Dear colleagues, dear students,

The Faculty of Science of the Palacký University has decided to provide material assistance to people affected by the war in Ukraine. The collection ‘Faculty for Ukraine’ is held in collaboration with Yuliya Krasylenko from the Department of Biotechnology, who collaborates with people helping at the border and having ties to coordinators on Ukrainian territory.

Please donate dressings, medicines, artificial nutrition, disposable baby diapers, warm blankets, pillows, toiletries, clothing, shoes, sleeping bags, mats, dishes, walkie-talkies, rangefinders, extension cords, binoculars, gasoline canisters, durable food or water.

You can leave your material donation either at the gatehouse of the main building of the Faculty of Science (17. listopadu 12, on weekdays 6:00 – 21:00) or at the gatehouse in the Holice campus (Šlechtitelů 27, on weekdays 6:00 – 21:00). More information about the collection can be found on this website.

Modifications to the agenda of signing documents by the UP Rector

In order to improve the operation of the Rector's Office, the following adjustments newly apply to the agenda of signing documents:

• The rule that all contracts intended for the rector's signature must be provided with an accompanying form, the so-called “košilka”, with the necessary signatures before the rector's signature, still applies. The form serves as the identification of the contract, the persons responsible for the contract and an overview of the performed inspection of relevant parts (Dean's Office, etc.),
• Contracts without a duly completed accompanying form (”košilka”) will be sent back to the sender,
• All documents, except for study matters, must now be first checked by the Bursar and then can be submitted to the Rector.

Although the Rector's Secretariate strives to process the Rector's signatures as soon as possible, the signature processing may take several days.

The signature process within the faculty remains unchanged i.e. the "košilka" form is filled in at the departments/workplaces and subsequently delivered to the Dean's Office, where it is processed by the relevant staff, including attached documents (contracts, amendments, etc.), and then everything is sent to the Rector's Office for signature. Information on administration and types of "košilka" forms can be found in the project project administration manual on the website of the Department of Project Support (in Czech).

TA CR – Delta 2 Programme

The Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA CR) wishes to inform on preparation of the 4th call of the Programme for applied research, experimental development and innovation DELTA 2, which launch is currently scheduled for May 18, 2022. TA CR informs the applicants that the public call will only be announced if the situation regarding the provisional budget is resolved.

The 4th call differs from the 3rd call in several parameters. These parameters are marked in red and require additional attention. The language of the project proposals shall be English. The participation of linked and partner enterprises is being discussed and will be specified in the call documentation. Details can be found on the provider’s website.

TA CR – support for Ukrainian academics, scientists and students

Information on the involvement of scientific teams, staff and students from Ukraine in the implemented projects of the TA CR can be found on the provider's website. More on https://www.prf.upol.cz/projekty/ (in Czech). Queries may be addressed to Mgr. Silvie Šavrňáková (silvie.savrnakova@upol.cz).

TA CR – support payment 2022

Based on the agreement with the RVVI and the Ministry of Finance, the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic will proceed to the gradual payment of part of the support for already implemented projects, in the expected amount of 3/12 of the approved project support for 2022 according to the Binding Parameters. The remaining part of the support will be paid to the projects after the approval of the Act on the State Budget of the Czech Republic for 2022. For newly approved projects, the payment of support is expected after the end of the provisional budget. More on the provider's website (in Czech).

Defenses of IGA projects

Defenses of last year's IGA grant projects will take place on March 24, 2022 at 8:30 am in the large meeting room of the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Science, 17. listopadu 12, 6th floor.

GA CR – support for Ukrainian scientists and students

The Czech Science Foundation (GACR) is aware of the complicated situation of Ukrainian students and scientists. To help them, GACR:

• Recommends that investigation teams expand their teams with scientists and students from Ukraine. In 2022, this expansion is possible without the need of approval by the GACR Presidium.
• Asks applicants in this year’s public calls to consider including Ukrainian students and scientists in the investigation teams of newly proposed projects.
• Would like to notify Ukrainian scientists and their teams of the option of submitting project proposals to current calls, especially to the new POSTDOC INDIVIDUAL FELLOWSHIP INCOMING call, which allows scientists from abroad to take part in a three-year research stay at Czech institutions. Should there be an increased interest in this call, GACR is prepared to raise the amount of resources allocated to its financing.

Aurora Staff Mobilities

It is our pleasure to announce our ongoing call for UP Aurora Staff Mobility, which will allow selected applicants a short staff mobility to any Aurora University (except associate partners). This call will be open on an ongoing basis, with applications being evaluated by a designated committee every first Monday of the month. The results of the evaluation will be communicated to the applicants within the same week.

This scheme is open for all UP employees and can be used for a variety of different purposes, such as teaching, research, training, job shadowing, research ativities and conference participation (if combined with a visit to the relevant department to plan further cooperation). Please keep in mind to submit your application at least two months before the start of your planned mobility. The evaluation of applications will not take place in the months of August and December, meaning that applications filed in the months of July and November will be assessed September and January, respectively.

This call is open from March 1, 2022, allowing for mobilities starting in May 2022, onward. At the same time, please, keep in mind one of the conditions that must be met: relevance to the 4 areas (“Pilot Domains”) that Aurora focuses on, i.e.:

• Sustainability and Climate Change
• Digital Society and Global Citizenship
• Health and Well-Being
• Culture Diversity and Identity

If you wish to apply, or have any questions, please contact Martina Balekova at martina.balekova@upol.cz. More information on the conditions, selection criteria and the application sheet, can be found here.

Semester stays – Bulgaria, Romania, Mongolia

There are several free scholarship places for semester stays for Bachelor, Master and Doctoral students lasting up to 9 months and study/research and lecture stays for university teachers usually lasting up to 1 month. Deadline for applications has been extended until March 11. Details on the amount of scholarships and instructions for applying can be found here (in Czech).

Bilateral cooperation: Bulgaria – summer courses

Summer Bulgarian courses (in Czech) are regularly held at the universities of Sofia and Veliko Tarnovo during July, with 8 places left for the Czech Republic. The application deadline has been extended to March 11. More information can be found here (in Czech).

Bilateral cooperation: South Korea

The National Institute for International Education (NIIED) offers the Czech Republic 2 scholarship places to study at Korean universities for Bachelor or Master study programmes graduates. The scholarship is provided for the entire Master's or Doctoral study. Part of the scholarship stay is a one-year language course mandatory for those who do not reach the required level of knowledge of Korean. Students are receiving a scholarship of KRW 1,000,000 per month and are reimbursed for additional costs, including health insurance.

Germany, DAAD – Short-term stays for university teachers and researchers

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers short-term scholarships for university teachers and researchers:

• Reserach stays for academics and researchers
• Study stays for university teachers of art and architecture
• Bilateral exchange of academics and reserachers

Stays of a maximum of 3 months can be realized in the period from December 2022 to May 2023. The number of scholarship places is not specified. An overview of the offer can be found here, detailed information is available under the links provided on the DAAD website.

Applications are submitted online through the DAAD portal by May 2; the form Proposal for sending/Application for scholarship (in Czech) must be sent by email to e-podatelna@dzs.cz.

Taiwan – undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (THKK) in Prague informs about the offer of two types of scholarships to study in Taiwan. Each year, the offer consists of: (a) a Taiwanese scholarship program that provides selected students with multi-year scholarships to study Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral programs. Scholarship holders receive up to TWD 20,000 per month and can be exempted from tuition fees at the same time; (b) the "Huayu Enrichment Scholarship Program", which will provide scholarships to participate in a Mandarin Chinese language course lasting from 3 to 12 months. Selected applicants will receive a scholarship of 25,000 TWD per month. Applications are accepted by THKK until March 31. You can also find an overview of the offer on our website (in Czech).

Scholarships for school assistants in Saxony (Germany)

The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS) of the Czech Republic, in cooperation with the Saxon Ministry of Cult of the Free State of Saxony, offers scholarships for Czech language teaching assistants at schools in Saxony. Last year students and recent graduates of pedagogical faculties in the fields of Czech-German (combination) or primary school teachers with knowledge of German (minimum B1) can apply. The stays last from the beginning of September 2022 to the end of May 2023. Applications are submitted to the MEYS of the Czech Republic until March 31. More information can be found here (in Czech).

Scholarships for assistants at schools in Bavaria (Germany)

The Bavarian State Ministry of Education and Cult is announcing a selection procedure for scholarships for assistants in Czech language teaching in schools in Bavaria. Students of third and higher years of universities with German as a field of study can apply, the age limit is a maximum of 29 years. Good knowledge of German is required. Stays last from September 13, 2022 to June 28, 2023. More information can be found here (in Czech). The documents must be sent by e-mail to maximilian.weig@stmuk.bayern.de by May 31.

Research stays: European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)

The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) has a range of student programs. The Technical Program (BSP and MSP) and the Doctoral Program (DSP) are intended for students of technical fields (applied physics, engineering, electronics, robotics, IT, mathematics, etc.). The Administrative program is for students majoring in the management and administration of organizations, such as law, finance, logistics, human resources, psychology, IT, interpreting, public relations, etc. Applications are submitted through the CERN portal by March 21. More information can be found here and in detail on the CERN website.

Research stays: Von Karman Institute of Fluid Dynamics (VKI)

The Von Karman Institute of Fluid Dynamics (VKI), the world's leading research center for fluid mechanics based in Belgium, opens several teaching and research programs for students of engineering and science (weekly specialization lectures, short training program, Research master and Ph.D program). Those who apply by April 1 have a better chance of getting a scholarship, the funds are paid by VKI for the academic year from October to June.

AIA is not the administrator of the program; any queries should be directed to the contact person from the reserach and development department of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. More information can also be found on the VKI website.

The meeting of the Academic Senate FS UP will take place on March 9, 2022 at 15:00 in the big meeting room of the Dean's Office. Detailed information and materials are published on the senate website (in Czech).

Accomodation and dining services (SKM) news

From March the Olomouc University dormitories will be safer. From March 1, 2022, dormitories (Generál Svoboda Dormitory, J. L. Fischer Dormitory, 17. listopadu Dormitory, B. Václavek Dormitory) can only be entered using ISIC cards or blue university identification cards. This system has proven itself for the second year in a row on the Neředín campus. More information is available on the SKM website (in Czech).

Online confirmation of study

You can print your confirmation of study online directly from your Portal.

Parking in underground garages and around the building of the Faculty of Science

We ask the employees of the Faculty of Science UP to respect the internal standard PrF-B-18/10 and park on marked parking spaces for holders of parking cards of the Faculty of Science and the University. If the vehicle is not marked with a parking card, a fine may be imposed by the Olomouc Municipal Police. We also remind you that in underground garages it is forbidden to park outside the reserved parking spaces. In the event of breaching the ban, access to the underground garages may be withdrawn.

Benefit program 'Fort for Ukraine'

During last weekend of March 5 and 6, a benefit program for the whole family called 'Fort for Ukraine' took place in the Fort Science. Proceeds from the entrance fee of CZK 85,000 will be donated to the Memory of Nations collection, organized by the non-profit organization Post Bellum to help Ukraine.

Warning on cyberattacks

Palacký University warns the staff and students of the increased threat of cyberattacks in connection with the war in Ukraine, which has been invaded by Russia. Based on the warnings of the National Cyber and Information Security Agency, vigilance and caution is recommended with the use of modern technologies. If a serious cyber incident occurs, it is recommended to report it via CERT (GovCERT.CZ), specifically to the CSIRT team. Our UP Computer Center can be helpful in this matter.

Palacký University recently created a series of educational videos on the topic of security in cyberspace, which provides basic advice and procedures on how to prevent situations or how to deal with them. The videos can be viewed on the UPstream portal or directly on YouTube (all in Czech).

How to approach students with special needs?

Are you interested in how to approach students with disabilities or what an inclusive university looks like? The Support Centre for Students with Special Needs has prepared short one-hour courses focused on the specifics of individual types of disabilities. All courses that are prepared for you are completely free. More information can be found on the centre's website.

Bike to Work

All May by bike, scooter, on foot or trotting. Join your colleagues, friends or even by yourself in the Bike to Work challenge and support your own condition and infrastructure development for cyclists and pedestrians. Thanks to the Sustainable University, the first hundred applicants from among Palacký University employees will have free registration.

Academia Film Olomouc

Top scientific documents, inspiring lectures, film workshops, music productions, excursions, exhibitions and a program for children. The festival of all film fans and creators of Academia Film Olomouc, organized by Palacký University in Olomouc, will take place from April 26 to May 1 this year and will bring the theme of Hope. The documents will run free of charge at the UP Art Center – Konvikt, at the Metropol cinema, the Regional Museum in Olomouc and other places in the city. More information can be found on the AFO website.

The next faculty Newsletter will be published on Monday, March 21, 2022.