Semester through the eyes of academic staff: share your experience

The end of the semester and the exam period offer an opportunity to evaluate the past period, during which academics and researchers, in addition to teaching and assessing study performance, also fulfill their research and administrative duties. This places high demands on work organization, resilience, and overall mental well-being.

How did you personally experience the past semester, how did you perceive your workload, and what would help you better manage demanding periods of the academic year? Let us know in the anonymous questionnaire by June 30. (in Czech)

News in the FreshUP bistros offer

You have probably already noticed that popular hot drinks—matcha latte, chai latte, and batch brew—have been added at the Faculty of Science. You can now also enjoy them at the Faculty of Arts branch and at FreshUP+. And if you regularly go for coffee or other hot drinks, don’t forget to collect stamps—every tenth hot drink is on us.

At all FreshUP bistros and FreshUP+, we are also expanding the assortment with Vilgain products from Aktin. You will now find protein drinks and bars, electrolytes, and cookies—an ideal snack between lectures or during the workday.

UP has a new online confidential mailbox – Confidential Reporting Platform

Have you encountered inappropriate or problematic behavior, do you need to confide in someone, or resolve something that is troubling you? You can now use the new online confidential mailbox, which uses the FaceUp platform. It is available to all UP students and staff and serves as a kind of gateway to the university ombudsperson or the faculty ombudspersons. If needed, a message can also be sent anonymously; however, the person handling it can still reply to such a message and continue anonymous communication without seeing your name or contact details. Details and a link to the web version and mobile app can be found on the website.

International Staff Meeting Day

Are you a newly arrived international staff member at Palacký University? Join us for the International Staff Meeting Day, a friendly and informal gathering designed for colleagues who joined the university within the last six months.

Meet representatives from HR, the Welcome Office, FAIR University, and the Ombudsperson Office, learn about available support services, connect with fellow international colleagues, and enjoy a guided tour of Olomouc.

Date: 4 June 2026 | Time: 1:00 PM | Venue: Rector’s Office, Křížkovského 8, Olomouc. More information and registration here.

SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

Junior Grant UP: for researchers up to 37 years old 

Do you want to establish a new research group or laboratory, or prepare for submitting an international project? The UP Junior Grant can help you with that. To be eligible for the competition, you need a Ph.D. degree, be no older than 37, and have international experience. More details can be found on the website; project proposals must be submitted by 22 June 2026 at 12:00.

Workshop: Scientific career in balance

Don’t miss the second workshop in the Return to Science series, which will focus on balancing everyday life and a scientific career. It is intended for academics returning from a career break who are looking for a way to fully re-enter professional life without giving up personal life and inner well-being. More details and registration can be found on the website (in Czech).

How does your brain work? Join mirror neuron research

Come and experience modern scientific research in the CO-LAB laboratory at the Faculty of Arts UP and help better understand how mirror neurons work. You will observe visual stimuli (images, videos) and listen to short stories while we record your brain activity using an EEG cap. The measurement is completely painless and safe. It takes approximately 60 minutes, and you will receive CZK 400 + a small mystery gift as a reward. More information can be found on the poster (in Czech). Choose a time slot and register in the calendar.

LECTURES AND COURSES

Seminar: Responsibilities of managers at UP

Are you interested in how to effectively manage a team within the UP environment? Sign up for a practical seminar focused on human resource management with an emphasis on the everyday reality of departments, faculties, and research teams. You will learn about the responsibilities of managers under the Labor Code and internal UP regulations, how to handle recruitment, onboarding, and employee evaluation, as well as how to resolve conflicts and support a safe working environment. The seminar will take place on Thursday, 28 May 2026, from 8:30 to 13:30 in the meeting room of the Faculty of Arts Dean’s Office (Křížkovského 10). Register via this link.

Week of marine lectures at UP

The Faculty of Science UP is celebrating 25 years of marine biology, and Pevnost poznání is, of course, part of it. Come dive beneath the surface of the world’s oceans through a series of popular science lectures (in Czech). You can still attend Thursday’s (21 May) lecture Whales, Dolphins, and Humans – Ecology and Conservation of Cetaceans with Evžen Tošenovský and Friday’s (22 May) How to Photograph Underwater and Not Drown – Technical Challenges of Scientific Photography with Petr Heker. Both start at 15:00, free entry.

INVITATIONS

Stop by and meet the university at events in the region and across the Czech Republic

In the coming months, UP will be visible at a number of events in Olomouc, the region, and beyond. You can meet it at the Run for Memory of the Nation in Smetana Gardens, the Science Fair in Prague, the Olomouc City Festival including the procession in honor of St. Paulina, or the Mattoni Running Festival Olomouc, which also includes the UP Rector’s Cup Run. It will also appear at the multi-genre festivals Olomouc (o)žije and Festival v ulicích in Ostrava, and for the first time at the Lavender Festival in Bezděkov near Olomouc with its Science & Relax zone. During the summer, you will also encounter UP at the Summer Wine Festival in Bezruč Gardens and at special editions of the UP Pub Quiz. Read more and add the events to your calendar! (in Czech)

See Lenka Nová at Reduta for half price

Take advantage of discounted admission to an exceptional musical experience at the Reduta hall in Olomouc. On Wednesday, 27 May at 7:00 PM, one of the most distinctive Czech singers, Lenka Nová, will perform. On her current Padedé tour, she celebrates 35 years on the Czech music scene. She will be accompanied by renowned pianist and composer Petr Malásek with his band. The guest of the evening will be Michal Malátný, frontman of Chinaski. You can purchase tickets with a 50% discount online via the GoOut portal using the code OLOMOUC50.

COMPETITION

Competition with Lavender's Farm

In cooperation with our partner, the Lavender Farm (Levandulový statek) Bezděkov near Olomouc, we have prepared a competition for vouchers for the "Trip to Bezděkov" experience package and a gift package of lavender products. In addition, this year's Lavender Festival, which will take place on July 5–6, 2026, will also feature UP. All you have to do is write to us on soutez@upol.cz by Wednesday 27 May  with the  answer to the question: Who will be the moderator of this year's Lavender Festival (Levandulový festival)? You can find the answer on the Lavender Farm website. Don't forget to include "Lavender Farm" in the subject line of the email.

UPoint announces changes in logistics related to orders in intra-trade

During June and the summer holidays, delivery from the UPoint university shop will operate in a limited mode. Orders via the internal shop will still be processed, but pickup will only be possible in person at UPoint and by prior arrangement with staff. During the summer holiday period, to ensure timely processing, it is advisable to handle orders at least two weeks in advance. Thank you for your understanding.