Logging into the university email now requires confirmation by code or via an app

After the strengthening of passwords for logging into UP systems last year, the university is moving to another level of security. It is gradually introducing multi‑factor authentication, known, for example, from online banking. In addition to entering a username and password, users must now also confirm the login in a mobile app or by typing a code received via SMS. In the first phase the change will affect only employees and only when logging into their email accounts from networks outside UP. You can find details in the article on the website.

Reduced opening hours of bistros before holidays

The FreshUP bistros will have shortened opening hours on Thursdays 30 April and 7 May:

• Faculty of Science Envelopa, Faculty of Arts K10, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Law | 7:30–16:00
• Faculty of Science Holice, Faculty of Arts tř. Svobody | 7:30–14:00
• FreshUP+ | 12:00–16:00

The bistro at Faculty of Law will additionally be closed all day on 24 April and 21–22 May.

Register your children for summer camps with the university

Dance Kingdom, railway camp, a week in the saddle, majorettes, troubadours or a science camp and a summer optics school. UP offers children and youth the opportunity to spend their holidays actively. During July and August they can play sports, study, explore, and relax. In the rich offer of camps and summer schools (in Czech), parents will find options for children from age 3 up to secondary‑school students.

Czech for Foreigners: Language Courses for UP Employees

Palacký University Olomouc invites its employees to join the “Czech for Foreigners” language courses offered by the Faculty of Arts in the winter semester 2026/2027. The courses will run from 21 September to 18 December 2026 at the Language Centre (třída Svobody 26) and are open to all levels—from beginners to advanced learners. With small group sizes (10–14 participants), the program ensures an interactive learning environment. The course fee is 2,200 CZK for 13 sessions (90 minutes each), with possible support from departments. Registration is open until 30 June 2026 via email (pavla.polachova@upol.cz). See the PDF flyer.

New issue of the UP Project Service bulletin

The period of closing deadlines is past; new opportunities are here for junior researchers, doctoral students, and experienced academics. MSCA calls for postdoctoral fellowships have opened. Discover the latest news in COST actions or the new call Interreg CZ–PL. And how to deal with returning to science? A new series of workshops will help, focusing on balancing private and working life. You can find more in the current issue. (in Czech)

CALLS

Step on the pedals with the university and take up the calls

Spring is the ideal opportunity to get moving, try something new, and do something good for your health and the planet. By the end of April you can still join the nationwide spring campaign Do práce na kole (To Work by Bike) (in Czech) or the university’s half‑year challenge Šest měsíců v pohybu (Six Months in Motion).

And you do not even have to be a registered participant in the campaigns – you can join the shared cycling rides and other events, which are open to all interested people. The first will be this Saturday, 25 April, heading to the Edojarmark at Sluňákov; it will be followed the next day by a picnic in Čechovy sady, and on 13 May we will then have the big Olomouc cycling ride as part of UP’s Sports Day.

Your photos in a new book? Help us capture the story of UP and University Hospital

Did you know that the premises of Olomouc Hospital are celebrating 130 years this year and our university 80 years since its restoration? For these anniversaries, UP Publishing is preparing two beautiful books, and therefore it is looking for authentic and unofficial photographs (in Czech) from your student years at UP or from your working life at Fakultní nemocnice Olomouc. Do you have shots from hospital corridors that no longer exist? Have you found photos from wild student years, summer jobs, trips, or carnival events? Did you capture fleeting moments from the daily work of nurses and doctors? If so, help us put together the mosaic of our shared history. You can donate or lend your photos in physical or digital form. You can find all the details on the website. (in Czech)

Map life in Olomouc during the City Nature Challenge

Do you know how many species of plants and animals live around you? And how many of them you can discover during an ordinary walk? Join the worldwide natural‑science challenge City Nature Challenge (CNC), which Olomouc is joining for the first time this year. From 24 to 27 April photograph freely living organisms and share your observations via the iNaturalist platform. You can also go on guided excursions. More information can be found in the UP Journal article (in Czech) and on citynatureolomouc.cz.

INVITATIONS

On Tuesday AFO begins!

Let us seek a common language at the 61st edition of the AFO festival of popular‑science films. From 28 April to 3 May, Olomouc will come alive with hundreds of films, lectures, concerts, and virtual reality. The programme is for everyone who wants to better understand the world and each other. Admission is free – it is enough to secure accreditation on afo.cz.

Martin Hilský will present his translation of Milton’s Paradise Lost at UP

On the university we will again welcome Martin Hilský. The meeting with the renowned Shakespeare scholar and translator has been prepared by the British Centre of UP Library, the Department of English and American Studies at FF UP and the British Council. On Wednesday 29 April from 5 p.m. (in Czech) in the Aula of the Faculty of Arts (Křížkovského 10), he will present his recently published translation of John Milton’s famous poem Paradise Lost. Admission to the event is free.

SPORT

Sports Day UP: Registration opened!

In just three weeks, on Wednesday, May 13, the UP Sports Day awaits us. It offers all students and employees of the university participation in dozens of individual sports, team tournaments, races, walks or bike rides. Registration for all disciplines is open, do not hesitate to book your favorite sport or, on the contrary, try something new.

Just today, the Akademik Sport Centre UP has launched registrations, and you can also register for the university-wide chess tournament. It is now possible to sign up for the dragon boat race as an individual and be included in an open team called Noah's Ark. Another novelty is the performance of the well-known Olomouc musician and singer of the band No Barriers, Salih Hadžiabdić, at the evening Social Gathering to Conclude UP Sports Day at Envelopa.

UP Championships in Athletics

The UP Championships in Athletics will feature races as well as technical disciplines such as long jump or shot put, where athletes from across the university will compare their skills. Winners of individual events will receive medals and material prizes, while the very best will be awarded the Dean’s Prize of FTK UP. The traditional sports event will take place on Wednesday 6 May in the afternoon at the Olomouc athletics stadium. Detailed information and the option of online registration can be found here. (in Czech)

Inter faculty competition within the Běh pro Paměť národa run 

Every year we use the Běh pro Paměť národa (Run for the Memory of Nations) (in Czech) to remember those who persevered in difficult times and to remind ourselves that freedom and courage are not a given. This year’s edition (23 May) brings an additional inter‑faculty challenge: which faculty will run the most kilometres and raise the most money for a good cause? The most generous faculty will gain the unique opportunity to propose memorial figures whose life stories the organisation Paměť národa will record for future generations.

Students and employees of UP receive a 30% discount on the starting fee – just enter the code PARTNER30 when registering (in Czech). In the “Club” field you should always enter your home faculty plus the name of your team.

NEW REGULATIONS

• Accreditation and approval of study programmes and accreditation of habilitation procedures and professorial appointments at UP – Amendment No. 5
  This amendment to the internal regulation of UP, effective 21 April 2026, (in Czech) is intended for all UP employees involved in applications for permission to provide study programmes and includes adjustments in the procedure of the Pedagogue Committee of UP when assessing the intent of a study programme and in the procedure of the faculty academic senate in applications for prolongation of the validity of permission to provide a study programme.
  
  

• Repeal of outdated UP regulations
  This amendment to the internal regulation of UP, effective 22 April 2026, (in Czech) is intended for all UP employees and repeals outdated and no longer needed UP regulations.

   

• Protection of personal data at UP
  This amendment to the internal regulation of UP, effective 28 April 2026, (in Czech) is intended for all UP employees and sets out the principles and rules for the processing of personal data at UP.
  
  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

Podnikavá hlava: win prizes worth 230,000 CZK

Registrations for the Podnikavá hlava (Entrepreneurial Mind) competition are in full swing. Do you hesitate whether your idea has a chance to succeed? Come on 4 May to a workshop with Roman Mazalová and find out how to present your project to investors. Attendance at the workshop is free after prior registration. Do not miss the opportunity to win prizes worth 230,000 CZK and submit your idea by 11 May.

Competition for tickets to Letňák Olomouc

In cooperation with Letňák Olomouc we have prepared a competition for tickets to three selected events from its current programme – for the concert Renne Dang & Refew (21 May from 20:00), Dasha & Pajky Pajk Quintet (5 June from 19:00) and Štístko a Poupěnka… a kde je Poupěnka? (4 July from 17:30).

How to take part? Just send your answer to the following question by Wednesday 29 April to soutez@upol.cz: Which event from the current programme of Letňák Olomouc intrigued you most and why? You can find inspiration on the website of Letňák. In the email subject line, do not forget to state which event you are interested in. We will select three winners and each of them will receive two tickets for one of the listed events.

Competition for tickets to Divadelní Flora

In cooperation with Divadelní Flora theatre festival we have prepared a competition for tickets to selected festival performances: Tosca (17 May), Dance Is Not for Us (20 May) and Zlaté město (22 May). These productions are part of the programme of the 29th edition of Divadelní Flora, which takes place in Olomouc from 15 to 24 May 2026.

How to take part? Just send your answer to the following question by Wednesday 29 April to soutez@upol.cz: What is the motto of this year’s edition of Divadelní Flora? In the email subject line, do not forget to state which of the events you are interested in. From the correct answers we will draw three winners, each of whom will receive two tickets for the chosen event.