(This content has been translated automatically.)

 

Dear employees, 

although the streets, parks, and riverbanks of the university city are still glowing with autumn colours, the ridges of the Jeseníky Mountains are already white, and the station on Praděd is reporting 11 centimetres of snow. Remember that you can stand up to the coming winter in new university hoodies, which you can complement with classics such as a hat and scarf – you can find everything at UPoint. If you prefer to warm up actively, take advantage of the rental service offering skis, snowblades, or snowshoes at Akademik sport centre UP (in Czech).

The past days, however, are bringing more than changes in temperature – the topic of these days is the proposal to change the funding of Czech Television and Czech Radio. Universities and public-service media share an important mission: helping society see the world in context. UP Rector Michael Kohajda therefore expresses support for independent public-service media, points out the possible impacts of the proposed changes, and calls for thorough debate as well as stable funding and effective protection from political pressure. He also recalls the shared mission of universities and public-service media, and the importance of their freedom for a democratic society. Listen to the full appeal. (in Czech) The UP Academic Senate has also joined (in Czech) the Czech Rectors Conference’s statement supporting the independence of Czech Television and Czech Radio and their stable funding.

WHAT’S GOING ON AT UP

Rector’s UPdate #2

Employee benefit: Treat yourself to relaxation with a 54% discount at Aquapark Olomouc

Would you like to relax, recharge, or are you looking for a gift idea for your loved ones? In cooperation with Aquapark Olomouc, we have prepared a special limited offer of full-day RELAX electronic vouchers for UP employees at a discounted price of CZK 340 (the regular value of the voucher is CZK 730). Purchases are possible from 2 to 30 November 2026; you can find details and instructions on the UP website (in Czech).

Recipients of the Rector’s Honorary Awards for authors of academic books have been announced

The competition for the 2026 Rector’s Honorary Award of Palacký University Olomouc for authors of academic books was announced on 1 September. Following selection at the faculties, 19 academic books with proposals to award 21 authors were submitted to the university committee, which recommended them to Rector Michael Kohajda for recognition. The ceremonial presentation of the honorary awards will take place during UP Academic Week in February 2027. View the list of awarded authors and publications here.

How do academics assess the past semester? A survey revealed high workload and pressure 

How did academic and research staff at UP experience the past semester? How much time did they have left for research, teaching preparation, or rest? And what would help them cope better with demanding periods of the academic year? A survey conducted at the end of the summer semester of the 2025/2026 academic year sought answers to these questions. View the results. (in Czech)

New issue of the UP Project Service bulletin

Every scientific career has a turning point. For thirteen young researchers, it is this year’s UP Junior Grant, for which a record number of applicants applied. UP researchers have also succeeded in the GACR EXPRO and JUNIOR STAR competitions. How will national support for ERC applicants change from 2027? And what lies ahead for European research? Experts from Brussels will answer at November lectures at UP. Find the details in the current PS UP bulletin. (in Czech)

CALLS

Roll Up Your Sleeve 2026: Take part in the inter-faculty blood donation challenge

Help save lives and score points for your faculty! Until 18 December, UP students and employees can take part in the traditional Roll Up Your Sleeve challenge (in Czech). Simply book a blood donation appointment at the Transfusion Department of the University Hospital Olomouc, complete the competition form, and assign your donation to the faculty you wish to support. The faculties compete in the number of participating donors, but the main victory is helping patients who need blood. Join in too – every donor counts! (in Czech)

LECTURES AND COURSES

Fischer Lecture | Tomáš Jungwirth: The greatest revolution in the smallest unit of a chip – in one bit

What do magnets, computer chips, and the future of information technology have in common? Leading Czech physicist Tomáš Jungwirth, who belongs to the world’s elite in spintronics research, will offer an answer. On Thursday, 26 November, at 5 p.m. in the auditorium of the Faculty of Science, he will present, as part of the 32nd Annual Lecture in Honour of J. L. Fischer (in Czech), a technology that could fundamentally transform the way data is stored and processed. You will learn why conventional semiconductor bits are reaching their limits, how magnetic technologies are replacing them, and what role Czech researchers play in this revolution. Reserve your place and don’t miss the opportunity to meet one of the most prominent figures in contemporary Czech science!

Stolen Freedoms: workshop and debate on freedom of expression and media independence

Freedom is one of the fundamental values of a democratic society, but it can never be taken for granted. The third edition of Stolen Freedoms will therefore focus on freedom of expression and media independence on 9 November. From 4 p.m., a workshop by the organisation Zvol si info in the UP Student Club will address media and information literacy. At 6 p.m., a public debate in the auditorium of the UP Faculty of Arts will follow, discussing where the boundaries of freedom of expression lie or what can influence media independence. The debate will be attended by Václav Lebeda, press spokesperson for the European Commission Representation in the Czech Republic, journalist Ondřej Leinert, and Ondřej Filipec, assistant professor at the UP Faculty of Science.

INVITATIONS

Come to the FFest Festival!

The UP Faculty of Arts invites you from 6 to 17 November to another edition of the FFest festival, which will offer a varied programme full of author readings, lectures, student films, slam poetry, and theatre. You can look forward, for example, to a performance by Tali in the Red Church, UP Masters Slam, discussions on current social issues, practical workshops, or a literary pub quiz combined with the announcement of the results of the UP Literary Competition. The festival is open to students, alumni, and the general public, and it will culminate on 17 November with a free screening of the film Kolya at the Metropol cinema. The complete programme is available at ffest.upol.cz (in Czech), with current information on IG and FB.

UP will commemorate 17 November with music, film, and memories

The Jařaboviny memorial gathering will begin the commemoration of the November events on 16 November at 6 p.m. in the S-Club; admission is CZK 200. On Tuesday, 17 November, at 10 a.m., a commemorative ceremony will take place at the Monument to the Three Resistances in front of the Faculty of Law. In the afternoon, you can choose between a free screening of Kolya at the Metropol cinema at 5 p.m., with ticket reservation required, and a concert by the Ateneo choir at 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the UP Faculty of Arts, Křížkovského 10. Studio UP will publish an interview with Charter 77 signatory Květoslava Princová. Browse the detailed programme (in Czech).

University science will be presented at the Maker Faire innovation and technology showcase

A space for all enthusiasts of innovation, science, and technology, DIYers, and makers – that is the Maker Faire festival (in Czech), which will take place on Sunday, 15 November, at the Flora Olomouc Exhibition Grounds. And Palacký University will be part of it. Do you like new technological gadgets? Do you build your own “contraptions” at home, or are you a science enthusiast? The UP exhibition will offer visitors demonstrations of robotics, 3D printing, drones, and laser technologies.

COMPETITION

Compete for free tickets to the Olomouc Maker Faire

The UP Marketing Department has prepared a competition for you with 4 × 2 free tickets to the Olomouc Maker Faire. Simply answer the competition question correctly by email to soutez@upol.cz by Wednesday, 11 November, and the free tickets could be yours. We ask: In which other cities is Maker Faire taking place this year?

Are you planning to place an order for goods from UPoint for your workplace this calendar year? The university shop asks that you submit an internal request by 30 November at the latest. UPoint will promptly confirm product availability and asks that the approved pre-order in SAP be delivered by 7 December at the latest. For orders received by UPoint after 7 December, delivery and invoicing before Christmas can no longer be guaranteed.