(This content has been translated automatically.)

Dear employees,

Although temperature records fell over the last weekend and in some places spring herbs even bloomed for the second time, there can be no doubt that winter is imminent. And since the related issue of rising energy prices is not avoiding the university, its administration is currently addressing the situation on many levels. However, the support of every individual, i.e. university employee or student, will also be necessary to cope with it. In the spirit of Responsible Palacký, we have previously presented a simple energy-saving decalogue to make things easier for you. Now the UP management is also issuing a set of recommended technical measures (in Czech) for individual university units.

In our last newsletter we showed you how our ambassadors attract people interested in studying in Slovakia. This week is dedicated to the largest of the tertiary education fairs, Gaudeamus Brno, where we are presenting study options in our two-storey stand until Friday - there are almost a thousand combinations of study programmes to choose from. Their complete overview, including further information for those interested in studying, is offered by a special website, univerzitnimesto.cz (in Czech). For most of the bachelor's, master's and postgraduate programmes, you can submit an e-application until mid-March. Preparations are also underway for open days, the next one will be on Friday 2 December.

Invite your students to submit their thesis, professional article or sports performance worthy of the UP Rector's Award. The winners will receive a diploma from the hands of Rector Martin Procházka and a financial reward. To enter the competition, the thesis must be submitted together with a completed application form, testimonials and an evaluation of its contribution. In the case of sports prizes, a proposal sheet must be completed on behalf of the individual or team. This can be done until 16 November. For more information, see UP Journal article (in Czech), and the rules and forms here (in Czech).

There are some things that seem commonplace to us. But when we look at them from a different perspective, peering beneath the surface, we discover how compelling and beneficial they are to our being. And the October issue of the university magazine Žurnál UP is about how ordinary things and events can be turned into extraordinary by the people of the university. Pick it up at the traditional places in the stands at the faculties, in UPoint, in the Armoury, in the Fort Science and other university buildings, or open the electronic version (in Czech).

With only a few days left, you can share your opinions and insights regarding the catering in the UP canteens with the Administration of Dormitories and Canteens. In this article (in Czech), you will find details and answers to several frequently asked questions that have been voiced for a long time regarding the canteens, the questionnaire itself is available here. Your answers are, of course, completely anonymous, and you can fill them in (in Czech) until 5 November.

The Computer Centre has prepared an offer of courses in the field of IT competences for UP employees. From 7 November, there will be lessons in Outlook, Excel for beginners and advanced. If you are interested in speeding up and streamlining your work on a PC, you can sign up for a training course dedicated to the Windows 10 operating system. There is also a new course on electronic signatures and computer security. The current offer of all lifelong learning programmes for UP employees can be found here.

Films about the beauty of nature, full of elaborate shots often taken with the latest technology, are best seen on the big screen. Another film screened under the Academia Film Olomouc festival banner will be Jennifer Peedom's River – a cinematic ode to the rivers that have shaped the planet and our lives since time immemorial. You can look forward to the screening on Monday, 7 November at 20:00 in the Metropol Cinema, with free admission for employees upon prior reservation.

Do you want to go into business but don't quite know how to do it? Come to the Fortress of Knowledge on Saturday, 5 November to hear the stories of successful entrepreneurs from the region during the UP Business Camp (in Czech) – a conference on the path to successful entrepreneurship. The tenth edition of the event will be marked by the theme "Turbulent times – opportunity or risk?" and will offer lectures, informal meetings, networking, discussions and a competition. An integral part of the programme is the competition "Clash of the Startups" (in Czech). The conference programme, speaker medallions and registration are available on the website upbusinesscamp.cz (in Czech).

As the war in Ukraine has been going on for 252 days and humanitarian aid is still needed, the Law School has once again announced a material collection for Ukraine. All students and employees of UP can participate. Items can be brought on weekdays (8:00–18:00) to the reception of Building A (17th November 8) (in Czech) for the whole month of November. A list of items you can donate can be found here in PDF (in Czech). Read more about the PF UP activity in the Journal (in Czech).

The baroque building of the former Jesuit convent from the 16th century is one of the oldest parts of Palacký University. After a generous reconstruction in 2002, it became a modern academic space and the core of cultural events in Olomouc. Today it houses the art and science departments of the Faculty of Philosophy and the Faculty of Education. On Friday, 4 November, the UP Art Centre will celebrate the 20th anniversary of this new stage with concerts, exhibitions, award ceremonies and a graduation meeting of the Department of Theatre and Film Studies, which will also celebrate its 30th anniversary. Read more in the UP Journal article (in Czech), and news will be added to the Facebook event (in Czech).

Do you want to contribute to the improvement of Czech science? Are you an expert in your field? Are you interested in the direction of Czech research? Every year, the Czech Grant Agency receives over three thousand project proposals from all areas of basic research. More than 400 renowned experts help select the best ones. In view of the expiring terms of about half of them in March 2023, the GACR is launching a call for nominations for evaluation panels. Applications are open until 15 December 2022. For more information, visit the website.