(This content has been translated automatically.)

Dear students,

you may have thought that the last newsletter came a long time ago and you were eagerly awaiting the next one. That's right, but three weeks have passed like water and the first issue of this year is here. In it, we bring you information about the university's operations, several competitions and challenges you can participate in, and an invitation to the Ateneo university choir New Year's concert. We wish you a successful start of the new year and a pleasant reading.

Limited opening hours of the canteen and reconstruction of the British Centre

If you were planning to head to the canteen for dinner during January, you'll have to grab the cooker yourself. For now, the 17 November Canteen is adjusting its opening hours to take account of the exam period – lunches can be picked up until 14:30 until the end of January. The current opening hours of all canteens and FreshUP bistros can be found on the SKM website.

The British Centre of the UP Library is also closed until the end of January, as the premises are currently undergoing renovation and modernisation. Find out more on its website.

How to improve transport to the university?

How do you get to Palacký University, whether you are going there to study or to work? How far do you walk or drive and what means of transport do you use? Such simple but important questions are the content of a questionnaire (in Czech) that examines sustainable mobility at UP. The Commission for a Sustainable UP and the Sustainable University in cooperation with the Department of Psychology of the Faculty of Arts of UP are also identifying the places that cause problems when travelling through the city. So don't miss the opportunity to get in touch, complete the survey (in Czech) by February 15 and then wait for the results and practical outcomes.

Literary competition: submit a short story or poem

Do you like to write? Try your luck in the literary competition for students of Palacký University, announced by Rector Martin Procházka. The deadline to enter is 15 March 2022 and there are two categories: poetry and short story. Students of all faculties with texts in Czech or Slovak can participate. The winners will receive a financial reward. Information can be found here (in Czech). You can also join the Facebook group (in Czech) of the competition.

Join the 11th annual "Donate Blood with the Rector" challenge

Are you thinking about starting to donate blood? Or are you a regular donor? Either way, mark the week of 14-18 February on your calendar and join the 11th annual Donate Blood with Rector challenge.It will take place during the UP Academic Week at the Transfusion Department of the University Hospital Olomouc. The Rector of the University Martin Procházka and the President of the Czech Red Cross Marek Jukl will symbolically launch the challenge by donating their own blood on Monday morning. Join them and register by 7 February at daruj@upol.cz. For more information about the appeal, visit daruj.upol.cz.

Open Day

Studying at UP is for everyone. So invite everyone you know – regardless of age or the number of degrees you have already earned – to the next Open Day. It will take place on Saturday 15 January from 8 am to 2 pm and all eight faculties will be presenting themselves online. Visitors will learn how to get into UP and what they need to do to do so via video streams, chats, online presentations or podcasts. You can read the details in the University Journal article, and the full programme can be found on the Univerzitní město website.

Interview: the Aurora Alliance is an extraordinary opportunity

Palacký University is a member of the Aurora Alliance, which includes eight other European universities. In November, a meeting of their representatives (in Czech) was held and a mobility agreement was concluded, which opens up countless new opportunities for internships for students and academic staff. Olomouc University was also represented by several students: find out how the meeting went and what their involvement in Aurora means to them in the interview for Žurnál (ián Czech).

A meaningful summer job at the camp

When the snow falls, summer seems a long way off. But preparations are in full swing at the Akademik Sport Centre for the Summer of Children suburban summer camps for children aged 3 to 16. You probably won't be able to sign up as a participant in time, but there are other opportunities: to become a leader, instructor, coach, medic or even a storekeeper. An overview of the positions, including information about remuneration, can be found on the ASC UP website.

New Year's concert of the university choir Ateneo

The songs of the mixed chamber choir Ateneo have been ringing through Palacký University for 20 years. The New Year's concert, which you can come and listen to on Sunday 23 January at 7 pm in the auditorium of the Faculty of Arts (Křížkovského 10), will also be a celebration of this milestone anniversary. The guests of our choir will be the Women's Chamber Choir Duha Ostrava and Cimbálová muzika Tolar. We will hear music by C. Franck, E. Morricone, UP graduate J. Pavlica and others.

Scholarship for studying abroad

In the newsletter we try to regularly bring you tips on various grants and scholarships. This time all students of bachelor and master programmes with permanent residence in the Olomouc Region who would like to try studying abroad should pay attention. The Olomouc Region has a total of CZK 700,000 to support them. You can apply for your thanks until 28 January, details can be found on the region's website.

How was your first semester at university?

Are you in your first year at university, have you already completed the student evaluations, but are you still full of impressions of your first semester? The European Students' Union is looking not only for what you enjoyed during your studies, but also for obstacles and inconveniences. If you fill in this questionnaire, you can help improve university education in the EU, plus you can get an Interrail network rail pass valid in 33 European countries.