At the management meeting on Wednesday, November 20, the emerging methodologies for standards or the signing of a memorandum on strengthening security were discussed. AS UP has a new member. Read the entire summary (in Czech) (after logging in to the UP Portal), we will prepare another for you in 14 days. More detailed information can subsequently be found in the minutes of the management meeting in UPShare, but also in the minutes of the meetings of other bodies, in UP norms and documents and on other information platforms.

The official mobile application of Palacký University – UPlikace will offer a unique tool for communication with students and workers in case of crisis situations. In the event of a danger or serious operational incident in one of the university buildings, it will allow sending a message containing basic information and instructions on how to behave. The updated version of the UPlikace will start arriving on your phones during the afternoon of Thursday (November 28), an interactive guide will help you set up the new function. See the comprehensive article on the website for details.

The application is now available – also in English – not only for students and teachers, but also for all other UP employees. If you don't have it yet, download and install it right away - you can find information and links on the website.

As every year, FreshUP canteens and bistros adjust their operating hours during the Christmas period. The first change will take place already on Monday, December 9, when the Josef Jařab canteen (formerly Šmeralova) will close. In the next week, all FreshUPs will shorten their Friday operating hours in particular. The canteens and bistros will return to standard mode at the beginning of the summer semester from February 10, 2025. More details on the SKM website.

The first of two open days of UP awaits us already this Friday. Interested students will be offered information about the study as well as a rich accompanying program. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., they will be able to view the university premises of most faculties, dormitories, canteens and other workplaces. The Infopoint will be in the courtyard of the Armoury/Zbrojnice. Invite your friends who might be interested in studying at UP to Olomouc on Friday, or come and see for yourself what else UP has to offer! Find out more in the UP Journal article (in Czech) and on the University City website (in Czech).

Do you have a project already underway, or just an idea for now, and are you looking for a place to start it? Try signing up for the 16th year of the student grant competition at UP, which is announced by the rector of the university precisely so that the implementation of interesting projects does not fail due to a lack of funds. Students of a doctoral study program, where UP is the training workplace, or academic staff of UP can be the main solvers of the student project. Applications can only be submitted electronically until January 16, 2025. You can find competition conditions, application instructions and information on financial limits or priority topics on the website. (in Czech)

Palacký University will elect a new rector. You can find out about the most important dates related to the elections in a short video by Irena Smolová (in Czech), chairperson of the UP academic senate. All the necessary information can be found on a special website dedicated to rector elections.

LECTURES, COURSES, DISCUSSIONS

It helps people whose lives have been changed by war injuries. Tomáš Kempný is a graduate of the UP Faculty of Medicine, specializes in microsurgery and goes on humanitarian missions in his spare time. It operates in conditions that we can hardly imagine in the heart of Europe. For example, when flies or cockroaches appear in the operating room. Or when the power goes out repeatedly during a demanding operation. On Tuesday, December 3, the rector of UP Martin Procházka will introduce a medical colleague and also a classmate from medical studies in his discussion program (in Czech). Register in the form to participate. 

How to solve energy bills while helping the environment? Community energy offers a proven solution. How can people, municipalities and local businesses jointly produce and consume electricity from renewable sources and what benefits does it bring? The lecture from the Sustainable Universities series takes place on December 4 from 3:30 p.m. More information and registration. (in Czech)

Meet students from other universities and gain invaluable international experience. Currently, thanks to UP's membership in the Aurora network, you can choose from several courses that focus on global challenges, sustainability, health, design or urban food supply. The courses take place in the form of BIP (Blended Intensive Programme), this means that they take place partly online and partly physically at foreign universities. You can find the current offer on the Aurora website. (in Czech)

Master the 5 basic principles of advanced self-defense — Think, Shout, Run, Fight, and Share — that will help you recognize dangerous situations, prevent an attack, and strengthen your ability to defend yourself if attacked. The workshop, intended for women aged 8-88, will be held on Thursday, December 5 in the morning and afternoon - you can find more in the PDF (in Czech), register via the CŽV Portal.

INVITATIONS

Did you know that this year's Christmas tree in Olomouc's Upper Square (Horní náměstí) is a huge sequoia? How about finding out more about this exceptional tree? At AFOKINO cinema projection in December, we invite you to the documentary Giants Rising, which brings to light the fascinating story of redwoods. The screening will take place on 10 December at 17:30 at the Metropol cinema. Entry is free for all and it is not possible to reserve a place – get there early!

The UP Volunteering Center invites you to the third annual Christmas poinsettias sale (in Czech) for the non-profit organization Šance Olomouc. The proceeds go to help children with cancer. They will be sold from December 2 to 6 at various places in UP (in Czech) for 60 or 120 CZK. Payment is only possible in cash - please prepare the exact amount.

Winter is here, so why not try snowshoes? Akademik sport center UP will lend you them from 30 to 70 CZK per day. You can find contact information and a price list on his website. (in Czech)

KOS UP – student organisation from the Department of Social Sciences PdF UP – prepared a university Secret Santa for all interested parties from UP. Apply by December 4th and the organizers will randomly match you with someone else from anywhere in the university. Afterwards, you exchange a small gift. There are over 27,000 people at UP, so you're bound to meet someone you don't know yet!

A Christmas workshop organized by the British Center of the UP Library is intended for children and also for their parents. It will take place on Wednesday 4th December from 16:00 to 17:30. Children don't need to bring anything with them, just the desire to participate. You can find more information and a link to the registration form on the UP Library website. (in Czech)

COMPETITION

For a few more days, students can submit their defended diplomas, which touch on the issue of sustainable development with their topic, to the competition for the UP Rector's Prize for Sustainability. If you would like to win a Christmas package from UPoint , write to us by December 4 at soutez@upol.cz the answer to the question, how many years of the competition for the Rector's Prize for Sustainability is taking place this year.