3-25
The Employee Newsletter of Mendel University in Brno
Žabčice Celebrates 100 Years!
The year 2025 marks a special milestone for the School Agricultural Enterprise in Žabčice – we’re celebrating 100 years since its founding! Join us in commemorating not only the rich history but also the modern direction of one of the most important enterprises connected to Mendel University in Brno. A special exhibition will guide you through the history of the enterprise from its beginnings to the present day. You’ll get a glimpse into archival photographs, research activities, and innovations that are shaping the future of agriculture. Of course, the popular traditional Field Day will also take place, featuring demonstrations of modern agricultural technology, expert discussions, and opportunities to reconnect with alumni and friends of the enterprise. We look forward to seeing you on June 6, 2025, at ŠZP Žabčice!
Major activities in 2024
Stockholm Junior Water Prize
For the fourth time,MENDELU will host the national round of the prestigious international competition Stockholm Junior Water Prize on April 23, 2025.
The competition is intended for high school students who are interested in water and its importance in the context of a changing world. We warmly invite all those interested – students, teachers, professionals, and the general public – to come support young talents and listen to inspiring presentations by the finalists. These will take place from 1:00 PM in room M.12at MENDELU. You’ll learn more about innovative ideas and projects that reflect today’s environmental challenges and offer concrete solutions for water protection.
The winner of the Czech national round will represent the Czech Republic at the international final in Stockholm in August 2025. For more information, please visit the competition website or contact Filip Červinka from the Communication and Marketing Office.
Alumni Gathering 2025 –
Looking Back, Looking Around
Dear alumni and colleagues, We warmly invite you to join us on Friday afternoon, June 13th from 4:00 PM for a special alumni gathering on campus! Look forward to a guided tour of the botanical garden and an inspiring afternoon full of fascinating stories, shared experiences, and engaging discussions with experts and fellow alumni. Come reconnect with former classmates, reminisce about your student days, and explore how the world (and maybe you, too) has changed since then. More information coming soon – we can't wait to see you!
Invitation to the ceremonial planting of a tree in front of Building A
You are cordially invited to a ceremonial planting of a new Golden rain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata), which will take place on Monday, April 22nd at 12:30 PM in front of the main entrance to Building A. The event is held in celebration of Earth Day, with the participation of the Rector of MENDELU and other special guests. The original tree, once a dominant feature of the area, had to be removed due to poor health. The new mature tree of the same species will be provided by the Masaryk Forest Křtiny – the university’s School Forest Enterprise.
Happening at MENDELU
SUSTAINABLE MENDELU
BIODIVERSITY IN THE URBAN LANDSCAPE: EXPERTS GATHERED AT MENDELU
On 18 March 2025, a seminar on biodiversity in human settlements was held by the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology in cooperation with other partners in the Auditorium of Mendel University in Brno. The event included a discussion about nature conservation on municipal land, in urban environments, and also near highways and under powerlines. The main speakers were experts from the MENDELU Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, officials from Prague City Hall, and conservationists from South Moravia. Entomologists and botanists also spoke.
Researchers’ Night
This year, Researchers’ Night will be held on 26 September from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. The topic will be "Wealth" – of science, ideas, innovation, and discoveries that influence our everyday lives.
Fir saplings return home
On 15 March, 175 Norway spruce saplings returned to the Křtiny Arboretum. People brought them in pots, where they spent Christmas – some even for the third time! This traditional event, held by the University Enterprise Masaryk Forest in Křtiny in collaboration with the Veronica Foundation, drew 300 people, including scouts and even a three-month-old helper. It featured a lecture about amphibians and a walk through a valley filled with blooming snowflakes. By planting these trees, foresters are returning firs to the landscape, from which they nearly completely vanished in the past.
International Relations Office presents opportunities for studying abroad to students directly in
their lessons
Thanks to support offered by academic staff, students are acquiring up-to-date firsthand information about placement opportunities and the benefits they can bring. We would like to thank our teachers for working with us to foster internationalization at MENDELU. If you are interested in the International Relations Office giving a presentation in one of your classes, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be glad to talk to students about the opportunities available for enhancing their studies and professional growth.
ESG and business finance: Practical workshops at Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies
How do banks and fintechs assess loan applications? How does ESG affect small and mid-sized businesses – and their approach to finances? The Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies has prepared two practical workshops with experts from the banking sector and academia:
• Funding sources and the impact of ESG on their accessibility 23–24 April 2025
What banks consider when approving loans? How to fill out loan applications with an emphasis on funding and ESG ESG questionnaires in practice, case studies
• The role of ESG in the lives of small and mid-sized businesses 28–29 May 2025
How to create an ESG report and Double Materiality Analysis ESG strategies in business
For more information and registration, click here.
Happening at MENDELU
MENDELU to defend HR Award
A year after submitting a self-evaluation report, we were called upon by the European Commission to defend our HR Excellence in Research Award. On Wednesday, 9 April 2025, two foreign evaluators will visit MENDELU to assess how well our university upholds the European Charter for Researchers.
The European Commission evaluators – Larraitz Lopez and Dario Pelizzon – will assess the implementation of the university’s human resource management strategy and whether it conforms with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers
The evaluation will involve MENDELU administrators, the managers of selected units, an HR Management Office representative, the HR Award workgroup (Rector’s Committee for Personnel Development), researchers, and academic staff. The visit will consist of a series of meetings, during which attendees will discuss working conditions, organizational culture, the hiring and selecting of employees, career growth, and so forth.
This visit is a critical step in maintaining the HR Award and confirming Mendel University’s commitment to upholding the highest standards in human resource management in science and research. Click here for more information about the HR Award at MENDELU
Evaluating higher education institutions
In 2025, every higher education institute is being evaluated following the Methodology 17+ guidelines. Five areas are being assessed: the quality of selected results (M1), research performance (M2), social relevance (M3), viability (M4), and strategy (M5). M1 and M2 together have a weighting of 50%; M3, 30%; and M4 and M5, 10% each. The university and its faculties must submit self-evaluation reports by 31 March 2025. An onsite visit by an international panel will follow (14 and 15 May 2025) as will an evaluation report. After being commented upon by the rector, the report will be submitted to the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports. The results will affect the allocation of research funding.
“Flexi-amendment”
to Labour Code: What can we expect?
In early March, the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic passed the long-expected “flexi-amendment” to the Labour Code, which will introduce several changes in labour law. The bill still needs to be passed by the Senate and signed into law by the president. If it is passed, it will come into effect on 1 June 2025. What specific changes will the amendment bring and how will it affect employees and employers at Mendel University? We will let you know about all the key changes once the law is definitively passed.
Meeting between Internal Evaluation Board and faculty and institute management
On 20 and 21 March 2025, Křtiny Chateau hosted a working meeting attended by members of the Internal Evaluation Board (IEB) and MENDELU faculty and institute managers. The first day was dedicated to a presentation of the IEB’s activities in 2024, a summary of changes in internal quality evaluation processes, and discussion of the rules for communication between the IEB, degree programme guarantors, and the management of the university’s units. In the afternoon session, the SMART MENDELU team presented a newly developed application for creating accreditation files. The second day of the meeting began with a presentation of changes to key university regulations related to the amendment to the Higher Education Act. It was followed by a discussion about current issues and challenges within and external to the university. In the concluding session, participants focused on the current structure of degree programmes and management disciplines, their development strategies, and future direction. The meeting ended with a discussion about the future of ensuring and evaluating quality at MENDELU.
April training for organizational workers at institutes
On X April and X April, the HR Management Office will offer training for organizational workers at the university’s institutes and others interested in attending.
Training will focus on the following issues:
• The flexi-amendment to the Labour Code – planned changes and their impacts
• Concurrent employment on short-term contracts and fulltime jobs – current issues
• The most frequent errors in contracts and how to avoid them
• Scheduling working time and other practical questions
Training will take place in-person and online.
You can register HERE.
TO NEJDŮLEŽITĚJŠÍ Z MÉDIÍ
8. MARCH – iRozhlas.cz – Jak se projevuje stres u rostlin: HERE
10. MARCH – Brňan.cz – Sázení vánočních jedliček ve Křtinách: HERE
15. MARCH – Brňan.cz – Klimatická změna složení hmyzích škůdců výrazně nezmění: HERE
18. MARCH – Brněnská drbna – Chování zdivočelých holubů v Brně: HERE
19. MARCH – iBrno.cz – Jak zvýšit líhnivost kuřat z vajec: HERE
Happening at MENDELU
Audiovisual Centre in 2024
The Audiovisual Centre had a successful year in 2024. In total, we dealt with 731 requests, most of which were related to photography (326). Our creative team created more than 300 hours of video recordings, took more than 170,000 photographs, and streamed dozens of hours of content.
We completed modernizing AV equipment in more than 60 classrooms across the university as part of the National Recovery Plan project, which has significantly expanded the possibilities for hybrid and online lessons at the university.
We strengthened technological infrastructure, expanded our drone park, modernized photography equipment, and took part in many international conferences and research projects. A significant part of our activities focused on providing support to student associations and for the university’s PR activities.
We also provided important operational services. In 2024, we created 4,374 ID cards and provided technological infrastructure for hundreds of university events.
We would like to thank everyone for their cooperation, and we look forward to new challenges in 2025!
Social Enterprise and Non-profit Organization Day at MENDELU
Come spend the final days of April in the company of people from social enterprises, non-profit organizations, and our students. The MENDELU Centre for Social Responsibility and Sustainability will hold this event on 30 April from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., when these organizations will present their work through interactive activities or the sale of their products. The event will also include a competitive exhibition of socially responsible projects by students enrolled in the course Social Responsibility and the Sustainability of Organizations. Some of these projects will be implemented during the event itself. You can look forward to beautiful and tasty artisanal products, a clothing swap, upcycled products made by elementary school children, a fundraiser for the needy, and much more. We are looking forward to seeing you in front of Building Q (or on the ground floor of Building Q in case of inclement weather). Help us bust myths about social businesses and the non-profit sector! For up-to-date information, check out the event on FB.
Trial access to Web of Science Research Assistant
Between 17 March and 30 April 2025 take advantage of the opportunity to test out Clarivate’s Research Assistant AI tool. This tool is available on the Web of Science after logging in. University students and employees can test it. Research Assistant uses generative artificial intelligence to make searching for and analysing research content easier. You can find more information on the Library’s website. We also encourage you to send us feedback, which will help us decide whether to purchase a licence for this tool.
Mendel University Press: Professional science and research publication services
Do you want your scientific and research findings to be available to expert audiences and the public? The university’s press can help you publish monographs, edited volumes, guidelines, and other academic publications, in both printed form and online.
Writing an academic text is a long, arduous, and demanding process. Mendel University Press can help you turn your manuscript into a high-quality publication. With us, your manuscript will be in good hands, as we offer editorial services, typographic and graphic design, and professional printing.
We offer the following:
• Consultation during the production process,
• Complete editorial and graphic design work – professional layout, proofreading, graphic design,
• ISBN and DOI assignment for improved citability and registration in scientific databases,
• Publishing e-publications available here, and
• Legal deposit of publications in libraries, etc., pursuant to laws.
We publish approximately 80 titles every year, in both printed and electronic form.
If you want to professionally publish your research findings, get in touch with us for more information.
MENDELU’s
Success in the QS World University Rankings
by Subject 2025
In mid-March, the latest results of the international QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 were published. Mendel University in Brno has regularly ranked in the Agriculture and Forestry category, and this year achieved its best result yet, placing in the 151st–200th band globally. This marks the highest position MENDELU has reached in the eight years it has participated in the ranking (since 2018). Among Czech universities in the Agriculture and Forestry category, four institutions were ranked:
1. Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (66th place worldwide)
2. Mendel University in Brno
3. Masaryk University
4. University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice
MENDELU achieves historic
success
in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025!
In mid-March the prestigious World University Rankings by Subject 2025 were published. Once again, Mendel University in Brno was included in the Agriculture and Forestry subject ranking, this time in excellent 151st–200th place. This is MENDELU’s best showing in the eight years the university has been included in the rankings (beginning in 2018).
Four Czech universities were ranked in this subject:
• Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (66th place globally)
• MENDELU
• Masaryk University
• University of South Bohemia
We’d like to thank everyone who contributed to this great accomplishment.
From the world of science and research
Grant Agency of Gregor
Johann Mendel internal call for
applications
On 10 March 2025 the Grant Agency of Gregor Johann Mendel at Mendel University in Brno announced internal calls for applications in Category A – Interdisciplinary research projects and in Category C – Return projects. Project proposals must be submitted in the verso3.mendelu.cz system, Evidence projektů a zakázek, by 10:00 a.m. on 30 April 2025. You can find more information on the Project Centre’s website and social media accounts.
MENDELU Ph.D. Talent winners announced!
The winners of the MENDELU Ph.D. Talent competition have already been announced. Ten talented students made it to the second round of the competition, where they tried to convince the impartial expert jury about the excellence of their current results and the quality of their research projects. The applicants with the top five best research projects won supplementary talent scholarships (listed alphabetically):
• Ing. Rostislav Berezjuk - Computed tomography as a new tool for sawlog sorting with prediction of sawn timber quality yield
• Ing. Magdaléna Malásková - Encapsulation of acetylcholinesterase reactivators into solid lipid nanoparticles for central nervous system delivery
• Ing. Ester Maráková - Theranostic lipid-based nanorobots for novel cancer treatment strategies
• Ing. Pavla Přinosilová - In vitro micropropagation of Olea europaea L. with the use of nanoparticles
• Ing. Nora Witkovská - Nano-combat: Advanced antimicrobial nanomaterials against staphylococcal biofilms in bovine mastitis
Congratulations!
MENDELU’s National Recovery Plan project completed: New degree programmes, modernization, and digital transformation
At the end of February, the university submitted the final report on the implementation of the In Mendel project funded by the National Recovery Plan under priority axis 3.2.1. The following degree programmes were created as part of the project:
• Faculty of AgriSciences: Brewing and Malting (a professionally focused bachelor’s degree programme)
• Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology: Nursery Practice and Tree Breeding (professionally focused two-year master’s degree programme)
• Faculty of Horticulture: Nursery Practice (professionally focused bachelor’s degree programme)
• Faculty of Business and Economics: Circular Economics (professionally focused two-year master’s degree programme)
• Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology: Biomaterials (bachelor’s degree programme in progressive field)
As part of this project, the Institute of Lifelong Learning created professional courses focused on education and management and introduced the principles of age management at the university. It standardized the design of certificates and micro-certificates, created guidelines for recognizing education, and introduced the ECTS system. An online course catalogue was also created, and a blockchain system for verifying educational results was piloted. Also, as part of the project, many lecture halls were modernized and equipped with modern equipment for hands-on learning. New electronic tools for managing and organizing MENDELU were updated and introduced, increasing the effectiveness of administrative processes and support for the university’s digital transformation. Finally, the project enhanced crisis preparedness by analysing and reinforcing security measures for remote learning. The project met all key milestones, including those regarding programme accreditation, the implementation of pilot classes, and the introduction of new teaching methods using digital tools.
Pictures of new employees
For more MENDELU job offers click here.
Mgr. Hana Bendžíková
Asistentka pro transfer technologií Referát transferu technologií (ÚVIS CP)
Ing. Eliška Birgusová Výzkumnice projektu I Ústav zemědělské, potravinářské a environmentální techniky (AF)
Bc. Barbora Březinová Účetní Referát evidence majetku (OFU EO REK)
Ing. Žaneta Buchtová, Ph.D. Výzkumnice projektu III Ústav chemie a biochemie (AF)
Ing. Michal Dufek Výzkumník projektu II Ústav informatiky (PEF)
Ing. Petra Coufalová Garantka odborných výstupů projektu Děkanát (FRRMS)
Ing. Zuzana Fialová, Ph.D. Akademická pracovnice – odborná asistentka Ústav plánování krajiny (ZF)
Bc. Martina Garčicová Organizační pracovnice Děkanát (ZF)
Dominik Jakubec Technický pracovník Ústav informatiky (PEF)
Daniel Kliment Technický pracovník Ústav informatiky (PEF)
Bc. Matěj Křížek Specialista controllingu Oddělení controllingu (REK)
Ing. Jana Líbalová, Ph.D. Referentka investiční Stavební oddělení (PRO REK)
Bc. Kamila Lužová Odborná asistentka Oddělení kvality (OVČK REK)
Mgr. Michaela Macečková Odborná administrativní pracovnice Oddělení vědy a výzkumu (ÚVIS CP)
Pictures of new employees
For more MENDELU job offers click here.
Martina Maňáková
Odborná administrativní pracovnice
Ústav statistiky a operačního výzkumu (PEF)
Denis Marchkov
Technický pracovník Ústav informatiky (PEF)
Mgr. Dagmar Mikulicová
Referentka vzdělávací činnosti
Oddělení pro vzdělávací činnost (OVČK REK)
Mgr. Jan Miškov, Ph.D.
Metodický pracovník
Kancelář ředitele (ICV)
Ing. Hana Philippi
Projektová manažerka
Projektové oddělení (FRRMS)
Ing. Jan Pivoda
Koordinátor projektu
Děkanát (FRRMS)
Ing. Jaroslava Skřivánková Recepční
Oddělení správy a údržby (PRO REK)
Ing. Jana Smítalová
Referentka pro agendy vědy a výzkumu Výzkumné centrum (PEF)
Jana
Odborná
Projektové
Peter Špaček, MSc., BSc (Hons) Výzkumník projektu II Ústav chemie a biochemie (AF)
Ing. Ladislava Veselá Organizační pracovnice Děkanát (ZF)
Bc. Helena Zamkovská Výzkumnice projektu II Ústav ekologie lesa (LDF)
Barbora Zimolková Finanční manažerka
Projektové oddělení (REK)
Ing. Petra Packová, Ph.D. Garantka klíčové aktivity
Projektové oddělení (REK)
Šálková
administrativní pracovnice
oddělení (REK)