Get to know the results of the UP Academic Senate elections

The twenty‑four names for membership in the Academic Senate of Palacký University from May 2026 to May 2029 are now known. UP students and academic staff selected their representatives in online elections in mid‑March, and overall voter turnout at UP was 20.05%. You can find the results in this article and in more detail on the elections website.

Aurora Newsletter: Science, Innovation, and New Opportunities for Collaboration

The European university alliance Aurora brings more inspiring updates across education and research. The latest newsletter issue highlights topics such as the role of women in science across disciplines, a meeting of Aurora communication experts in Olomouc focused on storytelling and sustainable communication, and the establishment of nine international Communities of Practice. It also features innovative teaching through the LOUIS tool and invites applications to the third open call for international research and education. Discover what opportunities Aurora currently offers to you.

CHALLENGES

Six Months of Movement: a new university challenge for a more active lifestyle

(Almost) every day starts with a trip to the university – and that is exactly what you can try to change. Join the new university challenge, which will support you in finding simpler, healthier and more active ways of getting to work or to school. Walking, bikes, scooters and public transport all count – in short, every journey without a car. The challenge will run from April to September, every month you can look forward to a small themed challenge and there will also be bike rides and other joint events. Join us: you can find more on the Sustainable University website.

Open your mouth to the whole world and give life!

Open your mouth to the whole world. Give life. Under this slogan, a recruitment campaign of the Czech Registry of Hematopoietic Cell Donors at IKEM to support hematopoietic cell donation will again take place on Thursday 26 March in front of the UP Faculty of Law building. The face of the campaign is Rector Michael Kohajda. Come and sign up between 8:30 and 15:30 and you may one day save someone’s life – the basic criteria are: registration with any Czech health insurance company, age up to 40, perfect health, no health problems and no long‑term medication, and a body weight over 50 kg.

Do you do sport at the top level? The University Sports Centre offers support

Elite female and male athletes among the students can apply for the selection procedure of the UNIS project of the VICTORIA University Sports Centre at UP, within which they can make use of comprehensive support in the area of studies and in specific areas of sports training such as sports psychology, stress testing or physiotherapy. Those interested can find more detailed information and the application form at vscup.upol.cz (in Czech).

We are looking for student talents for the Majáles handmade zone

Do you make something at home that you want to show off to the world? Do you create art, stationery or products from recycled materials? Do you make ceramics, print on 3D printers or do creative workshops? For the Majáles handmade zone at Letňák, we are looking for DIY creators who want to show what they can do! Just write us an e-mail marie.rabasova01@upol.cz what you do and why we should give space to you. More on www.olomouckymajales.cz.

COURSES AND CONFERENCES

Agility in the Modern World of Work

Join us during UP Career Day, organized in cooperation with the Career Centre, for an interactive workshop with Scrum Master Kateřina Špundová. Discover how agility can help you adapt to change, develop key skills for the future, and apply practical tools to your studies and career. This hands-on session will offer practical insights you can start using right away.

The workshop will take place on 8 April at 13:30 in the Welcome Office, Vodární 6, room 1.04. Please register in advance.

From Studies to Work

Join us also for a practical Job Hunt Workshop designed especially for international students. This interactive session will guide you through the key steps of finding employment in the Czech Republic, from preparing a strong CV and cover letter to understanding job search strategies, employment contracts, and work eligibility. You will also gain useful insights into residence permits and options for staying and working in the country after graduation.

The workshop will take place on 8 April 2026 from 15:30 in the Welcome Office, room 1.04 (Vodární 6). Participation is free, but registration is required.

Metamorphosis: a conference on science popularisation

Do you want to be able to present science so that people really understand it – and enjoy it at the same time? At the Metamorphosis conference (in Czech), held under the umbrella of the Researcher’s Night, you can look forward to two days packed with inspiring lectures, practical workshops, sharing of experience and networking with experts from the Czech Republic and abroad. You will learn how to communicate complex topics effectively and clearly, how to work with audiences, the media and digital tools, and how to build trust in science in society.
The event is intended for researchers, doctoral candidates and students, communication and marketing staff, science popularisers, teachers and everyone who wants to present scientific topics to a wider public in a modern and attractive way.

ICOK Startup Academy

Do you want a flying start for your startup? Take advantage of this year’s offer from the Olomouc Region Innovation Centre! Apply with your project by this Friday 27 March. If you are among those selected, you can look forward to a hefty dose of valuable know‑how and contacts with investors as well as experienced figures from the business community. Details and the application form are on the website. (in Czech)

INVITATIONS

Celebrate Czech Easter Traditions with Us!

We warmly invite the entire university community to join us for a delightful cultural event celebrating the charm and richness of Czech Easter traditions. Come and discover unique customs that have been passed down through generations. Learn about the art of decorating traditional Easter eggs (kraslice) and explore the playful tradition of pomlázka, where beautifully braided willow switches symbolize good health, vitality, and the arrival of spring.

Guests will be able to enjoy a selection of traditional Czech Easter treats, including sweet pastries and savory specialties. The event will also feature music, craft stations, and opportunities to try some of the most beloved Czech holiday activities yourself. More information here.

Save the date: UP Sports Day

Get your body moving, recharge your batteries and enjoy a day full of physical activity – the Sports Day of Palacký University returns on Wednesday 13 May 2026! It will offer plenty of indoor and outdoor sports and movement activities for groups and individuals. New features of this year’s edition include a university‑wide dragon boat race and the Olomouc bike ride. Rector’s day off is usually announced for Sports Day, and all physical activities within Sports Day are free of charge for UP staff and students. The programme will gradually appear on the website.

UP Majáles will fill the Letňák Summer Cinema with music

The Olomouc Majáles of Palacký University will for the first time move to the grounds of the open‑air cinema, where it will offer a two‑day programme full of music, culture and student life. Visitors can look forward to concerts by bands such as Vypsaná fiXa, Slavíček or ATMO Music, complemented by theatre, slam poetry, workshops and presentations by student and non‑profit organisations. There will also be the traditional coronation of the Majáles king or queen. Come and enjoy a unique atmosphere, meet inspiring people and experience the university a little differently. Follow olomouckymajales.cz (in Czech), IG or FB.

Repulsive or magical: Who will survive?

On the last weekend of March (28 and 29 March), the Fort Science will host encounters with creatures that inspire both respect and admiration. You can look forward to live animals, unique collections, science curiosities and playful workshops for children. You will, for example, meet the largest and rarest snake in the Czech Republic – the Aesculapian snake, discover the only naturally occurring turtle in Central Europe – the European pond turtle, and find out why the pearl lizard is the largest European lizard. Come and discover who is able to survive in nature as well as in space – you can find the full programme on the Fort Science website. (in Czech)

Exhibition in the botanical garden: the world under an electron microscope

From April, the Botanical Garden of the UP Faculty of Science (in Czech) will open its gates. Come and discover the delicate beauty of spring bulbs, sit by the pond under the only memorial tree (in Czech) on UP grounds and find out how intensely the most fragrant honeysuckle smells. Until 17 April 2026 you can also visit the Structures of the Micro‑World (in Czech) exhibition in the Josef Otruba Hall, which presents detailed forms of cells and fine plant structures.

COMPETITIONS

Flash competition for free tickets to the “Repulsive or magical” event

For this weekend already (28–29 March), the Fort Science is preparing the event “Repulsive or magical” and you can win tickets for two people. The question is: Which animal appears on the event poster? Send your answers by Thursday 26 March 23:59 (!) to the email soutez@upol.cz; on Friday morning we will draw the winner. Write "Pevnost poznani" in the subject.

Win a voucher for Bohemsca

In cooperation with the BOHEMSCA brand, we have prepared a competition for you for a gift voucher worth CZK 2,000 for purchases in the Bohemsca e‑shop. BOHEMSCA offers, for example, lemonades, tonics, kombucha, vitamin water or energy drinks. How to take part? Just send us by Wednesday 1 April an email to soutez@upol.cz with the answer to the question: Which Bohemsca product do you like best and why? Do not forget to include “Bohemsca” in the subject line of the email.

Competition for tickets to Colours of Ostrava

We have prepared a competition for you for 2 tickets to the Colours of Ostrava festival. Tickets are non‑transferable. How to take part? Just send us by Wednesday 1 April an email to soutez@upol.cz with the answer to the question: What is the name of the festival organised by the organisers of Colours of Ostrava, which will take place in Ostrava on 26–27 June? Do not forget to include “Colours of Ostrava” in the subject line of the email. We will draw the winner from the correct answers.

Compete for two tickets to the APA Carnival

Spanish and Mexican specialities, piñatas, a henna stall, the band Fantajm, performances by the Bílá holubice dance group and the crowning of the king and queen are all promised in the programme of the APA Carnival, which, organised by students of the Department of Adapted Physical Activities of the UP Faculty of Physical Culture, will take over the BEA Centre Olomouc on Friday 10 April. With a bit of luck, you can enjoy this colourful evening for just one message. Simply write to the event’s Instagram or Facebook by Thursday 2 April what costume you plan to wear, and two VIP tickets could be yours.

The university shop UPoint is looking for new designs for university stickers, greeting cards or even playing cards – and would most like to give UP students the chance to create them. Do you have creative energy and artistic talent? Show it off! Send us samples of your ideas. If they catch our attention, the UPoint team will get in touch with you to work on making them a reality! Just send your designs as previews or photos in lower resolution to upoint@upol.cz by 30 April.