Martin Klimánek assumed the position of rector of Mendel University in Brno on March 31, 2026, and will lead the university for the next four years. He was elected as the 35th rector by the Academic Senate in November last year. A new team of vice-rectors joined him on April 1.
Together with the new rector, Martin Klimánek, the university will be led over the next four years by two vice-rectors and three vice-rectors. Not only has the leadership team changed, but the structure of vice-rectorial portfolios has also been reorganised. The position of Vice-Rector for Information and Communication Technologies has been discontinued, doctoral studies will now fall under the responsibility of the Vice-Rector for Research, and the areas of external relations and internal communication have been merged.
Martin Klimánek Rector
“We are living in a very turbulent time, in which universities represent a pillar of education, stability, and development. It is our mission to create a responsible and sustainable environment within our society and to communicate our goals openly.
I will strive to ensure that our research and creative outputs demonstrate clearly measurable growth in quality and knowledge transfer, in direct cooperation with our university enterprises as living laboratories. Our educational activities will embrace modern teaching trends and opportunities for lifelong learning, with a direct impact on improving the quality and competitiveness of our graduates. I will support a fully integrated approach to sustainability and social responsibility, including the implementation of ESG standards across our activities. I will strengthen our infrastructure to make it more resilient and integrate AI in a way that leads to meaningful digitalisation and genuinely reduces the administrative burden on university staff.
We will establish a career system and targeted training for employees, including related onboarding processes and a safe working environment.
Last but not least, our university will play an active role in society by promoting science and engaging in dialogue with both the professional and general public in our areas of expertise.”
Hana Středová Vice-Rector for Educational Affairs
Key areas: development of study programmes, accreditation processes, and the relevant part of the quality assurance system
“In cooperation with individual faculties, I aim to contribute to creating an environment that supports modern, practice-oriented education, the meaningful integration of innovations including artificial intelligence, and the international dimension of studies.
In the context of demographic changes and shifts in the labour market, I also consider the quality and structure of lifelong learning to be essential.”
Petr Kupec Vice-Rector for Strategy and Sustainability
Key areas: implementation of the responsible and sustainable development strategy across all university activities; harmonisation of all strategic documents
“My ambition is for the university enterprises to serve as a primary platform for all parts of the university, while ensuring that faculties remain responsible for the academic and professional direction of their activities.
The strategy of responsible and sustainable development should not be a requirement within the university enterprises, but a standard.”
Robert Pokluda Vice-Rector for Research, Development and Innovation
Key areas: strategic development of research and doctoral studies, effective project support, and knowledge transfer into practice
“My goal is to create an environment where our doctoral candidates have clearly defined support structures, researchers experience reduced administrative burden thanks to professional project services, and the results of our work regularly find application in industry and society.”
Jiří Skládanka Vice-Rector for Quality, Public Relations and Human Resources
Key areas: fostering a positive working environment, improving internal communication, ensuring equal opportunities, and employee training linked to career growth and development
“I aim to support the strategic transformation of human resources through the implementation of modern HR software, enabling the centralisation of requests, efficient management of training, and transparent remuneration.
This will be one of the essential steps, also in light of the European Parliament Directive requiring regular reporting on pay gaps.”
Martina Rašticová
Vice-Rector for Internationalization
Key areas: development of global competences of students and staff, strengthening strategic partnerships with international institutions, and fostering a multicultural university environment
“Among the main priorities are the systematic development of long-term international mobility for students and staff, strengthening language and intercultural skills, and active participation in international projects.
It will also be essential to deepen cooperation with strategic partners both in Europe and beyond, in the areas of research as well as joint educational activities.
I would also like to place special emphasis on the active role of Mendel University in the HEROES European Universities Alliance.”
At Mendel University in Brno, students have the opportunity to participate in the Academic Field Trip Programme, which enables them to carry out intensive field research abroad under the supervision of university academics. These research trips connect theoretical knowledge with practical experience and provide valuable data for bachelor’s and master’s theses.
One such trip took place in September in Taiwan, where students, under the guidance of Ivo Zdráhal, collected data for their academic work. Two students, Nicole Coşansel and Klára Cupáková, had the opportunity to present the results of their research at several academic and educational institutions. Nicole presented her
study “Smart Cities in Practice: Insights from Brno and Taoyuan”, while Klára introduced her work “Circular Economy in Taiwan as an Inspiration for Creating an Educational Board Game.” Their work attracted the attention of representatives of the South Moravian Region and led to meetings with representatives of secondary schools in the region.
In the coming weeks, Nicole and Klára will continue presenting at secondary schools, with their first presentation already held at a secondary automotive school in Brno. Their talk sparked strong interest and lively discussion among students.
The most recent trip by MENDELU students took place in the Philippines, where, under the supervision of Tadeáš Hrušovský, they conducted field research and learned how to translate theoretical topics into practical research.
Two years ago, the Smart MENDELU team was given an ambitious task: to create a modern electronic version of the accreditation file, replacing the previously administratively heavy process. The application was ready by the required deadline of December 2025. The first real test of the new system took place in January 2026, during a closed trial in close cooperation with colleagues from the Department of Informatics at the Faculty of Agronomy. This fine-tuning of technical details was followed by a public test at the turn of February and March, involving representatives from various university units to assess the system’s user-friendliness and practical functionality in real-world conditions.
A key milestone for the project came on March 17, 2026, when the team presented the results of their two-year effort at an offsite meeting of the Internal Evaluation Board, held in the university’s Křtiny Castle premises. The presentation generated significant interest among attendees, and the subsequent discussion confirmed that the solution fully meets the needs of a modern university.
The electronic accreditation file thus represents another important milestone in the digitalisation of our university, significantly streamlining the management of study programmes across all units of MENDELU.
From January 1, 2027, the university, like all other public authorities, will be required to use only a certified electronic records management system (ESSL). Therefore, during this year, an upgraded system from our current provider—already prepared for certification—will be implemented.
From a user perspective, the environment of the records management system will remain very similar to the current one. However, new functions will be added, and certain workflows will be adjusted to comply with applicable legislation—the National Standard for Electronic Records Management Systems. Key users will be introduced to these changes first during a training session on April 29, attended by the system provider. This training will be followed by updated guides and video tutorials, as well as a series of additional trainings focused on working with the system and its new features. As part of the preparation for the transition to the certified ESSL, users will need to finalise their in-progress documents, correctly file them, and ideally transfer them to the records office. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. For any questions or support, please contact the records management specialists.
15. 3. – Brněnská drbna – The Botanical Garden Invites You to Explore Orchids and Tropical Butterflies: HERE
18. 3. – iBrno.cz – Over 300 New Waste Sorting Bins Added to the Campus: HERE
18. 3. – Brňan.cz – People Have Returned Christmas Trees to the Forest: HERE
20. 3. – Brněnský deník – Scientists to Monitor Stress in Poultry: HERE
26. 3. – Agris.cz – Fire Can Help Preserve Biodiversity of Dry Grassland: HERE
VIn February, the first educational block of the MENDELU High School University kicked off. The program is designed for 2ndand 3rd-year high school students.
The series of educational blocks began with the ICV workshop “Find Your Best Way to Learn in an Era of Change”, followed two weeks later by a workshop at the Josef Ressel Research Centre. The program consists of six afternoon sessions focused on laboratory work, new technologies, artificial intelligence, food science, and urban resilience. Students will gradually be introduced to topics across all faculties and the ICV.
The program’s capacity was quickly filled, set at 22 participants, allowing for a more individualised approach and ample hands-on time in the labs. The High School University gives students the chance to experience a university environment before graduation, helps guide their future studies, and strengthens MENDELU’s collaboration with secondary schools. The High School University is funded by the Project for a Sustainable and Modern Academic Environment (PUMA) – CZ.02.02.XX/00/23_022/0008964.
We are pleased to invite you to the next edition of MENDELU Career Day, which will take place on Thursday, April 23, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on the ground floor of Building Q. This event provides a unique opportunity for students to gain direct insight into the job market, complementing their theoretical knowledge with practical perspectives.
Join us with your students for informal discussions with professionals from various industries, held directly on the MENDELU campus. Students will benefit from exploring their future career options, while you will gain feedback on current trends shaping the job market.
The event also offers an ideal platform for building connections— students may find internships, practical placements, topics for theses, or even direct employment opportunities. More information can be found here.
A group of students from Louisiana State University visited Mendel University in Brno, where they explored the university’s research facilities and faculties, including the Faculty of Agronomy, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, and Faculty of Horticulture. Beyond academic visits, they toured Brno and the surrounding region, including Lednice, where they saw the castle and MENDELU’s horticultural research facilities. Another excursion took them to the Moravian Karst and a farm in Domašov, where they learned about practical aspects of agriculture. Their visit concluded with a tour of the Mendel Museum in Brno.
This international visit strengthened academic and cultural connections and gave students the opportunity to experience South Moravia. We thank everyone involved in organizing this now-regular visit.
From February 17–19, 2026, Mendel University in Brno hosted the first workshop of the NAWA project. This three-day international program introduces students from various countries to how sustainability is implemented in organizations, companies, and regions.
The project’s main coordinator is Sylvie Formánková from the Department of Management. The initiative is carried out in cooperation with the International Office of the Faculty of Agronomy, represented by Kateřina Prášková.
More information about the project can be found here.
Third-year students from the Faculty of Agronomy, as part of the course Corporate Social Responsibility and Organizational Sustainability, connected the strategic management of the university with expert insights into corporate volunteering and impact projects. In the first part, MENDELU’s Sustainability Manager presented the practical implementation of the Sustainability Strategy 2025–2030, focusing on integrating responsibility principles into the university’s daily operations and administration. Students learned about modernizing waste management, efficient resource use, and the introduction of sustainable technologies on campus. Attention was also given to the social pillar, particularly the promotion of equal opportunities and the creation of a safe environment for both staff and students. In the era of ESG reporting, working with measurable data and maintaining a unified visual identity under the “University for Life” banner—linking responsible activities across all university units—proved essential. The strategic framework was followed by a presentation from Milan Medek, co-founder of IMPAKTIO. He outlined how corporate volunteering programs can be designed to be effective for both employees and non-profit organizations. “Universities prepare future managers who will implement meaningful programs in companies,” Medek noted. The discussion addressed measuring the real impact of activities and the necessary legal aspects. Active questions from the audience confirmed young people’s strong interest in sustainability as a promising field for their future careers.
Mendel University in Brno has installed a total of 334 new waste bins for plastics/metal, paper, glass, and mixed waste. The bins are placed throughout the university campus in Černá Pole, the Botanical Garden and Arboretum, and the Faculty of Horticulture campus in Lednice. This initiative responds to repeated suggestions from the Student Chamber of the Academic Senate and members of the MENDELU Sustainability Team. The bins are made of metal, feature removable lids, and each has a capacity of 100 liters. Their placement was coordinated with the university safety officer to ensure compliance with escape routes and fire safety regulations. A long-standing issue remains insufficient awareness of proper waste sorting. In practice, recyclable materials are still sometimes found in general waste bins, and flattened cardboard boxes are left in paper containers. To address this, each color-coded bin features clear pictograms, concise explanatory text, and QR codes linking to more detailed information on the EKO-KOM website. Additional internal communication efforts will further support awareness and correct usage.
To improve evacuation efficiency during emergencies, holding magnets have been installed on selected fire doors in the buildings of the Brno campus. These magnets keep the doors open under normal conditions, but the doors automatically close in the event of a fire.
To enhance orientation for emergency services, all buildings on the Brno campus have been clearly labelled, and all classrooms now display room numbers on both the inside and outside of the doors. These measures have raised fire safety to the required standard.
The installation of holding magnets and other fire safety features will continue in the coming months.
From March 23–25, 2026, representatives of Mendel University in Brno attended a working meeting of the HEROES Alliance at Technische Hochschule Deggendorf (THD). The visit aimed to present MENDELU faculty representatives—especially vice-deans for education and internationalisation—with concrete opportunities for further collaboration within the alliance and to deepen strategic partnerships in education, research, and technology transfer with THD.
The program included a series of thematic workshops and presentations, covering the doctoral system at THD and discussing the development of joint study programs. Topics also addressed the HEROES Alliance’s impact on regional development, joint educational activities such as COIL courses, BIP programs, and double degree models, the THD technology transfer center system, knowledge transfer to practice, and the development of an alumni ecosystem as part of the university’s long-term impact. A key element of the meeting was networking with representatives of the Point of Development (POD) and experts in scientific collaboration in IT and technology from other HEROES partner universities. Discussions focused on strengthening joint research activities, sharing infrastructure, and preparing international projects. The Deggendorf meeting confirmed the strong potential of the HEROES Alliance as a platform for innovative education, joint study programs, and strategic scientific collaboration, with MENDELU actively contributing to its further development.
As a member of the HEROES Alliance, alongside eight other European universities, Mendel University in Brno has been working for over a year on creating joint study offerings. The goal is to provide students from all member universities with easier and more flexible mobility through exchange programs.
The initiative also aims to expand opportunities to study selected courses, modules, or minor programs abroad in online or hybrid “blended” formats. By creating modules and minor programs consisting of 15 or 30 credits, students at all participating universities can supplement their academic specialization with courses from partner universities while remaining enrolled in their home programs.
In practice, this means a MENDELU student in the natural sciences could, alongside their regular program, take a module or minor at a HEROES partner university focused on information technology or economics and management. Similarly, students from Halmstad University in Sweden or Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences in Finland could expand their studies with modules or minors offered by MENDELU.
The alliance is also developing opportunities for students to pursue two degree programs simultaneously—one at MENDELU and one abroad—potentially earning two university degrees, for example, from MENDELU and TH Deggendorf in Germany.
The ultimate goal is to create a joint degree program within the HEROES Alliance. Students who complete any of these joint offerings will receive a HEROES certificate that meets all relevant European standards. Beyond gaining invaluable experience, knowledge, and skills, students will gain a competitive advantage in the job market and strengthen their future professional careers.
Registration is now open for the spring edition of MENDELU PhD Week, a week-long course for doctoral students. The program will take place from April 20–24, 2026.
For full details about the program and registration, click here
The university archive has recently been enriched with a precious addition donated by Mr. Vítězslav Müller: a beautiful photo album from the 1920s documenting the first international trips of students and professors from the Forestry Department of the Agricultural College in Brno. The album captures excursions to Switzerland (1924), Slovakia and Carpathian Ruthenia (1925), and Yugoslavia (1927). These study trips, organized by the professors, complemented the theoretical coursework and provided students with invaluable first-hand experience of forestry practices abroad. The journeys were documented by Prof. Josef Opletal, an avid photographer, who later gifted the album to his colleague, Prof. Ferdinand Müller. Prof. Müller served at the Agricultural College in Brno as the head of the Institute of Forestry Engineering and was rector in 1924–1925. The university archive is deeply grateful for this unique donation and welcomes similar contributions, which will find suitable conditions in the archival repository for long-term preservation and benefit future generations.
Join a series of practical workshops designed to develop skills in research data management. These workshops are primarily intended for PhD students who want hands-on know-how for handling data—from organizing and documenting to sharing and publishing. The sessions are interactive, focusing on specific tools and best practices across disciplines. Participants will learn how to prepare data so it is clear, well-structured, and reusable.
The workshops will take place in person in room M2.12 and cover the following topics:
• Making Your Data Understandable: Documentation, Metadata, and Clean Research Data – April 7, 10:00–11:00 (in English)
• Responsible Research Data Management: Ethics, Informed Consent, and DMP – April 9, 13:00–14:00
• Transparent, Efficient, and Ethical Research: A Practical Introduction to Reproducibility – April 14, 13:00–14:00
• Data in Publications: How to Share Data During Peer Review –April 15, 13:00–14:00
• Don’t Publish Like an Amateur: How to Choose Journals and Avoid Predatory Publishers – April 16, 13:00–14:00
The first workshop will be conducted in English; the remaining sessions will be in Czech. Registration is required for each workshop. Participants may choose a single session or attend the entire series according to their interests.
If you missed the ceremonial opening of the beautifully renovated study rooms, don’t worry! All spaces have been fully operational since March 24, 2026, so feel free to visit. We’re happy to see that students quickly claimed these spots for both studying and relaxing, and they’ll remain available throughout this semester.
Mendel University in Brno will be presenting at the AGRI SHOW agricultural fair, taking place April 12–15, 2026, at the Brno Exhibition Centre. At its stand, the university will showcase its activities in agriculture, forestry, and sustainable management.
AGRI SHOW offers a comprehensive overview of crop and livestock production in one place, including modern agricultural machinery, innovative technologies for plant production and animal husbandry, and a wide range of related products and services. The fair also features a professional accompanying program focusing on current trends, innovations, and developments in agriculture. A highlight of the event is the National Livestock Exhibition, providing a complete picture of practical animal production. Combined with the SILVA REGINA and BIOMASA events, the fair creates a space covering the entire primary sector—from agriculture and forestry to renewable resources.
By adopting the new Information Security Management System Directive and registering MENDELU with the National Cybersecurity Authority under higher compliance requirements, we are taking university data protection to the next level.
This step will help us better safeguard scientific and academic results and ensure a stable and secure digital environment for everyday work and study. Building a resilient cybersecurity framework is seen as an essential foundation for the further development of our university in the digital age. For the latest updates, see KB – MENDELU Security
On 17–18 March 2026, the Internal Evaluation Council (RVH) held its third meeting with the leadership of the faculties and the Institute of Lifelong Learning at the Křtiny Chateau.
The first day focused on presenting the council’s activities over the past four years, introducing the accreditation dossier application and summarizing its development. The second session addressed academic staff training, teaching quality, and the approach for conducting a gap analysis of MENDELU’s activities against European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) for quality assurance in higher education.
The second day centered on changes to national quality standards for study program and institutional accreditation. Prof. Miller, Chair of the National Accreditation Office, opened the discussion, followed by a debate among participants on implementing these changes at MENDELU.
The event concluded with a formal council session in the afternoon, during which Rector Mareš bid farewell to the council members and symbolically passed the council chairmanship to his successor, Assoc. Prof. Klimánek.
Mendel University in Brno has published an updated list of partner hotels offering special rates for its employees.
OREA Hotels & Resorts provides a 10% discount on accommodation (5% during the summer season). Discounts apply to stays with breakfast or half-board, except during Easter, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.
CZECH INN HOTELS guarantees a rate lower than Booking.com with a 10% discount and additional perks, including free early check-in and late check-out, discounts at the restaurant and conference facilities, and access to fitness and wellness areas. Full details, including reservations and promo codes, are available in the 2026 Partner Hotels Catalog.
The Open Science Centre invites all researchers and PhD students to a practical workshop focused on the use of CESNET services. The workshop will take place on April 21 in room M2.12 (in Czech). Registration is required.
Morning Session – 10:00–12:00
• Overview of computational and data services available to the academic and research community, and how to register,
• Step-by-step guide for early-career researchers on using selected tools (e.g., Geneious, ANSYS, Gaussian, JupyterHub),
• Galaxy platform for biological data analysis,
• Using AI chatbots to support research.
Afternoon Session – 13:00–15:00
• Theoretical foundation for working with advanced computing infrastructure – NGI MetaCentrum grid services,
• Navigating the command-line environment, managing your home directory, and transferring data,
• How to properly reserve computing resources and run your first task,
• Common mistakes and how to avoid them. The workshop is suitable for both beginners and slightly advanced users.
More information about the workshop can be found here
Based on the assessment by national experts, the international CEEPUS scholarship committee has allocated scholarship months to a total of 104 networks. Mendel University in Brno participates in 13 of these networks.
Additional networks were placed on the reserve list and will have the opportunity to apply for unused scholarship months in the summer semester.
Congratulations to the awarded networks, and thank you to all coordinators and contact persons for their dedication and effort.
On March 9, 2026, the Rector announced the internal competitions of the Gregor Johann Mendel Grant Agency at Mendel University in Brno. Competitions are open in the following categories: Category A – Interdisciplinary Internal Research Projects Category D – Applied Research Projects
Project proposals must be submitted through the Project and Contract Management System by April 30, 2026, at 10:00 AM. Further information is available on the university’s website.
On March 9, 2026, the Rector of Mendel University announced the first round of the MENDELU Return Grants under the OP JAK project “Návraty MENDELU” (CZ.02.01.01/00/24_037/0013865). The program supports researchers returning to their scientific careers after a career break, aiming to facilitate their reintegration into research activities and further development of their scientific careers. Project proposals can be submitted from March 10 to April 30, 2026, by 10:00 AM via the Project and Contract Management System (EPZ). Evaluation of proposals will take place from May 1 to August 31, 2026, and the implementation of supported projects is planned from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2028. Further details are available here.
The InnovPrecMed project, focused on supporting innovations in precision medicine, has entered its second phase. Since its launch in April 2025, the project has successfully built a strong network of partner institutions and contributed to the development of Deep Tech innovation capacities. Supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in precision medicine is crucial not only for the advancement of modern healthcare but also for the effective transfer of research results into practice. InnovPrecMed therefore bridges the academic and application sectors, creating an environment for the development of solutions with real-world impact. The project is funded through the EIT Higher Education Initiative (EIT HEI).
During 2025, the project recorded 947 participations in educational activities, with 68 participants receiving mentoring and individual support, mainly focused on developing entrepreneurial skills. The project also supported four startups in developing innovative solutions and led to two intellectual property applications. These outcomes highlight the dynamic growth of the project and its contribution to fostering collaboration, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer, particularly in precision medicine.
In 2026, InnovPrecMed will continue with further educational activities, including newly prepared online courses on business plan development and an advanced course in precision medicine. Mentoring and technology transfer support will be expanded to facilitate the practical application of research results. Additionally, internships will be offered, giving students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in an international environment and participate in real innovation projects.
More information about the project and its 2025 results is available on the project website. For inquiries, please contact Julie Daňková
The MENDELU Ph.D. Talent competition, which awards supplementary scholarships to outstanding Ph.D. students, has its winners for this year.
Ten talented doctoral candidates advanced to the second round, presenting their research achievements and future scientific plans before an expert committee. In the end, five of them received the scholarship (listed alphabetically):
• Ing. Michaela Heinzka – MOF-Nanozyme Electrochemical Platform for Quality-Focused Monitoring of Phenolic Antioxidant Stability in Anti-Aging Cosmetics
• Ing. Linda Holcová – Synergistic Effects of Biochar and Mycorrhizal Fungi on the Vitality of Vitis vinifera L.
• Ing. Kristýna Koláčková – Microalgal Bioremediation under Coexposure to Microplastics and Metals: From Biofilm Efficiency to Molecular Mechanisms
• Xhensiana Ndreka, MSc. – Microfluidic Electrochemical In Situ Detection of Pharmaceutical Water Contaminants Using Magnetic Nanoparticles
• Ing. Terezie Šlesingerová – Nano-MSN-Based Drug Delivery System in Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane Model (NanoCAM)
Congratulations to all the winners!
For more MENDELU job offers click here.
Ing. Libor Berecz
Security manager
Bursar's Office (REC)
Mgr. Markéta Dokoupilová
Research Technician
Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition (FA)
Ing. Vít Kačmařík
Project Researcher II
Department of Forest Ecology (FFWT)
Ing. Leona Kunc Křikavová
Investment Officer
Construction Department (OD REC)
Jaroslav Podbřecký
Maintenance and Operations Technician
Deans Office of the Faculty of Horticulture (FH)
Bc. Tomáš Šnyrch
Project Researcher III
Department of Informatics (FBE)
Mgr. Karolína Gregorová
Research Technician
Department of Management (FBE)