UP Ombudsman: everything you need to know 

Not sure how to handle a difficult situation? Dealing with something that is hard to talk about? You can now contact the university‑wide ombudsman, Jaroslav Šotola, who offers help and support to everyone who studies or works at UP. In this way, he complements and expands the existing ombudsman roles at several faculties. What can you turn to him with, how does he work, where is his office and how can you get in touch? You can find all this on the UP Žurnál article.

UPlikace gets a new design and an alumni module

The official mobile app of Palacký University, UPlikace, is getting a new version. At first glance, it offers a clearer and more modern look and an improved map of university buildings. A new feature is also a module for UP alumni, including an electronic version of the card. However, it is not only the appearance that has seen changes and improvements; the app has also been fundamentally redesigned “under the hood”.​
The update will automatically arrive on your phones with Android and iOS in the coming days – it is being rolled out to users gradually. You can read more about the new version in this article (in Czech).​

Apply for the Erasmus+ staff mobility selection procedure

Do you enjoy learning and gaining experience or inspiration from abroad? We would like to draw your attention to the ongoing selection procedure for staff mobilities within the Erasmus+ programme for the 2026/2027 academic year, both for academic staff (teaching stays) and non‑academic staff (training, staff week). More information is available on the website. (in Czech)

New issue of the UP Project Service bulletin

The beginning of the year is marked by new calls – GA ČR has already announced its own. In March, registration will open for preparatory workshops for ERC Starting and Consolidator Grant applicants. Those interested in Horizon Europe programmes will appreciate the spring series of workshops offered by TC Prague. Do not miss the results of MSCA PF 2025 with record interest and four grants for the CATRIN UP institute. You can find the PS UP bulletin on the web. (in Czech)

SURVEY

Do you read? Take part in the UP Press questionnaire

We live in a digital age. And that is reflected in the world of books and readers as well. But to what extent? Do you read electronically, or still on paper? What kinds of books do you prefer and where do you get them? And do you make your reading easier, for example by using artificial intelligence tools? Take part in the anonymous UP Press questionnaire and help us understand current reading habits and preferences in the university environment. The questionnaire will take you only a few minutes, and at the end you can download a free e‑book as a reward from a diverse list of freely available resources.

CHALLENGES

Bike to Work 2026: free registrations for the fastest

Cycling, riding a scooter, walking or jogging to work throughout May – in other words, commuting in an active and sustainable way – that is, in a nutshell, the Bike to Work (in Czech) challenge. Now is the perfect time to join in with the university and support both your own fitness and the development of infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. Thanks to the Sustainable University, an allocated number of free registrations is again available this year for UP students and staff. Participants can look forward not only to the nationwide competition, but also to an internal contest between faculties and other units of the university. There will also be plenty of prizes, discounts and benefits from partners. You can find more in the article (in Czech) and on the website (in Czech).

LECTURES AND COURSES

OSCO TALKS: Find out what Open Science looks like

Do you know what “OSCO TALKS” is? It is a series of informal debates on open science prepared by the Open Science Community Olomouc (OSCO) for doctoral students, as well as early‑career and experienced researchers. The second online meeting will take place on Tuesday 3 March from 2 p.m. and will focus on “RDM Survival Kit: Project Proposal”, or how to build a bulletproof project and not bury yourself under data right from the start. The topic will be presented by Tereza Motalová and Petra Vaculíková, who promise maximum honesty, practical tips from experience and plenty of space for questions. The event takes place on the Discord platform.

Go abroad with Aurora and develop your professional competences in an international environment

Apply for international stays and take part in inspiring programmes focusing on current challenges in higher education teaching and university management. Designed for both academic and non‑academic UP staff, the programmes combine online and in‑person components and take place at partner universities in the Netherlands, France and Spain. You can find details and registration on the aurora.upol.cz website.

Science Café: Michael Londesborough – Boron as the fuel of the future?

At a time when the world is urgently looking for clean, safe and affordable energy sources, nuclear fusion remains one of the greatest scientific promises. Among the many candidates vying for the role of fuel of the future, an unexpected player is now coming to the fore: the remarkable family of boranes. The UP Crowd association of students and friends of science has invited the well‑known scientist and science populariser Michael Londesborough, who will present the latest findings on 3 March at 6:30 p.m. at Křížkovského 2 (in Czech).

Summer Czech courses at better prices

Do you know someone who would like to start learning Czech? Or perhaps someone around you has already embarked on this thorny yet magical journey and would like to move further? The Summer School of Slavonic Studies of the UP Faculty of Arts, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and will offer an intensive Czech course for everyone from beginners to advanced students from 11 July to 9 August, provides UP students and staff with a discounted price. You can choose either a two‑week or a month‑long school, which, in addition to tuition, also includes trips, film screenings, a folklore evening and a sports afternoon. More details can be found in this PDF and on lsss.upol.cz.

Webinar on how to respond to an ageing workforce

How can you retain talents, know‑how and work ability, and respond to an ageing workforce? This introductory webinar on age management will give you basic orientation in this strategic area. You will see that age management is not “about working with people 55+” but concerns everyone – from doctoral students to professors. It will take place on 26 February from 1 p.m. via MS Teams, just join via this link.

INVITATIONS

UPportunities: Get inspired by stories of strong women

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, another alumni UPportunities event on the topic of Girl Power (in Czech) will take place – about the power of women who change the world around them. What does it mean to be a “strong woman” today? How can we succeed in a world that often has clear ideas about how we should look, behave or where we should be heading? We will seek answers to these questions on Wednesday 11 March 2026 from 6 p.m. at Coffee Library. Come and be inspired by the stories of alumnae and discover that strength can take many forms. Places are limited, so make sure to register for yours.

Debate “Cannabis Without Prejudice”

Are you interested in facts about cannabis, stripped of myths? Would you like to know what current scientific research looks like and what changes are being prepared in Czech legislation? In March, the gates of the UP Fort Science will open for the sixth time to a professional discussion that breaks taboos. Come on 11 March to the moderated debate “Cannabis Without Prejudice” (in Czech). This year’s edition will focus on key issues of destigmatisation and decriminalisation in the Czech Republic, present new findings from research at UP and at the National Institute of Mental Health, and analyse the phenomenon of so‑called psychomodulatory substances.

AFOKINO: Eduard Štorch, Mammoth Hunter

This documentary about a remarkable writer reveals to viewers some of the successes and failures on Štorch’s life journey and presents this man in contexts beyond literature alone. We will follow the trail of an underappreciated visionary, guided by his admirers and successors who continue his legacy to this day. The film by Josef Císařovský from 2022 (in Czech) (running time 55 minutes) will be presented by AFO in cooperation with the Research Library in Olomouc (VKOL) on Monday 2 March from 6:30 p.m. in the Red Church (Bezručova 3). Admission is free, you can reserve your seat on the library website (in Czech).

Yang Sheng Fa: The Art of Life

Come and take a moment to pause, relax, and care for yourself in the demanding academic environment. This gentle, movement-based workshop organized by the UP Welcome Office focuses on overall well-being, calming the mind, and restoring inner balance. Yang Sheng Fa combines simple techniques for working with the body and mind, helping to release tension, quiet the mind, and offering practical tips that you can easily incorporate into your daily life – both at work and at home.

The session will be led by experienced professional instructor Zdeněk Chmelka and will take place at the B. Václavka Gym, Šmeralova 8, on March 12, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The workshop is free of charge; registration is available here.

COMPETITION

Win taxi vouchers from Galmonez

In cooperation with the Galmonez Taxi company (which has long offered UP staff a 20% discount as a benefit), we have prepared a competition for 2 vouchers worth CZK 1,000 each. How to enter? Simply send us, by Wednesday 4 March, your answer to the question “How many different types of ties can you buy in the UPoint university shop?” to soutez@upol.cz. Do not forget to include “Galmonez taxi” in the subject line of the e‑mail.

You may have noticed our UPoint pop‑up stand in recent days – you could meet us at the Rector’s Awards ceremony, at the Representative Ball or at the Fischer Lecture. We are happy to bring a selection of university merchandise to other university events as well. If you are planning a conference, formal gathering, lecture or another event at the university and think that the presence of UPoint would be a good fit, let us know. If you are interested, do not hesitate to contact us at upoint@upol.cz.