Dear colleagues,

we cordially invite you to a popularization event of the Science and Research Fair of Palacký University Olomouc, which takes place on June 7- 8, 2019. The motto of this year's fair is "Save the Planet!"

Children as well as adult visitors will experience various aspects of everyday use of science and knowledge through fun interactive experiments, competitions or performances. They can pretend to be zoologists, botanists, plant genetics, astronauts, chemists, opticians, lawyers, and graphic designers. In the kiosks, we will focus on hot topics related to protecting the planet Earth and how each of us can contribute to its saving. The event is free. It takes place in the building of the Faculty of Science, only on Friday from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm and at Fort Science on Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm and on Saturday from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm.

We are looking forward to your visit - come and explore the world of science with us!

Česká hlava Award 2019
Organizing Committee of Česká hlava Award together with the Government of the Czech Republic announces 18th year of the competition for Czech scientists, constructors and gifted university students. Laureates receive prize money in the amount of CZK 1,350,000. The awards are decided by an independent jury of university representatives, the Academy of Sciences and experts in the respective fields. The awards are presented to the winners at a gala evening that is broadcasted by CT in prime time.

Prizes are announced in the following categories:

1. National Award of the Czech government for Lifetime Contribution to a Scientific Field, financial reward of CZK 1,000,000.
2. Invention Award for discovery in the field of basic or applied research or technological innovation, taking into account usability in practice, financial reward of CZK 250,000.
3. Industry Award for the most significant technological or product innovation made in the Czech Republic in the last few years.
4. Doctorandus Award in Technical Sciences for the best thesis of a PhD student in the field of technical sciences, financial reward of CZK 50,000.
5. Doctorandus Award in Natural Sciences for the best thesis of a doctoral student in the field of natural sciences, financial reward of CZK 50,000.

Deadline for accepting nominations is 30 June 2019. Any legal or natural person may submit a nomination. Employer's consent is not required to submit a nomination.

The constitution of the competition can be found here, where individual categories are described. More information can be found at www.ceskahlava.cz. If you have any questions, please contact vaclav.marek@ceskahlava.cz.

Internship in Mexico
We would like to inform you about the possibility of obtaining a Mexican Government scholarship for a summer course of Mexican Spanish and Mexican Culture. The offer is published on the website of the Academic Information Agency (AIA) here. Candidates may submit the documentation listed on the Embassy of Mexico in the Czech Republic (V Jirchářích 151/10, Prague 1). The deadline for submitting applications was extended to May 24 for Czech students. Pavel Rybář, email: pavel.rybar@dzs.cz will give more information if needed.

University studies in Japan
Japan offers a scholarship to study at a Japanese university for 5-7 years to high school graduates and for first year university students. Applicants or candidates must be born after 2 April 1995, the scholarship offer is valid only for Czech citizens. The date of written tests is June 7, 2019. The exam consist of Mathematics, English and Japanese plus Chemistry and Biology, resp. Chemistry and Physics according to the chosen field of study. Sample written tests can be found here: https://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/toj/toj0302e-32.html

Application deadline is May 29, 2019, at 3 pm. Applications are submitted directly to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports: https://www.dzs.cz/en/.

The list of required documents, application form and scholarship conditions can be found under the link above and also on the website of Japanese Embassy in Prague (see point 2, Research Student and point 3, Undergraduate Students): https://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/index.html.

Scholarships in Italy
AIA informs about the possibility of obtaining government scholarships in Italy. Apply online on the website, the deadline for submitting applications is 30 May 2019 to 14:00. For academic year 2019/2020 there were 18 months reserved for the Czech republic, monthly scholarship is EUR 900.

Completion of studies before Final state examination
We would like to inform third-year students of Bachelor study programs and second-year students of Master study programs that they are obliged to close the year before taking the Final state examination at least three weeks before the date of the examination or final thesis defense. Closing the year needs to be done personally at the Study department.

Graduation ceremonies of Doctoral students
Graduation ceremonies of graduates of Doctoral programs will take place on May 31 at the Faculty of Education.

Evaluation of students in doctoral studies
We ask doctoral students to submit the 2018/2019 academic year by June 30, 2019. The evaluation must be signed by the student and the supervisor and must include a written statement from the supervisor on whether he / she recommends their advancing to a higher grade. Even after submitting the evaluation, the student can complete subjects enrolled in Stag by September 5, 2019. After September 5, 2019, compliance with the conditions for proceeding to the next year will be checked.

At the same time, students of fourth and higher years will also submit their application to extend their studies. The application must also include statement and signature of the supervisor.

Evaluation of subjects
Evaluation of subjects taught in summer semester of 2018/2019 academic year will run from May 10 to June 30. The evaluation will be carried out electronically through UP Portal. More information will be emailed to you during this week.

Evaluation of subjects is valid only if enough students participate. We, therefore, ask you to find a few minutes of your time during the exam period to participate in the evaluation.

Change in wage compensation for incapacity to work
Change in wage compensation for incapacity to work and social insurance in compliance with Act No. 32/2019 Coll. occurs with effect from July 1, 2019:

• to abolish the deferred period (days 1 to 3 of incapacity to work, when the employee does not receive any wage compensation, now the wage compensation is paid from the 4th day of illness); starting July 1, 2019, wage compensation will be paid to an employee from the first day of incapacity to work

• as a compensation for the cancellation of the deferred period and thus an increase in the employer's burden of paying wage compensation during the period of incapacity to work of its employees, the social insurance rate has been reduced from 25% to 24.8% of the assessment base.

Saving outputs from CIST commissions at UPShare
Another meeting of the Working Group of FoS for the establishment of the HEI took place on 2nd May, 2019. The meeting minutes can be found on the UPShare. For more information https://files.upol.cz/team/cist/SitePages/DomovskaStranka.aspx.

Summer POSPOS
The Dean of the Faculty of Science invites all employees, PhD students and seniors of the Faculty to the traditional Post-semestral gathering. Summer POSPOS will be held in the main building of the Faculty of Science on Wednesday, June 12 at 12:00. You can enjoy barbecue and desserts. There will also be live music to dance or listen to.

Best birthday card competition
The Dean of the Faculty of Science announces a competition for the best desing of a Birthday card. UP employees and students can compete with their designs. The author of the best card will receive a financial reward of CZK 3,000 - 5,000 and a voucher for a three-day stay for two in the faculty recreational facility in Karlov. You can send your proposals by June 20, 2019 either electronically to e-mail magdalena.ondrusakova@upol.cz, by post or deliver them personally after prior agreement with Mgr. Magdalena Ondrušáková, Dean's Office of the Faculty of Science, 6th floor, office 6.010, 17. listopadu 12, 779 00 Olomouc.

Children's Day with Nature
We cordially invite all "faculty" children and their parents to Children´s day, which will take place on May 29 from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm behind the main faculty building. Competitions and games, bouncy castle, balloon modeling or face painting, please confirm your attendance by e-mail: magdalena.ondrusakova@upol.cz.

Day of Fascination by Plants
The Botanical Garden of the Faculty of Science invites you to a traditional popularization event, the Day of Fascination by Plants, which will take place on May 22 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. The Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Crop Research Institute and the Institute of Experimental Botany of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic will participate in this year's program entitled "Plants on a Plate." For more information, visit www.garden.upol.cz.

Faculty of the Year
As in previous years, the Faculty of Science enrolled in the Faculty of the Year competition. Voting can be made on this unique link, which has been generated only for our faculty: www.fakultaroku.cz/skoly/1957/. Based on your answers, the organizers of the survey will compile a ranking of schools in individual fields. Last year we took the lead and we believe that with your support we will succeed again this year. You can vote till the end of May.

Start-up grant from Experientia Foundation
Are you a young scientist (within 5 years of completing your PhD studies) in organic, bioorganic or medicinal chemistry? Have you returned (or are you planning to return soon) from at least one year's postdoctoral research internship abroad and are you considering setting up your own research group in the Czech Republic?

Apply for a grant by the Experientia Foundation to start this group. Only until May 31, 2019! More information can be found at https://www.experientia.cz/pro-zadatele/start-up-granty/, e-mail: experientia@experientia.cz.