The Employee Newsletter of Mendel University in Brno
Rector’s Awards presented to seven laureates Seven employees and students of Mendel University in Brno have received the MENDELU Rector’s Awards for outstanding achievements in their work. The awards are presented for significant and exceptional achievements or contributions by university students and employees in the fields of science, education, sport and the arts, as well as for contributions to the development of civil society.
Translated using AI
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Rector’s Awards Award for Long-Term and/or Outstanding Results in Creative Activity in the Field of Natural and Technical Sciences Thomas Jung, Department of Forest Protection and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology: An internationally recognized expert in forest tree diseases and Phytophthora research, he has worked at MENDELU since 2016 and heads the Phytophthora Research Centre. His research focuses on forest decline, pathogen ecology and global spread. He has contributed to the description of 117 new oomycete species and two new genera, authored over 100 scientific articles and achieved an h-index above 40. He also leads international research projects, supervises young scientists and contributes to MENDELU’s international reputation.
Award for Outstanding Results in Creative Activity by Researchers Under 35 Valentino Cristini, Department of Wood Science and Wood Technology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology: His research combines arboriculture, tree biomechanics and wood materials engineering, focusing on wood degradation, its mechanical and acoustic properties, and non-destructive methods for assessing tree health. He has authored numerous scientific articles, contributed to professional standards and leads the WooDU research activity on wood degradation in urban environments. He has also participated in projects funded by GAČR and ERC CZ and gained international experience through research stays in Slovenia and Austria. His work bridges fundamental research and practical tree care.
Award for Outstanding Achievement in Master’s Studies Jan Veselský, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of AgriSciences: An exceptionally talented molecular biology
and biotechnology student, he completed his bachelor’s studies with distinction and joined the MENDELU Talented Students Programme. He has participated in international research projects, completed an internship at the Polish Academy of Sciences and currently contributes to an European Space Agency-supported project developing technologies to monitor astronauts’ stress levels. He also collaborates with the Czech Academy of Sciences on soil microbiome research. His achievements include the 2024 City of Ostrava Award, second place at MendelNet 2025 and a scholarship for a research stay at Mälardalen University in Sweden.
programmes and doctoral education, and mentored students and young academics. As Dean of the Faculty and Vice-Rector of MENDELU, she helped shape educational activities across the university. Her long-standing work has supported the modernization of higher education, international cooperation and the development of generations of students and academics.
Award for Outstanding Doctoral Students
Kryštof Král, Faculty of Business and Economics: A student at MENDELU’s Faculty of Business and Economics, he is a member of the Czech senior national sabre fencing team and coaches the Czech U20 national team. He has been fencing since the age of nine and has been part of national team selections since 15. In 2025, he became Czech champion in both individual and team competitions, following silver and gold medals in 2024. He also competes in the U23 European Cup and made his senior European Championships debut in 2025. Alongside his sporting career, he serves on the board of the Faculty’s Students’ Union.
Kateřina Patloková, Department of Vegetable Growing and Floriculture, Faculty of Horticulture: She is a PhD student in Horticulture at MENDELU, specializing in modern cultivation systems, including aquaponics and hydroponics, plant nutrition and the use of beneficial microorganisms. She has led research projects on nutrient dynamics and microbial effects in aquaponics and participates in national and international projects focused on precision cultivation and sustainable food production. She publishes in international scientific journals, serves on two editorial boards and is actively involved in teaching. In 2024 and 2025, she won first place in the student competition at the Trends in Horticulture and Landscape Architecture conference.
Rector’s Award of Mendel University in Brno for Outstanding and/or Long-Term Excellence in Teaching Jana Stávková, Department of Marketing and Trade, Faculty of Business and Economics: She has been a key figure in the development of teaching and academic activities at MENDELU, particularly at the Faculty of Business and Economics, since the 1970s. Over several decades, she has taught statistics, economics and marketing research, contributed to the development of study
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Rector’s Award of Mendel University in Brno for Outstanding Sporting Achievement
Rector’s Award of Mendel University in Brno for a Significant Contribution to the Development of Civil Society Andrea Roztočilová, Department of Food Technology, Faculty of AgriSciences: For over 15 years, she has supported visually impaired children, young people and adults through volunteering and educational activities. Since 2021, she has led summer camps for visually impaired children and young people, and in 2025 completed professional training as an instructor in spatial orientation. At MENDELU, she contributes to accessible nutrition and food-shopping materials for visually impaired people. She also volunteers with YMCA Brno and SONS Brno, promoting inclusion and equal opportunities.
Happening at MENDELU RECTOR'S PERSPECTIVE Dear colleagues, The winter semester is underway, and while the end of the year may still seem distant, only the final quarter remains, bringing several important events and decisions. Our priorities include key issues related to the funding and budgets of public higher education institutions, as well as the preparation of a new Higher Education Act, whose substantive proposal is now nearing completion. For MENDELU, these developments directly affect our ability to expand study programmes, respond to rising applicant numbers, maintain educational quality and ensure good working conditions for our employees.
Sciences is also becoming more evident, as shown by the Czech Statistical Office’s 2024 research and development statistics. The 2027 budget is insufficient to address the long-term underfunding of higher education. It will not cover either the announced increase in the minimum wage or the planned salary increases for public-sector employees. This further limits universities’ ability to offer competitive working conditions to academic and non-academic staff. Nevertheless, additional funding is not our only objective. We are ready to pursue reforms, identify savings and improve efficiency in response to society’s expectations and the changing labour market. However, reforms under the new Act must not be used to justify insufficient funding or made dependent on it, particularly in connection with the planned introduction of contractual funding for higher education institutions. The interdepartmental consultation on the substantive proposal for the new Higher Education Act is expected to begin in the second half of October. MŠMT plans to submit the proposal by 15 October, allowing 15 working
Despite efforts by the Ministry of Education, Youth
days for comments. These are expected to be addressed
and Sports (MŠMT) to secure additional funding
in early December, before the proposal proceeds to
for higher education, the necessary increase was
the Government Legislative Council. Preparations for
not reflected in the 2027 budget. The allocated
the detailed wording of the legislation are also due to
resources will not cover a potential rise in student
begin in 2026. Several aspects of the proposal remain
numbers, new demands on universities or growing
open to debate. These include the principles and
mandatory expenditure. The Czech Republic continues
structure of University Councils, career progression
to lag behind internationally in both higher education
procedures, the lack of differentiation between higher
funding and the proportion of people with university
education institutions, contractual funding, changes to
degrees. This indicates that public higher education is
organisational structures and governance, restrictions on
not a priority for the current Government, despite its
faculty autonomy and the proposed limit allowing elected
significant social and economic benefits. The funding
representatives to serve only one additional term.
gap between universities and the Czech Academy of
Martin Klimánek
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Science Night at MENDELU brought the entire university together This year, MENDELU once again took part in Science Night, a popular science event that offered visitors an opportunity to explore science from many different perspectives. The entire university contributed to the programme, preparing more than 70 activities for the public. From bee dances and the language of neurons in our brains to optical fibres connecting the world, visitors could discover how plants, machines and people communicate with one another and how scientific knowledge helps us understand the world around us. Science Night at MENDELU thus showed that science is not only about research in laboratories, but also about sharing knowledge, curiosity and the ability to look at the world from new perspectives. Photos from the event can be viewed here.
Happening at MENDELU
Infografika k vyjádření Předsednictva ČKR k rozpočtu VVŠ ze 17. 9. 2026 (zdroj ČKR, online zveřejněno: https://www.crc.muni.cz). 4
MENDELU Party in Pictures
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Happening at MENDELU
Welcome Week at MENDELU After the summer holidays, the MENDELU campus once again filled with students, including those who came to study with us on exchange programmes from 26 countries across five continents. Starting out in a new country is not always easy, which is why we traditionally make their first days more enjoyable with Welcome Week. During the packed programme, students got to know the university, Brno and each other. In addition to practical information, a campus tour and their first Czech lessons, they also had the opportunity to discover Czech and Moravian culture. They visited Lednice, tasted Moravian wine, explored the Macocha Abyss and the Punkva Caves, and enjoyed a little adrenaline at the Velká Dohoda adventure park. The social programme included the traditional Welcome Flag Party, organised in cooperation with ESN MENDELU. Welcome Week has come to an end, and our international students are now fully embarking on their studies. We wish them plenty of success, new friendships and wonderful experiences. We are happy to have them as part of MENDELU. An international environment creates opportunities to get to know one another, inspire each other and broaden our horizons. A big thank you goes to Welcome Week coordinator Bohdana Čechová, the entire International Relations Office team, ESN MENDELU, faculty coordinators and everyone else who contributed to organising the programme.
Sekora Under the Microscope exhibition at Mendel University Mendel University in Brno invites visitors to the Sekora Under the Microscope exhibition, which explores the fascinating world of insects through the illustrations of Ondřej Sekora and the perspective of entomology experts. Sixteen thematic panels compare the familiar insect characters from Sekora’s drawings with their real-life counterparts in nature, while highlighting the diversity of insects and their fascinating survival strategies. The exhibition is located in the Column Hall of Building A and will be open to visitors until the end of the winter semester. More information here.
MENDELU at the Gaudeamus Education Fair From 6 to 8 October, Mendel University in Brno presented itself at the Gaudeamus Education Fair in Bratislava, the largest European fair for post-secondary and lifelong education. We introduced prospective students to our wide range of study programmes and the opportunities available at MENDELU. The next stop will be Brno, where MENDELU will take part in the Gaudeamus Education Fair from 20 to 23 October. 6
IRO at EAIE in Glasgow Representatives of MENDELU’s International Relations Office (IRO) travelled to Glasgow in September to attend the annual EAIE Conference, the largest European gathering of professionals working in the internationalisation of higher education. Four days of the conference brought dozens of face-to-face meetings with existing and potential partners from five continents. MENDELU held discussions with institutions including the University of Málaga, the University of New Brunswick, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and three partner universities in Taiwan, from which an increasing number of students are coming to MENDELU. In addition to developing existing partnerships, EAIE provided an opportunity to open the door to new forms of cooperation. Glasgow also offered the chance to meet in person with colleagues from the European university alliance HEROES, of which MENDELU is a member. The work does not end with the conference. IRO is now following up on the individual meetings and, together with the faculties, is exploring ways to turn new contacts and agreed next steps into concrete opportunities for MENDELU students, academics and researchers.
Happening at MENDELU
Taste autumn at DODNA
MIND FEST 2026 at MENDELU Because life is not just about performance. It is also about what gives us energy, support and direction – about people, relationships, values and the everyday moments that give our lives meaning. This year’s MIND FEST will take place on 22–23 October 2026 and will offer inspiring talks, workshops and experiential activities. The festival is open to both MENDELU students and employees, and all activities are free of charge. The event is organised by the Counselling and Career Centre of the Institute of Lifelong Learning at MENDELU. More information about the programme can be found here.
Guidelines on the Use of AI Tools by Students We would like to inform teachers and supervisors of final theses that the Library website, under the Artificial Intelligence and Theses section, provides links to the currently valid guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence tools when completing study assignments and writing student papers. There are two guidelines: Principles for the Use of Artificial Intelligence at Mendel University in Brno, dated 13 April 2026, and Declaring the Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools in Student Papers, which was updated on 10 September 2026.
Do you have a topic for the website, media or social media? Do you have a topic that should appear on the MENDELU website, social media, in the media or through other university communication channels? We have prepared clear guidelines for submitting topics to the Communication and Marketing Office to make collaboration easier, support timely planning and ensure that important information reaches the right target audiences. You can find the guidelines and practical information here. And if you would like to discuss your topic in person, join us on 4 November 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for the Communication and Marketing Office Open Day. We will be in Room A1.14 on the ground floor of Building A (in the former HR Department premises). We will be happy to discuss your topics, communication options and how cooperation with our office works.
Discounts on Open Access Publishing Take advantage of discounts on Open Access publishing in the form of vouchers available from Elsevier. More information about the discounts and available vouchers can be found here. 7
Looking to slow down after a day at work, spend some time with friends or take home a bottle of quality Moravian wine? Visit the DODNA academic wine shop, where you can currently enjoy fresh young wine from the Faculty of Horticulture’s production in Lednice or sausages made from meat sourced from our own cattle and pigs at the School Farm. You can also enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the wine shop, with seating both indoors and outdoors. Whether you are looking for a bottle for a special occasion, an original gift or simply a nice experience with friends, DODNA offers a selection of quality Moravian wines produced by MENDELU, including popular straw wines and other special editions.
MEDIA HIGHLIGHT 1. 9. – iDNES.cz – Just point your phone. The app can detect mould, expiry dates and coins HERE 2. 9. – seznamzpravy.cz – Three leading female scientists working in Czechia receive awards HERE 2. 9. – Novinky.cz - This year’s drought has been too severe HERE 7. 9. – ekolist.cz – Flower strips help protect pine seedlings from pests, study shows HERE 23. 9. – brnensky.denik.cz – The secrets of Sekora’s animals: why Ferda wears a scarf and who might have inspired Brouk Pytlík HERE
Happening at MENDELU Delegations from the Philippines and Taiwan visited MENDELU The beginning of the semester at MENDELU also brought several international visits. Among our guests was a delegation from the Philippines representing Guimaras State University (GSU), one of our important partner universities. The main programme of the visit was prepared by the Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies in cooperation with Tadeáš Hrušovský. We also welcomed a large 27-member delegation from National Formosa University in Taiwan. Following the initial welcome, the programme focused primarily on MENDELU’s research activities and opportunities for future cooperation. Vojtěch Lukas presented MENDELU’s research in precision agriculture, including the use of drones and the activities of the UAV Laboratory. The technical aspects of the presentation attracted considerable interest among the Taiwanese guests. Robert Rouš followed with a presentation of AgriVision’s research activities, focusing, for example, on automated plant monitoring, artificial intelligence, machine learning and the integration of data from different sensors. The meeting highlighted a number of areas of shared interest, and we believe that National Formosa University could become one of MENDELU’s research partners in the future. The visit was therefore not only an opportunity to present our university, but also a first step towards identifying specific opportunities for joint research. Meeting with international partners in person is an important part of MENDELU’s internationalisation. It enables us not only to strengthen existing partnerships, but also to explore new opportunities for joint projects, research and student and staff mobility.
New MENDELU LinkedIn banners available for download We would like to let you know that we have prepared new banners for the professional social network LinkedIn. A banner at the top of your personal profile helps enhance its visual appearance, expresses your connection to the university community and contributes to a consistent presentation of MENDELU to the outside world. The banners are available to download and use free of charge by all MENDELU employees and students. They are available in the colours of the individual faculties as well as in a universal MENDELU version, so everyone can choose the one that suits them best. You can find the banners at mendelu.cz → Employee → Documents → Visual Identity → LinkedIn Profile Backgrounds (Banners) or download them directly here. We would be delighted if you joined this initiative and helped us strengthen MENDELU’s visibility on LinkedIn.
Brno University Basketball Derby: MENDELU to face MUNI On Tuesday, 20 October, from 7:30 p.m., Starez Arena Vodova will host a university basketball derby. Mendel University in Brno will take on Masaryk University (MUNI). Get ready for a clash between two long-standing rivals, an electric atmosphere and plenty of emotion, with fans, students and employees of both universities coming together to support their teams. An official afterparty will follow the game. Tickets are available here – come and support our basketball team!
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Mendel University commemorates 15 years since tragedy in Nicaragua This year, Mendel University in Brno commemorates 15 years since the tragic event in Nicaragua in which three of its employees lost their lives in 2011. They had travelled to the country as part of a study visit, but their lives were cut short by a tragic accident. The university remembers with respect not only the memory of its colleagues, but also their significant professional contributions and dedication to developing international cooperation, education and scientific research.
Happening at MENDELU effectively organise, check and document data, identify problematic or missing information, and work with data obtained from other sources so that it is clear, reproducible and suitable for further use. The seminar will be held in English and is intended for academic staff, researchers and PhD students who work with large or complex datasets or would like to make more effective use of existing data in their own research. Registration is available on the Open Science Centre website.
MENDELU CONNECTS UNIVERSITIES IN SUSTAINABILITY
Training focused on Challenge-Based Learning We were pleased to welcome Milou Kaufmann and Zeynep Gürsel from Fontys University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, a member of the HEROES alliance, to MENDELU. They led a two-day training focused on the Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) approach. CBL challenges students to tackle real-world problems instead of working with hypothetical situations from textbooks. During the training, participants had the opportunity to try out the individual stages of the CBL approach and discuss how to incorporate it into their courses, summer schools or online teaching. Milou introduced the roots of the CBL approach and traced its beginnings to Apple’s Classrooms of Tomorrow project from 2008. Sharing experiences with partner universities within the HEROES alliance allows us to draw inspiration from examples of good practice and creates opportunities for closer cooperation between students and teachers across disciplines and countries.
How can universities advance sustainability? Representatives of Czech universities discussed this question at a meeting of the Sustainability Working Group of the Czech Rectors Conference, coordinated by MENDELU. The main topics included sustainability reporting, climate risks and sharing best practices that help universities integrate sustainability into their day-to-day operations.
Seminar: From Complex Data to Publishable Results We invite you to the seminar From Complex Data to Publishable Results, which will take place on 8 October at 10:00 a.m. in Room M2.11. The seminar will focus on practical work with large and complex research datasets in the fields of natural, agricultural, forestry, environmental and biological sciences. The seminar will be led by Jakub Kašpar, a researcher at the Silva Tarouca Research Institute for Landscape and Ornamental Gardening. Using practical examples, he will demonstrate how to 9
Happening at MENDELU a small, warm pool, where they become familiar with the aquatic environment through play and learn the skills needed to swim. Transport by a dedicated bus makes the activity safer and more comfortable. Live animal visits will once again be part of the educational programmes at Hrášek. As in previous years, the children will meet Coco the fox, and this year they will also have the opportunity to meet a wolf. In the period leading up to Easter, we will once again try to successfully hatch chicks. Our activities focus on discovering nature, animals, experimentation and hands-on learning, fully in line with the philosophy of MENDELU. At the same time, we do not forget about physical activities. Hrášek University Nursery School supports children’s development in a comprehensive and well-rounded way. Thanks to demographic trends, there are still places available this school year. If you are looking for a safe, stimulating and supportive environment where your child can learn and grow while enjoying a relaxed atmosphere, consider enrolling them at Hrášek.
MENDELU Run 2026
EduConcepts: Unique programmes and activities at Hrášek University Nursery School
The traditional MENDELU Run took place on Saturday, 26 September. It is not only a sporting event, but also an opportunity to meet colleagues outside the workplace and enjoy a day together in an informal atmosphere. The programme included races for children and adults, a family run and a relay race for the Rector’s Cup. Take a look at how this year’s MENDELU Run unfolded.
Hrášek University Nursery School offers enrolled children a wide range of unique and enriching activities, many of them with the support of MENDELU. This school year, we are planning even closer cooperation, with programmes for children taking place directly at MENDELU’s facilities. At the beginning of September, the children visited the Department of Crop Production, Breeding and Plant Medicine, where they had the opportunity to become plant health specialists for a while. Ing. Simona Rodopská and Ing. Eliška Tomanová prepared an engaging educational programme featuring a variety of natural materials, teaching aids and an informative visual presentation tailored to the children’s age. This school year, we have also started cooperating with Kometa Brno. Interested children can attend a swimming course in 10
EUROPEAN INNOVPRECMED PROJECT MEETS AT MENDELU FOR THE SECOND TIME
On 16–17 September 2026, Mendel University in Brno hosted the second in-person meeting of the partners of the European InnovPrecMed project, coordinated by MENDELU as part of the EIT Higher Education Initiative. At MENDELU, the project is being implemented in cooperation with the Faculty of AgriSciences, the Faculty of Business and Economics and the Rectorate. The project brings together European partners from Belgium, Czechia, Italy, Poland, Austria and Slovenia and focuses on supporting knowledge transfer into practice and developing innovation and entrepreneurial skills in the deep-tech environment. During the two-day meeting, the partners reviewed the results achieved so far, presented current activities and discussed priorities for the final phase of the project. The programme also included guest lectures. Jiří Navrátil from IP Lab Ventures spoke about the importance of connecting science and business, while Vojtěch Hlavačka presented the BoostUp startup and shared his experience of entrepreneurship while studying. The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss how to further develop the activities, cooperation and international network created through the InnovPrecMed project after it ends in spring 2027. For more information about the project, please contact Julie Daňková.
Happening at MENDELU Join the screenings! at the MENDELU Library The Library is bringing back documentary screenings from the Promítej i ty! platform after a short break. The first screening took place on Tuesday, 6 October, featuring the highly acclaimed film Tatami. The following documentaries will be screened on 3 November (Compost Me) and 1 December (Zurawski v. Texas). The screenings are open to all students, employees and U3V course participants. Teachers can also use the documentaries as a supplement to their classes. If interested, the Library can arrange a discussion or expert debate on the topic after the screening. Feel free to contact the Library with a suggestion or a documentary you would like to see. The Library promises a great experience – and popcorn to go with it.
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Pictures of new employees For more MENDELU job offers click here.
Mgr. Ing. Martina Drdlová
Ing. Hana Dusíková
Ing. Denisa Fenclová
Pavla Gabrielová
Research and Knowledge Security Specialist Security Department (REC)
Project Researcher III Department of Informatics (FBE)
Project Researcher II – PhD Student Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (FA)
Receptionist Facilities Management and Maintenance Department (OP REC)
Ing. Linda Holcová
Renata Kačmaříková
Ing. Maria Mityagina
Research Technician Mendeleum – Institute of Genetics (FH)
Horticultural Specialist Botanical Garden and Arboretum (CP)
Research Technician Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition (FA)
Mgr. Ing. Daniela Němcová
Ing. Robert Novák
Mgr. René Pariža
Head of Department Human Resources Management Department (REC)
Project Researcher II – PhD Student Department of Wood Science and Wood Technology (FFWT)
Project Researcher II – PhD Student Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (FA)
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Pictures of new employees For more MENDELU job offers click here.
Libor Plevač
PhDr. Mgr. Bc. Jiří Pospíšil, Ph.D.
Andrej Rohlínek
Occupational Health and Safety and Fire Protection Technician Security Department (REC)
Director of the University Institute Director’s Office (ILL)
Cybersecurity Architect ICT Strategy and Innovation Department (OIT CP)
Bc. Anastasiia Sierik
Kristina Šatná
Ing. Jaroslav Šeda
Information Systems Administrator Information Systems Department (OIT CP)
Research Technician Department of Furniture and Design (FFWT)
Project Researcher I Department of Silviculture and Forest Establishment (FFWT)
Ing. Aneta Vodová
Ing. et Ing. Lucie Vykydalová, Ph.D.
Mgr. Kamila Wicherková
Academic Staff Member – Assistant Department of Garden and Landscape Architecture (FH)
Academic Staff Member – Assistant Professor Department of Crop Production, Plant Breeding and Plant Medicine (FA)
Librarian Circulation Services Unit (ÚK ÚVIS CP)
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One Day at the Workplace New series in MENDEL News What actually goes on behind the doors of the individual Rectorate departments? What does a typical day look like for colleagues whose work is often not immediately visible, but without whom the university could not function? Our new series, A Day at Work, will gradually answer these questions. The series will introduce the individual Rectorate departments and offer a closer look at their day-to-day work and responsibilities. In this issue, we visit the Legal Department. KAMILA IVANČOVÁ Head of the Legal Department As in other departments, we start the morning by switching on our computers, making coffee and opening our inboxes. At the same time, we go through the documents that have landed on our desks since the previous day. Before getting down to work, we briefly catch up with colleagues on what is new. Sometimes we also have a short meeting to discuss operational matters or current legal cases. Although legal work may seem like a solo discipline, cooperation is actually an important part of what we do. We consult each other on more complex cases, test our arguments and often find that four eyes see more than two.
DEPARTMENT AGENDA • • • • • • • •
legal advice university internal regulations and other regulatory documents requests for information review of contracts, authorisations, powers of attorney, etc. debt recovery guidance on decision-making concerning students representing the university personal data protection (DPO)
In the morning – and often throughout the afternoon – colleagues working on contracts spend their time reviewing contracts, agreements and memoranda. At first glance, this may involve just a few minor changes to several sentences, but, as always, the devil is in the detail. Other colleagues prepare documents for debt recovery. One colleague helps fine-tune a decision in a student appeal procedure, while another is finishing preparations for today’s court hearing. Another part of our work involves helping to draft the university’s internal regulations and other rules. We work together to fine-tune directives, measures, methodological guidelines and other regulations so that they are not only legally sound, but also clear and practical. This painstaking work is often preceded by extensive research and analysis. It is a part of our work that is not particularly visible, but it is essential. It helps us broaden our horizons and gain the necessary context. This comes in particularly handy when we receive a wide variety of questions from colleagues across the university – some of them are so interesting that they could easily make the subject of a bachelor’s thesis. And occasionally even a master’s thesis. At the university, we have to work with the entire spectrum of legal regulations. This is because the university takes on many different roles. Sometimes it acts as an administrative authority, while at other times it is itself a party to proceedings. In some situations, it is a customer; in others, a contractual partner in research and other projects. We deal with legal issues across the university’s educational, scientific and creative activities, and when assessing them, we have to take into account a range of contexts as well as the university’s different roles and positions. This is why routine is rarely an issue here. At the same time, it is not always enough to simply say what is not legally possible. We often need to find solutions that are legally sound while also being workable in the university’s day-to-day operations. Sometimes the day surprisingly goes according to plan, but more often an urgent request comes in and the entire course of the day changes. For example, we may receive a complicated request for information, of which the university receives more and more every year. Handling such requests often requires cooperation across the university, while statutory deadlines do not give us much time to think things through. Not all working days are spent in the office, either. Sometimes we go to court, inspect case files, meet with public authorities 14
or take part in on-site investigations or the drawing up of official records. Today, for example, one of our colleagues is heading out for several hours of court proceedings. Another colleague, who is staying in the office, will send out comments on a contract and a pre-litigation notice concerning one of the outstanding debts in the afternoon. As the law is constantly evolving, we continue to educate ourselves and attend professional training sessions. Twice a year, we also meet with lawyers from other universities, build professional contacts, share experiences and discuss current topics from the academic environment. Our department also includes a Data Protection Officer. They help oversee compliance with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) when personal data is processed at the university. In an environment where we work with the personal data of students, employees and other individuals every day, this role is indispensable. So, what does a typical day at the Legal Department look like? To be honest, each one is a little different. And that may well be the most interesting thing about our work.