Dear employees, 

Today it is exactly 78 years since Palacký University was restored by a special law after the Second World War. Today, as then, the bells of the Olomouc churches ring out to commemorate this important event.
But it won't stop there: during the UP Academic Week, which has been commemorating the resurrection of the university since Monday, we will also have a mass for the university, a film screening and a university ball. During the weekend, you can visit for free the UP science centre Fort Science or the Olomouc Museum of Art – both the modern art exhibition on Denisova Street and the reconstructed Archdiocesan Museum on Olomouc's Wenceslas Square.

FOR INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEES

As of 5 February 2024, the new Regional Department of the Ministry of Interior, specifically the Central Regional Department for Asylum and Migration Policy, has changed its address and is now located in Olomouc at Tř. Kosmonautů 989/8. The UP Welcome Office remains central for Palacký University Olomouc in communications with the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic.
Academic staff and other employees, who wish to apply for the issuance of residency documents or notify the MOI of specific changes in their stay, and more, should contact Mgr. Veronika Poláková.

Researchers from the Department of Development and Environmental Studies want to learn more about the problems foreigners face in the Czech Republic. They are looking for foreigners from all countries to fill out the survey, which should take about 10 minutes (even if you have taken a similar survey in the past, you can retake this one).

Please fill out the survey in English or in Czech. You can also win one of three 1,000 CZK MALL.CZ vouchers. Thank you for your time, and please share the survey with your friends outside of university!

Would you like to improve your Czech or start learning this beautiful language? Are you planning to spend this summer in Olomouc? We would like to present you the Summer School of Slavonic Studies of the Faculty of Arts which runs intensive courses of the Czech language (from beginners to those of advanced level). In 2024 the Summer School will take place from July 13 to August 11 and you can choose between 2 types of courses.
Students and employees of UP are offered a cheaper price. Details can be found in this PDF or at lsss.upol.cz.

Kick-started with an inspiring Music Relaxation session on 16th February, our Welcome to Well-being: A Journey to Your Mental Harmony series has already sparked incredible enthusiasm! Imagine immersing yourself in healing tones and playing unconventional musical instruments, all while gearing up for a successful semester ahead.

Join us every Friday for a unique blend of workshops and lectures designed to elevate your mental harmony and academic journey-all at no cost! Don't miss out on this chance to enrich your university experience. Find your next workshop here and ease into your semester with us. See you there!

You can improve not only your health and fitness, but also your general outlook, the state of your bank account or kitchen facilities thanks to Palacký University employee benefits. In spring, discounts at the tire shop or on sports equipment may come in handy, while DIYers and gardeners will enjoy a discount at the hobby shop. You can go on a trip in a shared car or on a shared bike or scooter. You can find the full offer on the website. 

WHAT'S GOING ON AT UP

At the last management meeting on Wednesday, 14 February 2024, they talked about the relocation of the Department of Residence of Foreigners for the Olomouc Region, which moved from Přerov directly to Olomouc. The agenda of the UP Council of Ministers included discussion of 6 study programmes, the UP Scientific Council also met. Read the full summary (in Czech) (after logging in the UP Portal), we will prepare another one for you in 14 days. More detailed information will be subsequently available in the minutes of the management meeting in UPShare, as well as in the minutes of other bodies, in UP standards and documents and on other information platforms.

The new Aurora Alliance Open Call will help to foster closer cooperation between European universities. You can receive up to €25,000 for a joint international project.  The aim is not only to support the research itself, but also to help the resulting team to prepare a project application for the Horizon Europe Framework Programme or other European grant calls within a given timeframe. Support is also available for the organisation of thematic summer schools, up to €20,000. The third funded activity is short-term mobility aimed at young scientists. More detailed information can be found here.

COURSES

The UP Library offers a wealth of electronic information resources and it would be a pity not to be able to use them sufficiently and effectively. Did you know that in addition to articles and books, there are also extensive databases of musical compositions and scores? Or that thanks to a subscription to the PressReader portal you can read some Czech and foreign newspapers and magazines?
You can learn everything from 26 February to 1 March during Electronic Information Resources (EIR) Week, when you can take advantage of one-to-one consultations or attend workshops and training sessions. Detailed programme and registration can be found on the UP Library website (in Czech).

The Czech-Bavarian Higher Education Agency (BTHA) offers scholarships for summer schools and language courses in Bavaria. Students, PhD students, teachers and researchers from public universities in the Czech Republic can apply. Applications and further information can be found on the BTHA website. You can also join an informative webinar on Thursday 27 February 2024 at 4 pm on Zoom.

INVITATIONS

Charity concert for the repair of the organ in the Church of Our Lady of the Snows

The Baroque organ in the Church of Our Lady of the Snows on the náměstí Republiky sqare is in need of reconstruction. The church, which has been firmly connected with the University of Olomouc since the time of the Jesuits, is today the seat of The Sněženka academic parish (in Czech) and an important place not only for the Catholic University Movement in Olomouc (in Czech). The first charity concert for the repair of the organ will be held on Saturday, March 2 at 7 pm.

Interesting news from Czech universities can be read regularly on the website Universitas, where you can also subscribe to the newsletter (in Czech). Its latest issue (in Czech) focuses on occupational health psychology and a new handbook on bullying prevention. It also focuses on the importance of developing pedagogical competences and international experience. Read the full newsletter on the website. (in Czech)

NEW STANDARDS

• Determination of fees for acts related to habilitation proceedings and proceedings for appointment as professor at UP – Amendment No. 1

  This amendment to the UP internal standard, effective as of 12 February 2024, is intended primarily for candidates of the habilitation procedure and the procedure for appointment as professor at UP, as well as for UP employees working in the science and research departments of the faculties, vice-deans for science and research and deans of faculties that have been granted accreditation for this type of procedure. The subject of this amendment is to formally update the wording of the standard and to add the possibility of exemption from the fee for acts related to the procedure based on the decision of the dean of the faculty.

COMPETITIONS

The ongoing UP Academic Week deserves a special competition! Today you can win one four-day ticket for one person to the Colours of Ostrava festival, of which our university is a partner this year. Just email soutez@upol.cz by Wednesday 28 February with the correct answer to the competition question and have some luck in the draw. Competition question: For what price does our UPoint currently offer a stylish UPcycled fanny pack (bumbag, belt bag etc., in Czech „ledvinka“)?

The city of Olomouc announces another year of the popular photo contest in which enthusiasts with a lens can win valuable prizes. This year you can compete in two categories: diversity and unity. UP is also collaborating in the competition through the Sustainable University. You can win a voucher for photo equipment and services. Details can be found on the city's website (in Czech).