(This content has been translated automatically.)

Dear employees, 

We would like to welcome you to the new academic year, which is off to a really varied start – as evidenced by our newsletter. We therefore wish you pleasant reading and also remind you of the university calendar, where more remarkable events are being added every day. 

Cleanliness is half of health – and the other half is, for the most part, prevention and a good lifestyle. That is why the Rector's Office is once again organising a Health Day for all university employees at the beginning of the academic year. During the Health Day, it is possible to have a preventive eye or skin examination, a free physiotherapy consultation or a body composition analysis. It also includes training in fine motor and cognitive skills development, occupational therapy or yoga lessons. You will find everything free of charge and in one place – in the courtyard of the Armoury (Zbrojnice) and in the premises of the UP Publishing House on Thursday, 15 September 2022 from 10 am to 2 pm. Register for the activities as soon as possible here.

Before the semester gets into full swing, the opening hours and offerings of the canteens and FreshUP bistros will be adjusted until 18 September. Details, as well as the standard opening hours from 19 September, can be found on the SKM website (in Czech).

Authors of professional books from the ranks of university employees can apply for the Palacký University Rector's Honorary Recognition Award again this year. Proposals for the award are accepted by the science and research departments of individual faculties, or in the case of a university institute by the director. The deadline is 30 September 2022. Details can be found here (in Czech).

Have you visited the university campus in Holice? Head there on Thursday, 15 September, as the campus will come alive from 2 pm with the second Academic Harvest Festival, which this year will commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of J. G. Mendel. The father of genetics studied at in Olomouc from 1840 to 1843 (in Czech). Lectures, a tree planting ceremony, a tour of the agricultural machinery and pea refreshments await you in Building 47 and in the area in front of it – more in the programme.

In addition, J. G. Mendel will be commemorated by a lecture by Prof. Jiří Friml, one of the most cited Czech scientists in plant physiology, on Wednesday 21 September at 1 pm in Holice. 

The first week of the semester, the American Center opens on the UP campus. It will become a meeting place for Czech and American professionals and a window to American art and culture; the year-long program will offer not only lectures or exhibitions, but also help with English, information about study opportunities in the USA or a 3D printer for the public. Students can learn about the center's services on Wednesday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and then the first public talk will be held at 5:30 p.m., about the American wilderness. The Center will also be featured a day earlier at MEET UP in the Konvikt Courtyard.

Welcoming new students to Olomouc and introducing them to existing ones – that's not only why MEET UP is taking place on Tuesday, 20 September 2022 in the stunning surroundings of the park and courtyard of the Konvikt – Arts Centre of Palacký University. Come and see the afternoon and evening programme consisting of concerts, film screenings, workshops and presentations. Annet X, Zooblasters, The Middle of the Sandwich, Manu Destra and others will perform. There's no admission fee, but don't go completely penniless – because there will be no shortage of a varied gastro zone.

For the past 20 years, European Mobility Week has been taking place across Europe in mid-September to encourage us to think about the sustainability of transport and its impact on our environment. It regularly culminates in the International Car Free Day, which this year our university will also support – its management, headed by Rector Martin Procházka, will also actively join in. Try to leave your car at home on Thursday 22 September, go to the university on your own or by public transport and relieve the public space and (not only Olomouc's) air. As a reward, there will be a competition and refreshments to replenish your energy. More information will be posted on the Sustainable University website (in Czech).

At the Faculty of Law, members of the academic community will be selecting a student senator for the Palacký University Academic Senate for the 2020–2023 term in a by-election in early October. Members of the academic community can submit nominations from Monday 12 to Thursday 22 September using this form. More detailed information will be available on the Faculty's website in the coming days.

You don't necessarily have to make resolutions only in January – try it at the beginning of the academic year this year too. For example, you can improve your language skills and you don't have to go far. The FF UPLIFT language school is launching group courses for the public from 19 September and UP employees can take advantage of a 10% discount on course fees. Check out the current schedule and descriptions of each course (in Czech), if you have any questions, please contact uplift@upol.cz.

As of 12 September, the library collections of the Faculty of Health Sciences Library and the Faculty of Medicine Library are located in one place. Thus, students and academics of both faculties have all library services available at one desk, namely in the existing LF Library lending library. Thanks to the space changes, students can also enjoy a larger number of study spaces. Details of the new features can be found on the UP Library website (in Czech).

Don't let your memories of the 20th century fade away and support the largest publicly accessible memorial database in Europe along with your health. On Sunday 11 September, you can run in Smetana Gardens in Olomouc as part of the 5th annual Run for the Memory of the Nation (in Czech), which is held under the auspices of Rector Martin Procházka. You can also stop by the civil defence shelter in Bezručovy sady – there you will find the audiovisual exhibition Uncovered Stories of the 20th Century (in Czech), in which you will learn about the dramatic fates of five war and communism survivors from the Olomouc Region. If you also take your university staff card, you will get a second ticket for free.

As a traditional partner of Flora Olomouc exhibitions, we have free tickets for this year's autumn stage, which will take place from 29 September to 2 October at the Olomouc Exhibition Centre. Just email us by Tuesday, September 13, at soutez@upol.cz with the name of the important figure commemorated in this year's main exhibition in Hall A, and you have a chance to win a free ticket. For example, the popular Pumpkincracking or the competition for the best Flora jam have their place in the programme.