reserve a free seat at Metropol cinema and come on 17 February to support your colleagues and fellow students who will be recognised for their outstanding theses, sports achievements, works on sustainability, professional articles, or books. For the very first time, the ceremony will also include the Rector’s Award for popularisation of science and communication with the public, as well as special awards for non‑academic staff.

The Representative Ball of Palacký University invites you to swing, acrobatics and folklore

A rich and varied programme also promises this year’s edition of the Representative Ball of UP, which will take place on Friday, 20 February 2026, from 7 p.m. at the NH Collection Olomouc Congress hotel. The evening, in the spirit of swing, will feature live music by the big band New Street Band, sets by the electro‑swinging project Swing Thing & Papa Django, performances by Olomoucká akrosféra, dance workshops, a rich buffet, and a tombola. The Ball will be hosted by actress and singer Erika Stárková. More information about the Ball and tickets at ples.upol.cz.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

On Tuesday, 10 February, from 5 p.m., you are cordially invited to Pevnost Poznání for a panel discussion with foreign female researchers from UP. Come and learn how plants more resistant to stress are cultivated, what it is like to draw historical comics, or how a new legal framework for post‑war Ukraine is being prepared. Themes concerning the position of women in science will not be missing either. Childcare will be provided on site, and the debate will be interpreted from English into Czech. Admission is free and no registration is necessary.

On Wednesday, 11 February, from 9 a.m., the traditional Breakfast with Science (in Czech) will take place in the Student Club at Zbrojnice. This year the topic will be “Obstacles facing young female researchers – inequalities, stereotypes and paths to supporting talent and diversity”. The aim of Breakfast with Science is not only to name these problems, but also to share examples of good practice and jointly look for ways to create a supportive environment. The guest of the breakfast will be Blanka Collis from the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Reserve a place and come along!

SCIENTIFIC GOULASH: Taste science at the Faculty of Theology and enjoy a goulash!

The Sts Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theology of Palacký University invites all interested members of the university community and the general public on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, to the premiere of the Scientific Goulash (in Czech). During the morning, doctoral students and academics from the departments and institutes of the CMTF UP will present their “scientific stand‑ups”. The rich programme (in Czech) will be rounded off by an interactive workshop on the theme of prejudices and stereotypes and a “Career Goulash” brimming with useful advice and tips for students.

A public afternoon lecture, When God Is Absolutely Missing for Everyone, will be prepared by Marek Orko Vácha. It will take place in the main hall from 3:30 p.m. Participation is free and listeners are accepted until the room is full. During the whole‑day scientific “menu”, you can refresh yourself with an excellent goulash.

AFOKINO: André Is an Idiot

We invite you to this year’s first AFOKINO screening, taking place on Tuesday, 17 February, from 8 p.m. at Metropol cinema. In an exclusive pre‑release, we will show the documentary André Is an Idiot, “the funniest documentary about death and dying ever made.” A bold, witty, and creative look at the transience of human existence reveals the process of treatment and reconciliation with a terminal‑stage cancer diagnosis. The story is so authentic that we could not possibly have invented it. The screening will be held within the UP Academic Week and admission is free, without the need to book a seat.

COMPETITION

Compete for a voucher for “Quizzes at Home”!

During the UP Academic Week, you can look forward again to the popular Pub Quiz – university special, featuring both university‑related and Olomouc‑specific themes. And if you enjoy quizzes even outside a pub, you will be pleased that, in cooperation with the Pub Quiz, we are offering 2 vouchers worth 1,000 CZK – meaning two of you can win. “Quizzes at Home” are fun knowledge games that you can play online from the comfort of your own home with your family or friends.

Simply send your answer to the following question to soutez@upol.cz by Wednesday, 11 February: What is the name of the actress and singer who will host this year’s Representative Ball of Palacký University? Please write “Quizzes at Home” in the subject line of your email. Good luck – and we look forward to seeing you on Monday, 16 February, at the Pub Quiz during Academic Week!