The Employee Newsletter of Mendel University in Brno
Come to the MENDELU Party!
We’d like to invite you to a traditional informal meeting of MENDELU employees and students, which will take place on Wednesday, 24 September 2025, from 11:00 till 16:00. You can look forward to traditional Czech refreshments – štulpáčky sausages from the Štulpovi butcher shop in Lelekovice, grilled halloumi cheese, bread topped with lard, pork cracklings, or vegetable spread, and deserts. You can also quench your thirst with draught beer or soft drinks. All refreshments will cost the same price of 25 Kč. During the day, you can visit the Intelligent Systems Lab in Building Q or the workshops in Building P. You can also chill out on beach chairs in the relaxation zone. This year you can take part in a plant swap –just bring some seeds, seedlings, or houseplants that are taking up space in your home, or cuttings for propagating plants. You can trade what you have for new green additions to your home or office. Read more about this event here.
Major activities in 2025
MENDELU leaders take part in foreign mission to Japan and Taiwan
In the second half of July, Rector Jan Mareš and Vice-rector Jiří Skládanka took part in the Czech National Agency for International Education and Research’s mission to Taiwan and Japan. It was the largest foreign Czech university mission ever undertaken; representatives from more than 18 Czech universities took part. During the weeklong mission, one-on-one meetings with Taiwanese and Japanese universities were held and key subjects were discussed, including student exchanges, joint research projects, and other similar forms of cooperation.
In Taiwan several universities expressed interest in collaboration with MENDELU. Representatives from MENDELU and National Chung Hsing University signed a memorandum of understanding leading to deeper, long-lasting collaboration. Ivo Zdráhal from
the Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies is already working closely with this Taiwanese school. In August, a group of students travelled there for a visit. Thanks to the Taiwan Education Experience Program (TEEP), MENDELU students can complete a six-month research internship in this country. Research teams at Mendel University also have the opportunity to collaborate on joint international projects.
In Japan, University leaders met with representatives of the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), which offers academic programmes very similar to those at Mendel University in Brno. They primarily discussed student exchanges and summer schools, which Japanese students have expressed great interest in. Here, thanks to international credit mobility, MENDELU undergraduate students can take courses that are required by their study plans. The MENDELU officials also discussed expanding opportunities for student exchanges and internships during a visit to Kansai University in Osaka. At the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), one of the most prestigious institutions in Japan, the Mendel University leaders discussed opportunities for research cooperation and internships for PhD students. MENDELU also took advantage of the opportunity to popularize G. J. Mendel at the World Expo. To do so, the university chose a modern form, one popular with Japanese audiences: comics.
University signs memorandum with village of Červená Voda
The rector of Mendel University in Brno, Jan Mareš, signed a memorandum of cooperation with the village of Červená Voda located in the Pardubice Region. They will work together on education and research, for example, in the field of waste management or in the context of internships, work placements, and student theses. The village of Červená Voda has sophisticated equipment in the school apiary and at its waste collection facility that can be used in applied research. Further professional and advisory cooperation will take place in areas that MENDELU works on and which have impacts at the regional level. A team comprising representatives from both parties will be created to implement collaboration.
Researchers’ Night at MENDELU
Come discover the cutting-edge technologies used by our researchers and students on Friday, 26 September, from 17:00 to 23:00. You can look forward to a variety of events at all five faculties, where you’ll have the opportunity to literally look over researchers’ shoulders and experience research and science up close. This year, Researchers’ Night is celebrating its 20th anniversary in Czechia; the theme will be “Wealth.” Science doesn’t need to be mysterious and complicated. In fact, quite the opposite is true. On this special night, you’ll see what it’s really like.
Happening at MENDELU
2024 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT: PROGRESS AND PLANS
We have updated the Sustainable MENDELU website, which is now more clearly structured, features new functions, and provides more inspiration for living sustainability both at and away from the University. We have also published on the website the Mendel University
in Brno Sustainability Report for 2024, which summarizes our progress in improving the sustainable operation of the University. The document confirms that sustainability is firmly anchored in all three pillars of MENDELU’s activities: education, research, and the so-called Third role of the University. Besides looking back at the previous year, the report also offers a clear recipe for moving MENDELU forward – in the short, medium, and long term. In the near future, we want to strengthen the role of the sustainability manager to connect activities across the faculties and monitor our ESG progress. We will revitalize the Sustainable MENDELU website as a source of inspiration and a place for cooperation. We will also improve internal communication so that members of the MENDELU community know more about sustainable activities. We also plan to expand digital tools to save paper and launch a University “internal bazaar,” a place for sharing equipment and materials that can be reused. In the coming years, we will conduct energy and water audits to acquire exact data for making savings. Step by step, we will be introducing the smart campus concept into practice – from smart sensors to modern building management. We will improve the waste treatment system, and we plan on serving more local and sustainable food in the canteens. New planet- and people-friendly rules will be introduced for University events. In the long term, we will be focused on investing in green infrastructure: solar energy, green roofs, using rainwater, and restoring greenery on campus. We want to introduce electric cars and charging stations, foster research focused on sustainability, and further integrate SDG topics into teaching and theses. We also plan to develop responsible purchasing by preferring local, ecological, and socially responsible suppliers, including social enterprises.
MENDELU at Festival of Science and Technology
From Friday, 5 September 2025, to Sunday, 7 September, you can find us at Pavilion A2 of the Brno Exhibition Centre as part of the Festival of Science and Technology. Every day from 9:00 to 18:00 we will show you the world of giants, the theme of this year’s festival. This year, we will dive together into two amazing worlds. The Faculty of Horticulture will present the world of “micro-giants”: microscopic organisms and structures. The Faculty of Business and Economics will take you to the world of technology and IT giants. We look forward to seeing you there. Entrance is free.
Get ready for plant swap
Do you have a plant at home that needs a new place to live? Or perhaps you have an empty space on a windowsill just looking for a new green friend? Then take part in our plant swap, which will happen during the MENDELU Party on Wednesday, 24 September. Bring your cuttings, flowers, and seedlings, and exchange them for others.
News from International Relations Office
Mendel University has launched the three-year project KA 171 International Credit Mobility, which includes 40 mobility opportunities in Central Asia, the USA, and Canada. In June and July, six students from various faculties visited the Philippines, where they worked on subjects related to their specializations. The trip was coordinated by Associate Professor Kupec. The International Relations Office also contributed to six successful blended intensive programmes and is getting ready to welcome incoming international students.
Professor Adam Pavilion to open
Building D, the Professor Adam Pavilion, has been fully refurbished and features new labs and research and teaching facilities. The building will first open to students and employees of the Faculty of AgriSciences during the Coffee under the Plane Tree event to be held on 23 September 2025 from 10:00 to 14:00. The general public will be able to tour the building’s modern rooms and labs during Researchers’ Night on Friday, 26 September 2025.
Happening at MENDELU
MIND FEST 2025 to offer two days devoted to mental well-being and relationships at MENDELU
On 9 and 10 October 2025, MENDELU will hold the next iteration of MIND FEST, which highlights the importance of mental health in academia and offers opportunities for sharing and inspiration. This year’s programme of events is focused on diverse forms of relationships: the relationships we have with ourselves, others, and the world around us. Visitors can look forward to lectures, workshops, and discussions with experts in psychology, personal growth, and education. The festival is intended for University students and employees. All the activities are free. Some workshops require registration. The festival is organized by the Counselling Centre of the MENDELU Institute of Lifelong Learning. You can find the programme here
Refresh your knowledge and help protect MENDELU data
Online cybersecurity training will be held in September. Don’t forget to sign up! To fulfil the University’s cybersecurity requirements, all employees must receive regular cybersecurity training. The training will take place in September on Moodle. Register through Moodle. You will receive course details by email. The course is already available on Moodle. We would like to thank everyone for contributing to protecting MENDELU data and information systems.
HEROES Alliance of European universities celebrates first six months
The HEROES Alliance, bringing together universities across Europe with the goal of jointly developing modern educational approaches, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, and creating an open, high-quality environment for education and research, has been active for half a year now and is continuing to develop. In the first half of this year, MENDELU successfully met all the consortium’s requirements and played an active part in creating the alliance’s basic guidelines. Although for the time being, the results of this phase are not visible in day-to-day University life, this work played an important role in preparing concrete activities that in the future members of the MENDELU academic community, from all faculties and fields, will benefit from.
From 21 to 23 October 2025, the second biannual meeting of alliance partner universities will be held in Halmstad, Sweden, a significant milestone in the development of our joint European cooperation. The programme will include deliberations about specific proposals for international education programmes, joint courses, mobility programmes, and other activities that are now forming within the alliance.
While the basic framework for these initiatives is gradually being defined, their final form and method of implementation will largely depend on the active involvement of individual member universities. As a result, the participation of and feedback from the MENDELU academic community is critical – together we have the opportunity to influence the specific benefits these activities will bring to our teachers, researchers, and students. We will communicate concrete opportunities for getting involved to the academic community after this meeting is held in the autumn. We would like to thank all our colleagues at MENDELU who have already been involved in the activities of the HEROES Alliance. In the alliance’s next stages, the broader MENDELU academic community will have the chance to get actively involved in HEROES activities. Together, we can maximize the potential of this prestigious European initiative and shape its direction in line with our values, needs, and vision.
Do you have an idea with potential?
Sign up for the Proof of Concept contest and bring it one step closer to reality! The MENDELU Department of Technology Transfer has announced a new internal call for applications as part of the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic Sigma – Proof of Concept programme. The goal is to support the testing and development of innovative solutions with commercial potential and help them find their way from the lab to the real world. Contest participants will be provided comprehensive support from the experienced team at the MENDELU Department of Technology Transfer, which has long been dedicated to linking research and practice. You will receive not only basic patent research and recommendations for further development but also valuable feedback and practical guidance for commercializing your idea. The contest is open to both MENDELU researchers and PhD students. Projects with commercial potential are preferred, but technologies that can be licensed will also be considered. You can submit an entry to the first round until 10:00, 17 September 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to bring your research closer to having an impact on the real world. You can find more information and an entry form here. If you have any questions, send them to rtt@mendelu.cz.
MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
15 July – Impuls.cz – Bacteria from Sahara protect against destructive fungi: HERE
21 July – Brněnská drbna – Mendel wrestles with pea monster: HERE
25 July – Novinky.cz – Heat stress in poultry suppressed by turmeric and skullcaps: HERE
1 August – Ekolist.cz – Fish die-offs in summer months to be more frequent: HERE
4 August – iRozhlas.cz – Substances from Antarctica as new antibiotics: HERE
5 August – Český rozhlas Plus – Coffee trees benefit from proximity of other trees: HERE
22 August – iBrno.cz – Scientist in Somalia discovers new plant species: HERE
Happening at MENDELU
MENDELU Run set for 27 September
On Saturday, 27 September 2025, the seventh annual MENDELU Run will take place in MENDELU’s Botanical Gardens and Arboretum. You can look forward to the main 4 km race and a 4×1 km relay race, where employees’ family members can compete. There will also be a children’s race, live music, refreshments, a bouncy castle, and facepainting. You can register until 24 September 2025. Whether you come to run or to cheer someone on, we look forward to seeing you there.
Open Science Centre
The Library checked a total of 469 journals in which MENDELU authors published papers in 2024 to see if any were included in Cabell’s Predatory Reports (as of 4 June 2025). No suspicious journals were found. Before you publish, you can check journals on this website. You can find information about predatory journals here. If you have any doubts, you can use our predatory journal check service: predatorske-casopisy@mendelu.cz. For more information, see here.
Requests for Micro-Certificates
via Smart MENDELU
A new application has been made available in the Smart MENDELU portal to manage requests for course accreditation leading to a micro-certificate. The procedure for submitting a request is regulated by the Rector’s Methodical Instruction 4/2025, Article 6.
Amended Study and Examination Regulations and Scholarship Regulations
Given the fact that on 1 March 2025, the Amendment to the Higher Education Act (Act No. 111/1998 Coll.) came into effect, the University’s internal regulations were also amended, specifically, the Study and Examination Regulations and the Scholarship Regulations of Mendel University in Brno. Both amendments came into effect on 1 September 2025. A fundamental change to the Study and Examination Regulations involves an adjustment to support for parent students who have the right not only to interrupt their studies and extend the deadline for meeting study requirements but also now to repeatedly change examination dates. Another new change is the possibility of transferring from one degree programme to another. The amendment also introduces the term bachelor’s project, which is now one possible way to complete a bachelor’s degree programme. In addition to national sports representatives, members of the active reserves are now entitled to make special modifications to their study programmes. At the doctoral level, the amendment changes the minimum number of publications required to graduate and the necessity of doing an international placement. The amendment also changes how PhD students will complete their studies. Students who enrolled after 1 March 2025 will complete their studies only by defending their dissertation. They will no longer have to take the state final exams. The amendment also defines the programme committee’s role in implementing bachelor’s and two-year master’s degree programmes and the role of the adviser-specialist in doctoral programmes. On 1 September the Amendment to the Scholarship Regulations will also come into effect. The main change is the introduction of a doctoral scholarship as part of the doctoral income. This scholarship is for students enrolled in their first doctoral programme in the 2025/2026 academic year, studying full-time in Czech or English degree programmes. The amendment also introduces athletic scholarships and scholarships for supporting community activities. More information about the Amendment to the Higher Education Act can be found on the website of the MENDELU Legal Department
MENDELU at Země
živitelka
agricultural exhibition
The 51st Země živitelka agricultural exhibition, the largest event of its kind in Czechia and Slovakia, was held from 21 to 26 August 2025 at the České Budějovice Exhibition Centre. Mendel University in Brno was there with its own booth and also took part in activities for agricultural professionals. On the SMART FARMING STAGE our experts gave presentations about topics such as precision agriculture, the challenges of carbon-neutral farming, livestock medical diagnostics, biological pest control, the use of virtual reality in modelling water courses, and trends in grape breeding. MENDELU’s participation in the exhibition was an opportunity not only to present our latest research and innovations but also to meet with practicing professionals and the broader public.
News from the Library
The Library would like to remind you that it offers free courses and lectures on information literacy. Don’t hesitate to book lectures on citation practices, searching for specialized information, thesis writing, or ethical AI use in the classroom. You can find more information on the Library’s website
Happening at MENDELU
Renovation work continues at Library
Renovation work on the study areas in the Library in Building A is in full swing. We already know we will be facing a shortage of places to study at the start of the winter semester, but this discomfort will be offset by new places to study and relax. There will also be new rooms for individual and group study. All services, including printing, are concentrated in Library A. Materials from the closed rooms can be ordered in the online catalogue. Don’t hesitate to send students to the Library.
Bike storage room cleaned out
In June, the bike storage room in Building Q was cleaned out, and new rules are now in effect. Bikes that were stored there for a long time before the clean-up were removed and are now stored in the storeroom of the Operations Department. Owners can claim their bikes from the storeroom before the end of September by contacting Ing. Bc., Lenka Výletová or Ing. Lenka Klubalová. After this deadline, unclaimed bikes will be donated to the Bikes for Africa project.
First aid training and fire extinguishing demonstration
From September through November, first aid training will be held for MENDELU employees and students. You can sign up here. Fire extinguishing demonstrations will be held on 25 September at the Brno campus from 10:00 to 13:00 and on 30 September at the Faculty of Horticulture in Lednice from 9:00 to 12:00. Participants will be able to try using powder and CO2 fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and fire hydrants.
MENDELU PhD Week
In November the MENDELU Ph.D. School will be held once again and will offer a week full of workshops on attractive topics for all doctoral students. Students can look forward not only to receiving a wealth of information about project-related issues, publishing, and labour law matters, but also a workshop where they can practice speaking to journalists on camera and a lecture in English. MENDELU PhD Week will run from 10 to 14 November 2025. For more information about the programme and registration for the course, follow the website of the Project Centre.
MENDELU Boost
In June 2025 two rounds of the university-wide MENDELU Boost: Start Your Business Idea competition took place. Of the 19 projects submitted, 10 teams advanced to the second round, where they presented their business ideas to an expert jury. A total of 150,000 Kč was awarded to be split between the winning teams, who will have to defend their business ideas in the autumn. Overall, the expert committee awarded the first three places and two prizes. The MENDELU Boost competition was won by the team of Vojtěch Hlavaček (Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies), Anna Palusková (Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies), and Jakub Formánek (Faculty of AgriSciences), who produce BoostUp, a healthy energy shot. Second place went to Alexandr Vránek (Faculty of AgriSciences), who makes 3D-printed auto accessories. In third place came Štěpán Musil (Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology) for his wooden drone business idea. The expert committee awarded prizes to Adam Skřivánek (FBE) for his audiovisual services and Vítězslav Novák (FBE), who makes and sells heat recovery filters. We would like to congratulate all the winners!
Newsletter of the Library and Open Science Centre
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Rector’s Awards of Mendel University in Brno
The Rector of Mendel University in Brno cordially invites you to the ceremonial presentation of the Rector’s Awards, which will take place on 18 September 2025 at 2:00 PM in the MENDELU Aula. The ceremony will include a musical performance by leading artists from the Brno City Theatre. Venue: Aula of Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 1, Building A, 3rd floor. Please be seated by 1:45 PM at the latest. The Rector’s Awards of Mendel University in Brno are given in recognition of significant and outstanding achievements or contributions by students and staff of Mendel University in Brno.
From the world of science and research
Gain new skills in the fields of business, innovation, and precision medicine
Mendel University in Brno, in cooperation with international partners through the InnovPrecMed European project, offers students and academic and non-academic staff the opportunity to take free online courses and receive mentoring. The goal is to develop the skills of students and academic and non-academic staff in the fields of innovation, business, and deep tech with a focus on precision medicine. Two online courses in English will be launched at the start of the semester:
• The Innovation Training Course, intended primarily for students and employees working in the biological sciences, biochemistry, agriculture, and related fields who want to learn how to turn scientific ideas and findings into real innovations and business opportunities.
• The DeepTech Precision Medicine Course, intended primarily for students and employees working in economics, business, finance, and related fields who are interested in precision medicine, technology, and business opportunities in healthcare.
The courses can be taken even without any previous experience in the fields they cover. They are fully flexible: participants can take them at their own pace, independent of any specific subject or degree programme. Successful course graduates will receive a certificate of completion. Selected course participants can also join the mentoring programme or do an internship at cooperating companies or institutions. For more information about the project and opportunities for getting involved, visit the project website. If you have any questions, get in touch with Julia Daňková
Grant Agency of Gregor Johann Mendel
In the first half of the year, the Grant Agency of Gregor Johann Mendel of Mendel University in Brno announced three categories of internal calls for applications. University employees had the opportunity to submit a project proposal in Category C – Return projects, Category A – Interdisciplinary internal research projects, and, in July, Category D – Applied research projects. In Category C – Return projects, the winning project was submitted by doc. Ing. Luďka Hanincová, Ph.D., (Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology) entitled “The Optimalization of Cutting Parameters and Their Effect on Surface Quality When Milling Wood-based Board Materials.” In Category A – Interdisciplinary internal research projects, the winning project was submitted by Ing. Tomáš Do, Ph.D., (Faculty of AgriSciences) entitled “The Path towards Sustainable Biorecycling: Using Artificial Intelligence and Osmotic Methods to Study Plastic Decomposition by the Superworm, Zophobas morio.” The implementation period of both projects will begin on 1 September 2025.
Develop your ideas with mentoring as part of the InnovPrecMed project: Support the creation of deep tech innovations in Brno and the surrounding region
Are you studying, teaching, or conducting research? Do you have an idea that could have real world impacts? Do you want to learn how to turn it into a project, startup, or cooperation with companies? Join the mentoring programme as part of the European
project InnovPrecMed, which links the academic sphere with the world of innovation.
What does mentoring offer?
• Tailored support – whether you are a student with their first idea or a researcher with a specific project, mentoring can help you find another direction.
• Real world experience – mentors specializing in technology transfer, research, and business can offer you practical advice and individual guidance.
• Networking and opportunities – gain contacts from research institutions, companies, and startups that can open the doors to new opportunities.
Who is the programme intended for?
For everyone who wants to develop their innovation and business skills:
• students of all subjects
• academic staff
• practical experts.
To take part, you must complete one of two free online courses in English, which complement the mentoring. You can find course details on the project’s website
How to participate?
Register by filling out the form on the InnovPrecMed website.
Pictures of new employees
For more MENDELU job offers click here.
Ing. Jan Binek, Ph.D.
Akademický pracovník - odborný asistent Ústav regionálního rozvoje (FRRMS)
Ing. Vilma Čičmancová
Organizační pracovnice Kancelář ředitele (ICV)
Mgr. Alan Faltýnek Výzkumný pracovník - doktorand Ústav regionálního rozvoje (FRRMS)
Mgr. Klára Foltýnová Výzkumnice projektu I Ústav zoologie, rybářství, hydrobiologie a včelařství (AF)
Ing. Karel Hajda Zahradní specialista Botanická zahrada a arboretum (CP)
Dominik Hájek Zahradní specialista Botanická zahrada a arboretum (CP)
Alberto Lioy, Ph.D. Akademický pracovník - odborný asistent Ústav teritoriálních studií (FRRMS)
Mgr. Denisa Gregůrková Technička pro výzkum Ústav agrochemie, půdoznalství, mikrobiologie a výživy rostlin (AF)
Ing. Luděk Heralt, Ph.D. Akademický pracovník - odborný asistent Ústav techniky (LDF)
Ing. Jan Kodýtek Výzkumník projektu I Ústav zemědělské, potravinářské a environmentální techniky (AF)
Ing. Patrik Kollaroci, MBA Ředitel odboru Odbor informačních technologií (CP)
Mgr. Jaroslava Melzerová Koordinační pracovník Oddělení vzdělávání seniorů (ICV)
Mgr. Vojtěch Michálek Knihovník
Referát výpůjčních služeb (ÚK ÚVIS CP)
doc. Ing. Vítězslav Novák, Ph.D. Akademický pracovník - docent Ústav techniky a automobilové dopravy (AF)
Mgr. Martina Nuňez Alvarenga Projektová manažerka Projektové oddělení (FRRMS)
Pictures of new employees
For more MENDELU job offers click here.
Bc. Kateřina Opletalová Zahradní specialistka Botanická zahrada a arboretum (CP)
Ing. Daniela Opluštilová Referentka PR Oddělení komunikace a marketingu (KAN REK)
Bc. Veronika Petrášová Pěstitelka plodin Vnitřní správa Lednice (ZF)
prof. RNDr. Tomáš Pitner, Ph.D. Akademický pracovník - profesor Ústav informatiky (PEF)
