sign in sign up
<<
Home , Comenius University, Masaryk University, Round University Ranking

1OO YEARS OF COMENIUS

Comenius University in 2018/2019 IN NUMBERS GRAPHS PICTURES CONTENTS

Management and History and Future Performance Organization Direction in Rankings 4 8 14

Education Science International and Research Relations 15 22 28

Comenius University and Infrastructure Human Social Responsibility Resources 32 40 42 AND ORGANIZATION 5

To 31 January 2019 – and Registrar/to 19 February 2019 – Vice-Rectors From 1 February 2019 – Rector and Registrar/from 20 February 2019 – Vice-Rectors

MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION The university management Dr. h. c. Prof. RNDr. Karol RNDr. Zuzana Kovačičová, PhD. Prof. JUDr. Marek JUDr. Jana Duračinská, PhD. RNDr. Zuzana Kovačičová, PhD. Mičieta, PhD. Vice-Rector for Števček, PhD. Vice-Rector for Property Vice-Rector for Education Rector Rector Management and Investment and Social Affairs

Prof. RNDr. Peter Moczo, DrSc. Assoc. Prof. Mgr. Vincent Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Daniel Olejár, PhD. Prof. RNDr. Jozef Masarik, DrSc. Assoc. Prof. PhDr. Radomír Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Daniel Olejár, PhD. Vice-Rector for Science, Research Múcska, PhD. Vice-Rector for Vice-Rector for Science, Doctoral Masaryk, PhD. Vice-Rector for Library and Doctoral Studies Vice-Rector for Development Information Technology Studies, and Projects Vice-Rector for External Relations and Information Services

Prof. MUDr. Daniela Prof. JUDr. Marek Ing. Monika Tarabová Prof. MUDr. Viera Assoc. Prof. Mgr. Jozef Ing. Ingrid Kútna Ostatníková, PhD. Števček, PhD. Registrar Štvrtinová, PhD. Tancer, PhD. Želonková, PhD. Vice-Rector for International Vice-Rector for Legislation Vice-Rector for Quality Assurance Vice-Rector for International Registrar Relations Relations MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 7

MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION Faculties Number of students 1 101 Number of students 1 020 INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL 126 36 STUDENTS STUDENTS NAMES AND ABBREVIATIONS OF COMENIUS UNIVERSITY’S FACULTIES CU COMENIUS UNIVERSITY IN — FMED Faculty of — FLAW Faculty of — FARS Faculty of Arts — FNS Faculty of Natural Sciences Prof. PharmDr. Pavel Mučaji, PhD. Number of study Prof. Mgr. Marián Vanderka, PhD. Number of study FEDU Faculty of Education — FPHARM Faculty of — FSPORT Faculty of Physical Education and Sports — JFMED Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin 19 33 Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy programmes Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education programmes FMPH Faculty of Mathematics, Physics, and Informatics — FRCTH Faculty of Roman-Catholic of Cyril and Methodius — FELTH Evangelical Lutheran and Sport Theological Faculty — FM Faculty of Management — FSES Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences

Number of students 22 536 Number of students 3 264 Number of students 1 842 Number of students 1 391

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL 2 851 984 671 111 STUDENTS STUDENTS STUDENTS STUDENTS

Number of study Number of study Number of study Number of study Prof. JUDr. Marek Števček, PhD. 860 Prof. MUDr. Juraj Šteňo, DrSc. 80 Prof. MUDr. Andrea Čalkovská, DrSc. 78 Prof. RNDr. Daniel Ševčovič, DrSc. 145 Dr. h. c. prof. RNDr. Karol Mičieta, PhD. programmes Dean of the Faculty of Medicine programmes Prof. MUDr. Ján Danko, CSc. programmes Prof. RNDr. Jozef Masarik, DrSc. programmes (1 February 2011–31 January 2019) (1 February 2011–31 January 2019) (1 February 2011–31 January 2019) Rector of Comenius University Dean of the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics, in Martin and Informatics

Number of students 2 356 Number of students 2 222 Number of students 171 Number of students 71

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL 91 110 4 9 STUDENTS STUDENTS STUDENTS STUDENTS

Number of study Number of study Number of study Number of study Assoc. Prof. JUDr. Eduard Burda, PhD. 62 Prof. RNDr. Peter Fedor, PhD. 129 ThDr. Ing. Juraj Thurzo, PhD 4 Mgr. Milan Jurík, PhD. 11 Dean of the Faculty of Law programmes Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Milan Trizna, PhD. programmes Dean of the Faculty of Roman-Catholic programmes Dean of the Evangelical Lutheran Theological programmes (1 February 2011–31 January 2019) Theology of Cyril and Methodius Faculty Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences

Number of students 3 222 Number of students 2 564 Number of students 2 522 Number of students 790

INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL 159 58 390 103 STUDENTS STUDENTS STUDENTS STUDENTS

Number of study Number of study Number of study Number of study Prof. Mgr. Marián Zouhar, PhD. 185 Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Edita Partlová, CSc. 76 p 16 Assoc. Prof. PhDr. JUDr. Lucia 22 Prof. Mgr. Martin Slobodník, PhD. programmes prof. PaedDr. Alica Vančová, CSc. programmes Prof. RNDr. Michal Greguš, PhD. programmes Mokrá, PhD. programmes (1 February 2019–14 April 2019) (1 February 2011–31 January 2019) Prof. RNDr. Jozef Komorník, DrSc. Dean of the Faculty of Social and Economic Prof. PhDr. Jaroslav Šušol, CSc. Dean of the Faculty of Education (1 March 2011 – 28 February 2019) Sciences (1 February 2011–31 January 2019) Dean of the Faculty of Management Dean of the Faculty of Arts HISTORY AND FUTURE DIRECTION 9

HISTORY AND FUTURE DIRECTION

Comenius University in Bratislava was established on 27 June 1919. It was the first university in to offer higher education in the . Last year we started our centennial academic year, and we organized various events to commemorate the one hundred years of Slovakia’s oldest university. A tram promoting Comenius Pavel Rychetský receives a Grand University’s centenary travelled The “100 Years with Amos” student celebrations Gold Medal. throughout Bratislava. took place at the end of March 2019. Sajfa and Adela Vincze, both proud graduates, came back to the Comenius University Auditorium after a long time away. On this occasion, Sajfa “grilled” the university’s rector Marek Števček, a cake in the shape of the university’s anniversary logo was cut, and we had the opportunity to listen to an array of interesting speakers. In May students celebrated the university’s centenary at the AmosFest three-day festival in Mlynská dolina. University employees celebrated the centenary on 14 June in an informal setting at the university’s Botanical Garden. The university’s Gymnik Folk Dance Ensemble performed there alongside other live musical acts. The celebrations culminated in a ceremonial gathering on 27 June, where the Comenius University Rector presented the university’s Grand Gold Medal to the President of the Constitutional Court of the and Charter 77 signatory, Pavel Rychetský. During a gala evening at the Slovak Philharmonic, a symphonic piece by the Slovak composer, Marián The Comenius University Rector cuts Lejava – which had been composed especially for the university’s anniversary – was performed. AmosFest Gymnik the birthday cake. 10 HISTORY AND FUTURE DIRECTION HISTORY AND FUTURE DIRECTION 11

5 INTERESTING FACTS FROM HISTORY these books differed according to the faculty and the decades during which • Throughout its existence, Comenius they were used. Today, the obligation University has been renamed several to carry credit books is on the decline, times. On 27 June 1919, the National and only a few faculties have decided Assembly of the Czechoslovak to retain them. Republic adopted Act No. 375, which led to the establishment of • The appearance of the gowns and the Czechoslovak State University berets of Comenius University in Bratislava. Following the example academic officials has changed of in and over time, not only in style but also in , efforts in colour. The designs of the first were then made to change its name Comenius University gowns were made to a shorter one bearing the name of a by Josef Vydra and were personality. František Drtina suggested based upon those of Charles University the university be named after John in Prague. They were worn for the first Amos Comenius, and in November time on the university campus on 5 of that year, the university was thus December 1923 during an inauguration renamed Comenius University. During ceremony for the Comenius University the period of the Slovak State, there rector, Stanislav Kostlivý. The style were efforts to rename it to Ľudovít of the academic officials’ gowns Štúr University and thus renounce underwent a radical change in 1940. In everything Czechoslovak. Ultimately, the 1950s, wearing gowns at academic a decision was made in 1939 to ceremonies was considered to be rename the university as the Slovak bourgeois. The last distinct changes in University. However, in 1954 the name the design of academic officials’ gowns of Comenius University was reinstated, were made by Professor Milan Čorba, a and the university has retained this renowned costume designer. name to the present day. • From its establishment up to the • The awarding of an honorary end of 2019, Comenius University to the President of the Czechoslovak in Bratislava awarded the honorary Republic, Edvard Beneš, on 21 April degree of Doctor honoris causa (Dr. h. 1937 was the first ceremony to be c.) to 124 important scientific, cultural, held in the university’s Auditorium and social figures. Since its beginnings, on Šafárik Square. On this occasion, a the university has issued diplomas fanfare composed by Eugen Suchoň in Latin – the ancient language of was performed for the first time. In scholars – and it has carried on with 1938 this fanfare was declared to be this tradition to this day. Only the the Academic Fanfare of Comenius honorary doctorate awarded to the University by the Academic Senate, and journalist and writer František Votruba it has been played during university in 1950 was issued in Slovak. The first ceremonies ever since. honorary doctorate was awarded in 1928 to the historian, journalist, and • In the past, students did not defender of the oppressed nations in automatically receive credit books the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Robert at enrolment, and only “proper” William Seton-Watson, also known university students who had attended The first ceremonial act in the Auditorium was the by the pseudonym Scotus Viator a matriculation ceremony could receive presentation of an honorary doctorate to Edvard Beneš, (“Scottish traveller”); he was a history them. These students were required Professor at the . to carry this document at all times and the President of the Czechoslovak Republic. present it upon request. The colour of 12 HISTORY AND FUTURE DIRECTION HISTORY AND FUTURE DIRECTION 13

FUTURE DIRECTION

The one-hundred-year history of Comenius University primarily constitutes a tremendous commitment to the future. In its first hundred years, Comenius University firmly established itself in Slovakia and in . It is now time to think from a broader European and international perspective and demonstrate our presence on a larger scale. The university has set the following five priorities for the future:

1. Higher comfort for students Among the university’s strategic priorities is the replacement of the existing electronic system for students so that it is more user- friendly and can integrate more aspects of university life. The university website will also undergo a change. We plan on introducing e-applications and are looking at issuing e-diplomas. We are also focusing on making students’ accommodation in dormitories more comfortable.

2. Openness and transparency We want to be open and transparent, which is why we are collaborating with a foundation that can help us prevent potential corruption. Better asset management might create resources that we want to use primarily to support good science.

3. Bratislava and We want to cooperate with the city of Bratislava, work as one team, and help each other. Along with other Bratislava universities, we plan on promoting the idea of studying in Bratislava. Together we are building a contact centre for academic activities for students and the wider community. Bratislava should be an attractive city for students.

4. The university as an important voice in society We want to be a university whose voice is heard in society. We addressed the presidential elections, promoted the participation of young people in the European elections, and actively supported the climate strike. We do not want to be a passive institution. Instead we want our graduates and the public to be able to count on our support on important issues.

5. An emphasis on increasing quality We do not want to rely on our good reputation alone. Our Quality Assurance Council will set up internal control mechanisms. We want to work more on improving the quality of studies. One of the first tasks of the council will be to improve the student assessment system. We will also focus on improving the quality of education by employing the method of peer tutoring and undertaking other measures. PERFORMANCE IN RANKINGS 14

RUR – Round University Ranking Comenius University was ranked 391th out of 930 evaluated universities from 80 countries, which was its best performance thus far in the history of this ranking. It moved up 32 positions from the previous year, thus ranking among the 400 top universities. Compared to the previous year, Comenius University performed better in all evaluated fields of study.

PERFORMANCE COMENIUS UNIVERSITY (CU) IN THE RUR RANKING EDUCATION IN RANKINGS 820 Comenius University is the In 2018 Comenius University 784 763 750 oldest, largest, and most was once again included in 693 687 672 prominent university in Slovakia. all significant international It bases its education on its own rankings, with its position in scientific activity, having the each one depending on the ambition to be a leading centre focus of the individual rankings 419 391 of European education and a and the methodology used. 433 416 university with an international The university ranked better 445 focus. It teaches its graduates to in rankings that also evaluated 496 500 demonstrate the highest degree study programmes. Comenius of personal and professional University is among the top 3% qualities as well as humanity and of universities worldwide. caring. The goal of the university 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 is to enhance the scientific and cultural perspectives of Number of ranked universities CU the society and its economic prosperity. THE WUR IMPACT RANKING This pilot project of an innovative university ranking method created by the THE WUR (Times Higher Education World University Ranking) – the leader in the university rankings – th placed Comenius University 76 out of over 450 universities from 76 countries. The project COMENIUS UNIVERSITY’S SHARE OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN SLOVAKIA measured individual universities’ impact on the economy and more broadly on society. Number of CU students Percentage of students in Slovakia THE WUR (TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS) CU was placed in the 801st to 1,000th band out of more than 1,250 evaluated universities 30 000 20% from 86 countries worldwide.

28 000 18% ARWU WORLD TOP 500 CANDIDATES (ACADEMIC RANKING OF WORLD UNIVERSITIES) – the Shanghai Ranking CU was placed in the 701st to 800th band out of more than 1,500 evaluated universities and is 26 000 16% waiting to be placed by ARWU among the top 500 worldwide. 24 000 14% LEIDEN RANKING CU was ranked 587th out of 938 world-class universities following an evaluation of all fields of study. The university was ranked in individual fields of study as follows: 495th in Biomedical 22 000 12% and Health Sciences, 501st in Physical Sciences and Engineering, 545th in Life and Earth th th Sciences, 690 in Social Sciences and , and 736 in Mathematics and Computer 20 000 10% Science. 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 16 EDUCATION EDUCATION 17

In the 2018/2019 academic year, the university offered a total of THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS AT EACH FACULTY AS OF FEMALE AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AS A SHARE THE NUMBER OF 860 study programmes at bachelor’s, master’s, PhDr., and doctoral 31 OCTOBER 2018 OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS AT INDIVIDUAL FACULTIES DOCTORAL STUDENTS IN 2018 level, in which it was entitled to grant the corresponding academic degrees. The number of offered study programmes had increased Total by 30 compared to the previous year. Comenius University admitted Female International Doctoral Faculties number of FSES students students students 10,264 students, of which 7,070 were enroled in the first year of students studies. FM Almost a third of all international FMED 3,264 2,057 983 259 A significant scientific potential lies in university students in Slovakia study young scientists. More than one quarter FELTH Students at Comenius University. The increased FLAW 2,356 1,379 91 113 of doctoral students in Slovakia study FRCTH interest of international students in FARS 3,222 2,404 159 265 at Comenius University. There were In 2018, the university’s thirteen faculties provided tuition to a total studying at the first and third levels 1,857 doctoral students studying at the FMPH of 22,536 students at all study levels (bachelor’s, master’s, PhDr., is especially welcome. An increase FNS 2,222 1,571 110 380 university in 2018, which constituted 27% and doctoral). Despite the lowering demographic trend, Comenius JFMED of 111 international students from FEDU 2,564 2,351 58 54 of all doctoral students in Slovakia. University has maintained its share of students in Slovakia and has over seventy countries was recorded, FSPORT even seen that number slightly grow; more than 16% of all university amounting to a total number of FPHARM 1,101 880 126 69 students in Slovakia studied at CU in 2018 compared to 12% in 2008. FPHARM 2,851 international students, which FSPORT 1,02 292 36 21 represents 12.7% of the total number FEDU of students at the university. The JFMED 1,842 1,176 671 258 FNS majority of international students FMPH 1,391 574 111 171 FARS study at the faculties of Medicine in Bratislava and Martin and at the Faculty FRCTH 171 18 4 20 FLAW of Management. FELTH 71 31 9 10

FMED FM 2,522 1,404 390 186 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 FSES 790 560 103 51

Bachelor’s Master’s Joint/Dr. Ph.D. TOTAL 22,536 14,697 2,851 1,857

Faculty Bachelor’s Master’s Joint/Dr. Ph.D. Total

FMED – – 3,005 259 3,264

FLAW 1,407 836 – 113 2,356

FARS 1,776 1,181 – 265 3,222

FNS 1,183 659 – 380 2,222

FEDU 1,587 818 105 54 2,564

FPHARM 30 – 1,002 69 1,101

FSPORT 742 257 – 21 1,02

JFMED 71 53 1,46 258 1,842

FMPH 739 481 – 171 1,391

FRCTH 0 0 151 20 171

FELTH 4 11 46 10 71

FM 1,482 854 – 186 2,522

FSES 482 257 – 51 790

Total 9,503 5,407 5,769 1,857 22,536 EDUCATION 19

by the world-renowned CFA Institute, which, among other things, provides students with the opportunity to earn the Chartered Financial Analyst credential, which is a professional certificate awarded to experts in the field of investment management.

2019 Medical Student of the Year Five years and five victories: Comenius University may pride itself with this enviable result following the final of the 2019 Medical Student of the Year competition, which took place on 23 and 24 March. Lukáš Weiss from Comenius University’s Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin became the winner of the fifth annual scientific competition organized The Comenius University ice hockey team are Slovak university champions. by the Svet zdravia hospital network for fifth- and sixth-year students from medical faculties. Third place went to István Bodor, a fifth-year student at Comenius STUDENTS’ SUCCESS Simulated Court Proceedings in including Attila Gaál, who is a wrestler and University’s Faculty of Medicine. He was International Humanitarian and Refugee a student from the same faculty. also the winner of the special category of Slovak University Ice Hockey Law Student Personality of Slovakia the Dôvera health insurance company. Tournament Faculty of Law students, Jana Brezovićová On 12 December 2018, the fourteenth The Comenius University ice hockey and Simona Adamiková, coached by annual Student Personality of Slovakia Štúr’s Pen for Kulturárium Magazine team was crowned the winner of the Viktória Marková, who is a full-time competition, organized by the Junior The creative work of students and sixth annual Slovak University Ice Hockey doctoral student, participated in simulated Chamber International non-profit teachers at the Faculty of Arts’ Lukáš Weiss Tournament for the fifth time. The court proceedings in international organization, announced its winners Department of Slovak Language tournament took place on 7 November humanitarian and refugee law at the All- at the Pálffy Palace for the 2017/2018 and members of the Slovenčina civic 2018 at the Vladimír Dzurilla Ice Hockey European International Humanitarian and academic year. Among those awarded association saw them awarded Štúr’s Pen Stadium in Bratislava. The Comenius Refugee Law Moot Court Competition in were students from Comenius University. (an important national journalism award) ACADEMIC MOBILITY OF STUDENTS IN 2018 University team’s coach was Dr Igor Tóth Ljubljana from 19 to 24 November 2018. Michal Uhrin, a doctoral student from the at a ceremony on 13 April 2019 in the from the Faculty of Physical Education and Despite this being Comenius University’s Faculty of Arts, received an award in the Regional Library of Ľudovít Štúr in Zvolen. 250 Sports. first time in this competition, our students category of Philosophy, Political Science, The Kulturárium magazine received a managed to secure top place. In addition Sociology, and Education. Samuel Baláž, TASR award for its innovative approach to World InterUniversities Championships to the winner’s trophy, the students also a talented canoeist from the Faculty of journalism mainly due to its unique and 200 The Comenius University athletes received the prize for Best Oralist, which Physical Education and Sports, received an unconventional focus. managed to beat 77 university teams was awarded to Jana Brezovićová. award in the category of Sports. 150 from three different continents and finish THE ACADEMIC MOBILITY OF first in the overall ranking at the th4 World 2018 University Athlete of the Year Research Challenge 100 InterUniversities Championships held from On 5 December 2018, the results of a A team of five students from the Faculty STUDENTS 14 to 18 November 2018 in Barcelona. popular poll conducted by the Slovak of Mathematics, Physics, and Informatics More than 100 students from six different University Sports Association were – Ivana Beňová, Petra Havlíčková, In the context of multilateral international 50 faculties represented our university announced at the Mladosť Sports Hall in Natália Jurgová, Ján Pitoňák, and Filip relations, Comenius University has in Spain. The students competed in Bratislava. The 2018 University Athlete Sprušanský – managed to come second been participating in Central European 0 various sports, including football, futsal, of the Year award was presented to out of thirteen competing teams from programmes, such as CEEPUS and FARS FNS FM FSES basketball, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, Karin Freyová, a Slovak representative Czech and Slovak universities in the Aktion Österreich–Slowakei, as well as FMED FLAW FEDU FPHARM FSPORT JFMED FMPH FRCTH FELTH badminton, cheerleading, swimming, and in weightlifting and a student at the local finals of the prestigious Research in European Union programmes. In the chess. Faculty of Physical Education and Sports. Challenge contest which took place on 5 past year, involvement in the Erasmus+ programme has been dominant. Other athletes were recognized as well, February 2019. The contest was organized Sent students Hosted students 20 EDUCATION EDUCATION 21

COMENIUS UNIVERSITY’S CU’S SHARE OF THE TOTAL CU’S SHARE OF THE TOTAL Summer schools particular focus on the years ending with and Informatics. This year’s summer SHARE OF THE TOTAL NUMBER NUMBER OF DOCTORAL NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL The sixteenth annual Children’s Comenius the number eight. This year, a group of schools were attended by over 300 OF STUDENTS IN SLOVAKIA STUDENTS IN SLOVAKIA STUDENTS IN SLOVAKIA University was attended by 345 students European Commission translators and participants. aged from nine to fourteen years, and interpreters who manage the European 255 students received their diplomas. agenda were among the participants. The fourth annual Summer School on In the eighth year of the e-learning International Law, held with the support programme, 189 students out of the The 28th annual Summer University of of Eduard Burda, who is the dean of total of 383 enrolled students received Slovak Language and Culture, organized the Faculty of Law, focused on current 16,5% 27,4% 30,2% their diplomas. The main topic of the by the Centre for Continuing Education issues and the practical application of (22 536) (1 857) (2 851) sixth annual Children’s Summer University at Comenius University with the support international law. in Martin was “Fire, Water, Air, Earth, and of Comenius University Rector, Karol the Human Element”. This was held at the Mičieta, and State Secretary at the The 2018 Summer Theological Academy, beginning of July and was attended by Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Lukáš Parízek, organized by the Evangelical Lutheran UK UK sixty participants. was attended by 88 participants from 27 Theological Faculty and the Institute UK countries worldwide. of History of the Slovak Academy of The Studia Academica Slovaca summer Sciences, focused on the topic of Luther’s school took place at the Faculty of Arts As is tradition, Comenius University interpretation of the Word of God in 100% 100% 100% and was attended by 156 international students of the Trojsten civic association the context of the Wittenberg School. (136 874) (6 769) (9 428) students from 33 countries. The central organized three two-week summer Professor Robert A. Kolb, who is an theme of the 54th annual summer school schools for high-school and primary-school honorary doctor of Comenius University, was a reflection on the historic milestones students focusing on programming, and Dr Eva Kowalská were the main of the twentieth century in language, mathematics, and physics. This took place speakers. GRADUATES literature, culture, and society, with a at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics,

The number of university graduates at all levels of study from Comenius University faculties in the 2017/2018 academic year was 6,046. The academic title of was awarded to 685 graduates, 2,657 students graduated with a bachelor’s degree, 2,360 students obtained a master’s degree, and the academic title of Philosophiae doctor (Ph.D.) was awarded to 344 graduates. Karin Freyová was 2018 University Sportswoman of the Year. Lifelong learning The Centre for Continuing Education at Comenius University provides non- THE NUMBER OF UNIQUE STUDY university education to various public PROGRAMMES (ACCREDITED groups. It provides language training to AND ACTIVE) AT COMENIUS international students, thus preparing UNIVERSITY IN THE SLOVAK them for education conducted in Slovak; CONTEXT it also provides career and language According to the individual education as well as educational levels of study programmes for seniors and expatriate Bachelor’s 152 . The programme portfolio Master’s 148 responds to the current needs of the public as well as the needs of the labour Doctoral 112 market. In 2018 Slovak language courses Joint Bachelor’s and 1 and specialized subjects taught in Slovak The Children’s Comenius University Master’s degree programme were attended by 394 students from 51 was attended by 255 students. countries. The Trojsten event saw 300 people take part. Total 413 SCIENCE AND RESEARCH 23

SCIENCE AND THE NUMBER OF SRDA PROJECTS Fakulta Počet RESEARCH FNS 73 FMED 38 Comenius University is one FMPH 38 of Slovakia’s most prominent FARS 25 research institutions in terms of JFMED 21

the number of researchers, its FPHARM 11 ability to obtain financial support FSES 9 for research, and the results achieved. Science Park 9 FLAW 6

FM 4

FEDU 3

Projects and grants FSPORT 3

FELTH 2 Comenius University received a total of €9.6 million in state subsidies for its projects in 2018. Compared to the previous year, there was an increase in the number of projects and in the volume of obtained financial resources. Most of the funds came from the Slovak Research and Development Agency (SRDA), which provided a total of €6,314,206 for 231 The British theoretical physicist, mathematician, and research projects undertaken at Comenius University’s thirteen faculties and selected scientific philosopher Roger Penrose, who is a major units in 2018. figure in modern science

Most research projects at Comenius University were supported by the Scientific Grant Agency (VEGA) of the THE NUMBER AND SIZE OF SRDA GRANTS FROM 2011 TO 2018 (IN THOUSANDS OF EUROS) THE NUMBER AND SIZE OF VEGA GRANTS FROM 2008 TO 2018 (IN THOUSANDS OF EUROS) Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Sport of the Slovak Republic, which 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 provided support for 342 research projects in 2018. According to the results Number 92 106 135 123 161 176 213 231 Number 463 422 364 359 295 371 357 329 340 349 342 for 2018, there was a moderate increase Current expenses 1,662 1,749 1,629 1,738 1,765 2,031 2,289 2,302 2,342 2,683 2,768 in the volume of obtained financial Current expenses 1,954 3,109 3,849 4,095 4,107 4,945 6,138 6,314 resources despite the lower number of Capital expenses 70 70 0 0 0 0 0 0 Capital expenses 672 659 556 329 422 229 0 0 0 0 0 supported projects. Total 2,024 3,179 3,849 4,095 4,107 4,945 6,138 6,314 Total 2,334 2,408 2,185 2,068 2,187 2,26 2,289 2,302 2,342 2,683 2,768 24 SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

Habilitations and inaugurations Top-class research

In the 2018/2019 academic year, forty-two The highest concentration of top Slovak An original space for the presentation of lecturers became Associate at university research teams – 26 out of a innovative ideas and research projects Comenius University. In the same year, the total of 54 – can be found at Comenius by doctoral candidates and young university’s Scientific Board discussed and University. For students, it is important to researchers in various disciplines is offered approved: know that the top research teams working by Falling Walls Lab Slovakia, which is a at Comenius University, who work in an prestigious international event. It was • eighteen nominations by the international context, also teach at the hosted by Comenius University for the scientific boards of the faculties for faculties. second time in 2018. Out of its sixteen awarding the title of Professor finalists, the winner was a student from • four nominations for awarding the The research of young researchers, the Faculty of Medicine, who went on degree of Doctor of Sciences (DrSc) instructors, and doctoral candidates under to represent Slovakia at the event’s • four visiting professors the age of thirty is also supported through international finals in Berlin. • five honorary degrees of Professor Comenius University’s own grant scheme. Emeritus In 2018 Comenius University provided grants worth €243,340 to 253 projects.

The AMOS astronomical facility and Juraj Tóth

PUBLICATION ACTIVITY AT COMENIUS UNIVERSITY IN 2018 Scientific discoveries and results Network since 2007. Two AMOS systems thus contributing to our understanding of were installed in the Canary Islands in cosmic evolution. Due to the results achieved in science and 2015; one in the driest place on Earth, the ACA, ACB, AAA, ADM, BDM, research, Comenius University is one of Atacama Desert in Chile, in 2016; and one MEDICINE AND PSYCHOLOGY BAA, BAB, Category/ AAB, ADC, ADD, CDC, ADN, BDN, BCB, BCI, FAI Other Total the most prominent research institutions in the Hawaiian Islands in 2018. Faculty ABA, BDC BDD CDD AEM, CBA, EAI, CAA, in Slovakia. The university’s researchers High school students do not understand ABB AEN CBB CAB, EAJ are involved in hundreds of domestic and Are physical constants indeed constant? medical risks international projects. FMED 8 29 17 175 14 0 179 3 1,774 2,199 Until recently, it was assumed that A group of pharmacy researchers led by FLAW 41 7 33 0 0 0 12 0 988 1,081 TECHNOLOGY physical constants are constant and Professor Magdaléna Kuželová focused thus unchanging. However, several on safety issues regarding the use of FARS 41 53 52 22 24 0 45 0 1,048 1,285 The AMOS cutting-edge astronomical theories, such as the dark matter theory, among adolescents. The FNS 18 21 2 361 45 0 142 0 1,048 1,637 system in the Hawaiian Islands have predicted that some fundamental findings collected at twelve Slovak schools FEDU 33 22 18 4 4 0 18 1 547 647 constants may oscillate. This specifically highlighted an alarming lack of awareness Having been installed in astronomical refers to the µ [mi] constant, which among Slovak high school students FPHARM 2 3 1 66 2 0 23 0 334 431 observatories located at an altitude of represents the ratio of the weight of concerning the use of medicines, and FSPORT 6 5 8 7 0 0 30 2 250 308 over 2,300 metres (up to an altitude of protons to that of electrons as well as the particularly their improper use, which can 4,000 metres) in areas with dark skies fine-structure constant, which Richard present serious health risks. They also JFMED 8 17 5 117 6 0 94 4 760 1,011 and excellent observation conditions, Feynman called the “greatest mystery demonstrated that girls tend to be more FMPH 7 7 4 307 6 0 36 0 455 822 the AMOS sky observation system of modern physics”. The fundamental knowledgeable about the risks related to achieves a high efficiency. One camera question of whether core physical individual groups of medicines and more FRCTH 4 2 3 0 0 0 1 0 95 105 annually records about 10,000 meteors, constants are indeed constant is currently often discuss the use of medicines with FELTH 4 1 10 0 1 0 0 0 38 54 50 atmospheric light phenomena, and being researched by Dr Lukáš F. Pašteka their parents than boys do. other events. A team of researchers and his international team. They are FM 5 10 7 7 1 0 17 0 279 326 led by Associate Professor Juraj Tóth proposing a new method which could Students developed a device to measure FSES 1 3 4 8 5 0 11 0 108 140 obtained a patent licence for the system. lead to the first successful detection of several physiological functions at once Its prototypes have been used at four dark matter and the first measurement Total 178 180 164 1,074 108 0 608 10 7,724 10,046 stations within the Slovak Video Meteor of changes in fundamental constants, Large and costly devices can be replaced SCIENCE AND RESEARCH 27

systems of irrigation of terraced fields in THE OPENING OF SPECIALIZATION The aim of experts from the Faculty of mountainous areas and the drainage of CENTRES Physical Education and Spors at Comenius swamplands in the lowlands. University and the Institute of Physical A modern multimedia studio for future Medicine in St Pölten in Austria is to A new species of snake is named after a journalists improve the conditions for the effective long-forgotten kingdom provision of preventive care and support Since the beginning of 2019, students for the health of the elderly, and thus An international team headed by Dr of journalism at Comenius University contribute to their better social inclusion. Daniel Jablonski and Dr David Jandzík have been able to use a new modern discovered a new species of snake in multimedia studio with modern recording A laboratory for the “healthy life” of the geopolitically complicated area of technology. Future journalists focusing seniors Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Iraq, on audio-visual work can learn how to Iran, and Russia, including a small area work with their voices, interpret texts, The average life span of Slovaks is nearly reaching into Europe itself. By analysing conduct interviews, and edit recordings 74 years, but the average length of a both genetic and morphological data, the as a part of the Media Studio and Creative “healthy life” is only 54.5 years for men researchers found that the Blotched snake Studio practical courses taught at the and 57 years for women. Through a (Elaphe sauromates) actually included Department of Journalism. project entitled “Nutrition and Healthy another species that they named Elaphe Ageing (Nutriageing)”, scientists from urartica after the ancient kingdom of The Centre of Active Ageing for the the Faculty of Medicine at Comenius Urartu. This discovery of a new species better social inclusion of seniors University and the and the analysis of its biogeography want to increase awareness about is an important step towards gaining The favourable effects of physical activity nutrition among seniors. The project aims knowledge of the formation and for seniors, who are among the most to monitor the impact of certain nutrients development of life forms in Europe and passive groups of the population, is and physical activity on the health of Asia. something a new project at Comenius seniors. University is hoping to implement. The students who developed the S-Case

by the S-Case medical technological People suffering from schizophrenia ARCHAEOLOGY AND ANIMAL device, which is the size of a smartphone have difficulty recognizing emotions DISCOVERIES and which will be able to measure multiple physiological functions in people without Schizophrenia affects one per cent of the Exceptional archaeological research in the presence of medical personnel. population in Slovakia (i.e., about 50,000 the Guatemalan rainforest This device was developed by a team people). The ability of these patients to of students from Comenius University function in everyday conditions depends Hundreds of ancient cities and thousands in Bratislava and the Slovak University on their “social cognition”. Dr Michal of buildings from the times of the of Technology in Bratislava working Hajdúk examines social cognition, which ancient Maya civilization were discovered under the leadership of Martin Pekarčík. is a set of skills through which people over the course of one year in the It includes an electrocardiograph, an perceive and process social stimuli such as Guatemalan province of Petén, which oximeter, a thermometer for measuring facial expressions, intentions, and beliefs. is three quarters the size of Slovakia. A the internal body temperature as well In collaboration with colleagues from the Slovak research team led by Associate as the environmental temperature, a , he found out that nearly Professor Milan Kováč became part of glucometer, a heart rate monitor, and a 75 per cent of schizophrenia patients an international research consortium blood pressure monitor. The S-Case will be have mild to severe difficulties in reading which started searching for traces of particularly useful for doctors working in emotional expressions and judging what the civilization in the impenetrable developing countries or in refugee camps, other people think. Therefore, social Guatemalan jungle using the new LiDAR because it will enable a quick diagnosis of cognition training may be an appropriate technology of airborne laser scanning. The large numbers of individuals. complement to standard therapy. research revealed sophisticated agrarian INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 29

Central European regional colloquium. The event was attended by over 100 experts on Dutch language and culture from twenty countries. They presented dozens of topical papers in areas such as translation, interpretation, linguistics, literature, and cultural history in the spirit INTERNATIONAL of the slogan of “Building Bridges”.

RELATIONS SIGNIFICANT VISITORS TO COMENIUS UNIVERSITY

The 2018/2019 academic year On 18 September 2018, Comenius at Comenius University was University welcomed Professor Hiroshi Amano from Nagoya University in Japan. successful and rich in significant He delivered a lecture on “Lighting the events. On the occasion of its Earth with LEDs” in the Rector’s Hall. centennial, the university hosted Amano is one of the most prominent the annual meetings of three Japanese physicists and inventors in the area of semiconductor technologies. He large international associations was awarded the 2014 Nobel Prize in of which it is a member: the Physics alongside Isamu Akasaki and Shuji , the Danube Nakamura for the invention of efficient Rectors’ Conference, and the blue-light emitting diodes, which have brought bright and energy-saving sources UNICA Network. Comenius University hosted the Danube Rectors’ Conference. of white light.

As a part of the Going Global project, INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES Comenius University in partnership with the centennial of the first Czechoslovak women. The conference introduced Universität in Innsbruck, Austria, and whose aim is to improve the quality of the Institute of Archaeology at the Slovak Republic by organizing a seminar entitled gender, the position of women and men, the Open University from the United education at Comenius University through In partnership with the Faculty of Academy of Sciences. The papers that “Slovakia in : Issues One and various aspects of their lives in this Kingdom. The project, whose main its internationalization, the university Management at Comenius University, the were presented focused on depots of Hundred Years after the Establishment period. The conference was organized coordinator was Professor Štefan Matejčík was visited on 9 October 2018 by Dr Sam Slovak Economic Association organized bronze and ceramic artefacts and analyses of the Common State”. The seminar by the Department of General History from the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics, Potolicchio from the McCourt School of the annual Slovak Economic Association of settlement structures and their basic clarified several aspects of the period at the Faculty of Arts in partnership with and Informatics at Comenius University, Public Policy, Georgetown University Meeting at the faculty on 21 and 22 forms. when Czechoslovakia was formed as well the Centre for Holocaust Studies at the sought to promote the Electron and (United States). He is the founder and September 2018. It attracted numerous as the history of the establishment of Institute for Contemporary History in Plasma Physics Laboratory at the faculty. president of a programme educating foreign participants. One hundred From 24 to 26 October 2018, the Comenius University, which was about a Munich, Germany, and the Institute of On 14 and 15 February 2019, the future leaders from over 100 countries. and sixty authors and co-authors from Department of the New Testament at the year younger than Czechoslovakia. The History at the Slovak Academy of Sciences. Faculty of Law at Comenius University He delivered a lecture on “The Future over 100 institutions and 23 countries Evangelical Lutheran Theological Faculty Faculty of Arts unveiled a memorial plaque The conference also introduced a virtual held the Bratislava Legal Forum. At this of American Global Leadership” at the presented more than 100 papers covering of Comenius University organized an on its building, which is the former site museum of Gisa Fleischmann, who actively international academic conference, Faculty of Arts. nearly all areas of economic research. international conference on the topic of of the Ministry for the Administration of contributed to saving Slovak Jews from which focused on the independence and The keynote speakers were Wendi Carlin “The Apostle Paul’s Testimony in the Context Slovakia (the highest government body of deportation. the ethical dimension of the exercise of On 15 October 2018, the Auditorium held (University College London) and Gérard of Second Temple Period Judaism”, which the newly-formed Czechoslovak Republic judicial power, prominent representatives a discussion on “The Price of Freedom” Roland (University of California, Berkeley). aimed to introduce undertaken research in Slovakia). As the main coordinator of the first of legal studies and practice discussed as part of the One World international to the Slovak academic community, successful twinning project within Horizon law enforcement in the digital society documentary film festival. It featured From 15 to 19 October 2018, Smolenice build on its results, and define how The aim of the “If This Is a Woman” 2020 in Slovakia, Comenius University and the importance of judicial power in Professor Timothy Snyder from Yale hosted the fifteenth year of the these results can be used in the area of international academic conference, organized its closing international environmental protection. University, who is a famous writer and Urnfield Period and the Hallstatt Period ecumenical and interreligious dialogue. which was held from 21 to 23 January conference focusing on excellence in historian specializing in the history international archaeological conference, 2019 at Comenius University, was to electron technologies. The partners of the From 29 May to 1 June 2019, the Faculty of Central and Eastern Europe, the which was organized by the Department On 29 October 2018, the Faculty of Arts present Holocaust and Second World ELEvaTE project (Excellence in Electron of Arts at Comenius University hosted Holocaust, and the challenges that liberal of Archaeology at the Faculty of Arts at at Comenius University commemorated War research from the perspective of Technologies) were Leopold-Franzens- the thirteenth year of the Neerlandicum face. 30 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 31

On 8 December 2018, Comenius On 29 April 2019, Slovakia welcomed University hosted the eighth lecture by Professor Klaus von Klitzing, a German a Pulitzer Prize winner in partnership physicist who is famous for his discovery with the Tatra Banka Foundation and the of the integer quantum Hall effect, for Petit Academy. This time the university which he received the 1985 Nobel Prize welcomed Ian Johnson, who gave a talk in Physics. He is the director of the Max entitled “The Rise of a New Superpower” Planck Institute for Solid State Research in the Auditorium. Johnson is a writer and in Stuttgart, and he gave a lecture at the journalist focusing on society, religion, and Slovak University of Technology about why history who is currently writing for The it was necessary to change the definition New York Times and The New York Review of a kilogram. His visit was co-organized by of Books. He spoke about the extensive Comenius University. changes that China had undergone as it transformed from a poor country to one On 3 June 2019, on the occasion of of the world’s superpowers. the fifteenth anniversary of Slovakia’s entry into the North Atlantic Treaty On 14 December 2018, Comenius Organization, the university welcomed University was visited by Professor Odile Madeleine Moon, who is the President of Eisenstein from the . the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. She She is the president of the International talked to the university’s students also as Academy of Quantum Molecular Sciences, a long-term member of the lower house which is made up of the most successful of Parliament in the United Kingdom who scientists in the field of theoretical focuses on the alliance’s future security chemistry. Her talk on the study of and defence strategy. chemical shifts in the NMR spectra of organometallic compounds attracted On 27 August 2019, Paul Seymour from scientists interested in theoretical and Princeton University in New Jersey (United experimental chemistry. States) received a Commemorative Medal from Comenius University. The Professor, On 14 and 15 February 2019, originally from Britain, is an elite academic Comenius University hosted Sir Roger in discrete mathematics and a winner of Penrose, a British theoretical physicist, several significant awards in this area. mathematician, and scientific philosopher He visited the university while appearing from the University of Oxford. He had as a keynote speaker at the European come to Slovakia to attend the Quantum Conference on Combinatorics, Graph Spacetime ‘19 conference held at Theory, and their Applications, which took Comenius University. Sir Roger Penrose, place at Comenius University. who is considered one of the leading contemporary scientists, talked on the On 9 September 2019, Slovakia was topic of “Are We Seeing Hawking Points visited by another honoured guest: in the Cosmic Microwave Background?” in Ben Lucas Feringa, a Dutch Professor the Auditorium. from the University of Groningen, who was awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in On 14 March 2019, the Rector’s Hall held Chemistry alongside Professor Jean-Pierre the presentation of the book “A History Sauvage and Sir James Fraser Stoddart of Transylvania”, which is about the for the design and synthesis of molecular formation of modern Romania after the machines. In the Auditorium, he talked First World War. The book was presented about nanorobots as the future of science Nobel Prize winner Ben Feringa spoke at Comenius by one of its authors, Professor Ioan Aurel and received the university’s Grand Gold University about nanorobots. Pop, who is the Rector of Babes-Bolyai Medal from the Rector. University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and the Chairman of the Romanian Academy. COMENIUS UNIVERSITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 33

Science and Technology Week “Fifteen years of encounters with science! Explore it together with us!” This was the motto of the fifteenth anniversary year of Science and Technology Week in Slovakia, organized annually by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Sport of the Slovak Republic in COMENIUS cooperation with the Slovak Centre of Scientific and Technical Information. Several faculties UNIVERSITY of Comenius University participated in over four hundred events across Slovakia which culminated in the “Scientific Autumn”, which AND SOCIAL took place from 5 to 11 November 2018.

RESPONSIBILITY Science Fair In cooperation with the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics, and Informatics of Comenius University Slovak society and the “national” and the Slovak University of Technology, the university are closely intertwined. Veda nás baví (We enjoy science) non-profit Comenius University educates organization organized the fourth year of the and forms future generations in Science Fair on 13 September 2019. In the square next to the Eurovea Shopping Centre, a comprehensive way. Our future European Researchers’ Night Science Fair young and old science fans had the opportunity depends on the fact of whether the to see various demonstrations from the fields university can successfully fulfil its of robotics, electrical engineering, astronomy, basic mission. diverse chemical experiments, and physical phenomena.

WE WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WE POPULARIZE SCIENCE Comenius University ensures the quality of its The basic mission of the university is to develop education by accepting the best students and and spread education by disseminating scientific actively looking for them and working with them knowledge among students and the general in primary and secondary schools. public. The AKADÉMIA & VAPAC® Education Fair European Researchers’ Night From 9 to 11 October 2018, the Aegon Arena On 28 September 2018, Comenius University NTC in Bratislava welcomed thousands of took part in the twelfth year of European secondary school students interested in Researchers’ Night, which is organized in more educational opportunities at universities for than 350 cities across 30 European countries. the 22nd time at the AKADÉMIA & VAPAC® As is tradition, Comenius University experts education fair. All twelve Bratislava-based prepared interesting lectures and interactive faculties of Comenius University were activities at scientific booths for the visitors represented. This is the largest international of this festival, which had the motto “The education and career fair in Slovakia and has as Researchers Inside Us”. As a part of the event, many as 7,000 visitors. Comenius University participated in the Science in the Encampment project for the ninth time. Experience a Day in the Life of a University This year, the secrets of the natural sciences Student were explored by children and young people in European Researchers’ Night The Akadémia Education Fair Two May mornings on 20 and 28 May 2019 Prakovce and Mníšek nad Hnilcom. managed to attract hundreds of secondary 34 COMENIUS UNIVERSITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY COMENIUS UNIVERSITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 35

school students to Comenius University. The the prize, the faculty also honours the memory reason was the fourth year of the popular of its student, Daniel Tupý, who was murdered “Experience a Day in the Life of a University by a group of neo-Nazis on the Danube’s Student” event, which allows lower-grade embankment in 2005 at the age of 21. This secondary school students to make use of tragic incident also served as the inspiration the time when their older schoolmates have for a film entitled “By a Sharp Knife”, which school-leaving examinations to get to know the was screened in the Auditorium before being university environment. The students had the released in cinemas in February 2019. After opportunity to see 24 lectures on interesting the screening, there was a discussion with the topics by Comenius University experts. creators of the film and Daniel Tupý Sr, the father of the victim. WE INSPIRE ECOmenius The university does not avoid pressing issues Comenius University participated in the 23rd in social discourse and explains them from a edition of the Pohoda multicultural music comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective. festival, which took place from 11 to 13 July 2019 in Trenčín. The visitors could find TEDx at Comenius University Comenius University experts at the booth and The first TEDx event at Comenius University in discussions as well as out and about. Around (TEDxUniverzitaKomenského) took place on 250 volunteers, including Comenius University 18 November 2018 at the Faculty of Social students, taught festival visitors how to and Economic Sciences. This event combines separate waste correctly. Pohoda is one of the attractive academic lectures with authentic Experience a Day in the Life of a University Student ECOmenius most ecological festivals in Europe thanks to the and powerful stories on a wide range of topics. ECOmenius project. The pilot edition had the central topic of “On a Journey”. Lectures were given by speakers Climate March from the fields of sport, art, management, life In September 2019, Comenius University changes, and agriculture. supported the worldwide march for climate justice for all people and living things through Living science in real time a joint declaration with the Slovak Academy of On 21 December 2018, the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Slovak University of Technology and Economic Sciences hosted the first year and by organizing a march on 20 September of the Žijem vedu naživo (I live science in real 2019. A group of almost 200 people from the time) conference. The aim of the organizers was march joined the climate strike organized by to create room for discussions about current Fridays for Future. problems of scientists (not only) in Slovakia and to search for ways to solve them. The organizers AWARDS OF SCIENTISTS of the conference included active members of the Žijemvedu.sk platform and scientists Every year Comenius University scientists receive who felt an absence of mutual interdisciplinary various national and international awards. discussion and general scientific awareness- raising, especially the absence of communicating Science and Technology Week the successes of great Slovak scientists who are During Science and Technology Week, the active at home or abroad. Science and Technology Awards in Slovakia were presented. The laureates included three Daniel Tupý Prize scientists from Comenius University: Professor Since 2010 the Faculty of Arts has awarded the Peter Moczo, Professor Milan Kokavec, and Dr Daniel Tupý Prize to students who can submit Michal Chovanec. their papers supporting the idea of fighting st against violence, xenophobia, racism, Nazism, TEDx at Comenius University Climate March Pribina Cross (1 Class) intolerance, and other such phenomena in the The President of the Slovak Republic, Andrej Slovak and international context. By awarding Kiska, presented this state honour to Professor 36 COMENIUS UNIVERSITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY COMENIUS UNIVERSITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 37

Pavel Povinec from the Faculty of Mathematics, internationally respected expert in the field of Physics, and Informatics for his special botany, for his support of scientific cooperation contribution to the economic development of with Masaryk University. the Slovak Republic and his significant scientific results in the field of nuclear and environmental The Dr Ludmila Sedlárová-Rabanová Fund physics. Prize Dr Katarína Boďová became a laureate of the The 2018 Crystal Wing Dr Ludmila Sedlárová-Rabanová Fund Prize for Laureates of the 2018 Crystal Wing included her publication in the journal Genetics, where Comenius University alumni. In the Journalism she was the main author. This publication and Literature category, there was Associate combines genetic, evolutionary biological, and Professor Etela Farkašová – a long-time member mathematical analyses to explain mechanisms of the Department of Philosophy and the that prevent the autogamy of plants and lead History of Philosophy. In the Innovations and to the creation of genes that are responsible Start-ups category, there was Dr Tomáš Brngál, for the recognition of their own gametes and a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine and a for preventing inbreeding. Support from the co-founder of the Virtual Medicine company. In Dr Ludmila Sedlárová-Rabanová Fund was the Medicine and Science category, there was Dr also received by three young researchers: Dr Michal Hulman, the head of the Cardiac Surgery Barbora Konečná, Barbora Gromová, and Dr Filip Clinic at the National Institute for Cardiovascular Červenák. Diseases. A Masaryk University The St Gorazd Medal was St Gorazd Medal Literary Fund Prize Gold Medal for Karol Mičieta awarded to Marta Pančíková. On the occasion of Teacher’s Day, the Ministry of The Scientific Publication Prize in the Biological Education, Science, Research, and Sport of the and Medical Sciences category was awarded to Slovak Republic awarded the Grand St Gorazd Professor Jozef Rovenský, Professor Juraj Payer, Medal to Professor Martin Péč for his teaching Associate Professor Zdenko Killinger, Professor and research activities and to Professor Ján Marián Bernadič, and others for their work Čižmár for his unique lifetime contribution in entitled “Rheumatology Through Case History: the field of teaching the theory of mathematics Rheumatic Diseases in the Surgery of a General and the history of mathematics. The Minor St Practitioner”. Professor Ingrid Brucknerová Gorazd Medal was awarded to Professor Marta (and others) received recognition for their Pančíková for her long-time management of work entitled “Neonatology for Students of the the Slovak-Polish Commission of Humanities Faculty of Medicine”. In the category of Natural at the Slovak Ministry of Education and for her and Technical Sciences, a special award went to lifelong teaching activities in the field of Slavic Professor Michal Fečkan, Dr Michal Pospíšil, and linguistics. Professor JinRong Wang for their publication entitled “Fractional-Order Equations and The Annual Samuel Zoch Awards and Inclusions”. Another special award for scientific Commemorative Letters of the President of and specialized literature in the Social Sciences the Bratislava Self-Governing Region category was given to Professor Juraj Dolník The annual Samuel Zoch Award for 2018 for his book called “Language in Social Culture”. went to two representatives of Comenius Finally, second place for the Three-year Scientific University: Professor Karol Mičieta (then the Response in the Technical and Geological university’s Rector) and the literary academic Sciences category went to Dr Miroslav Kocifaj. Professor Ondrej Sliacky. Recipients of the Commemorative Letter of the President of Gold Medal of Masaryk University the Bratislava Self-Governing Region included On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Associate Professor Ivan Haverlík, who was a Masaryk University, their Rector Mikuláš Bek The Dr Ludmila Sedlárová Rabanová Nadežda Hrapková received co-founder of the Department of Theoretical presented an award to Comenius University’s Fund Prize went to Katarína Boďová (centre). the Award for Lifelong Learning. Cybernetics and who also contributed to the Professor Karol Mičieta, who is a member of establishment of the Biophysics Department at the Masaryk University Scientific Board and an the Faculty of Natural Sciences. 38 COMENIUS UNIVERSITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY COMENIUS UNIVERSITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 39

Prize for Lifelong Learning containing the number eight which have also As a part of the Week of Lifelong Learning been important in the history of Czechoslovakia event, an award for contributions in the field of (1918, 1968, 1989, 1998, and 2018). lifelong learning went to Dr Nadežda Hrapková, The programme also included a discussion with who is a long-time principal methodology inspiring people, a presentation on the topic of specialist of the University of the Third Age populism with Michal Šimečka, and a discussion at the Centre for Continuing Education at with the faculty Dean, Lucia Mokrá. As a part Comenius University and the president of the of the festival, thematic films introducing European Federation of Older Students. She various opportunities for travelling abroad were has made a significant contribution to the screened. Students of the faculty who were in a development of the education of seniors in musical mood could show off their talents in the Slovakia. “FSES Project”.

Fides et Ratio Lámavica Professor Zlatica Plašienková received the Fides On Wednesday 6 March 2019, Refinery Gallery et Ratio prize during a ceremony in the Primate’s hosted a student party called Lámavica. The Palace in Bratislava. The goal of this prize is to event connected the two strongest Slovak express respect towards those who through universities – Comenius University and the their activities contribute to a dialogue between Slovak University of Technology. The event science and faith. included performances by well-known artists such as Iné Kafé, Gleb, and Medial Banana. The Silver Flying Pen During one of the most significant international AmosFest 2018 Action Day The 2018 Medical Students’ Run in Martin festivals of poetry called Slavic Embrace, This sports event with a charitable cause took Associate Professor Zvonko Taneski received an place at the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine at award in the field of literature for his lifelong Comenius University in Martin, welcoming 506 works, which have been translated into sixteen participants. The proceeds of € 3,675 were used languages. for the purchase of two infusion pumps for the Paediatric Surgery Clinic at the University FROM STUDENTS TO STUDENTS Hospital in Martin.

2018 AmosFest Action Day From 24 to 26 September 2018, the popular The goal of this event was to draw attention AmosFest student festival took place in Mlynská to the urgent need to deal with the climate dolina. Visitors had the opportunity to attend a crisis. The day started with a strike by secondary public lecture by Anton Heretik, who alongside school students and continued with a march presenter Adela Vinczeová talked about the that finished in front of the historical building topic of aggression. There was also a Traveller’s of Comenius University in Bratislava with Cinema about national parks in the United the passing of a symbolic baton to university States, a presentation of student associations students. Afterwards, the Climate Crisis Student and organizations, and another series of events. Forum took place in the Auditorium and Students could also take part in a charitable featured the participation of several experts. sports event called AmosBeh (AmosRun); the proceeds from that event went to the Dúha University Tree of Wishes Crisis Centre in Bratislava. Students and graduates organized another year of this charitable project to help people from 2018 FSES Fest social services homes, residential facilities, and On 10 December 2018, the Faculty of Social and crisis centres. This year, we collected roughly Economic Sciences organized the popular FSES 400 wishes from seven facilities. Students and Fest. 2018 saw the eighth edition of this event, 2018 FSES Fest University Tree of Wishes employees could find them hanging on eleven and so its topic was focused on those years Christmas trees located at the faculties. INFRASTRUCTURE 41

ACADEMIC LIBRARY In 2018 the services of the library were used by 15,965 registered users. Comenius University students accounted for the largest number of users, amounting to 14,381 of them. During the year, 427,209 documents were borrowed. INFRA- The library offers access to almost 330,000 e-books and roughly 100,000 STRUCTURE online journals.

COMENIUS UNIVERSITY PRESS Comenius University is very In 2018 Comenius University Press closely linked to the city of published 234 publications (185 of Bratislava. It is the soul and lungs them being first editions). A fifth of the publications came out in electronic form. of the city. Units and facilities These publications are sold through brick- of the university can be found and-mortar shops and an e-shop. in all parts of the city. Comenius University includes its faculties as CENTRE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES well as hospitals, , the This centre operates the information Comenius University Botanical systems and maintains the information Garden, the garden of medicinal and communication infrastructure. The plants, a herbarium, dozens of centre is also technically responsible for the electronic information system dormitory buildings, libraries, the for students, electronic mail, the online Comenius University Press, and presence of the university, the IT Support the Comenius University Archive. Centre, and other things. Although Comenius University BOTANICAL GARDEN is not a campus-type university, The Botanical Garden’s mission includes this has its advantages. When the preservation and enlargement of you are getting to know the the collections of living plants as well individual parts of the university, as the experimental acclimatization of various plant species. The plant displays you will travel around the whole are accessible to primary and secondary city and get to explore it. schools as well as the general public through exhibitions and seminars.

THE ARCHIVE This is an expert section that receives, records, protects archive documents DORMITORIES concerning Comenius University and Comenius University has the largest , also making them portfolio of dormitories for students accessible. Its collections include diplomas, in Slovakia. At the end of 2018, these photographs, general documentation, dormitories accommodated 7,937 audio-visual documents, and museum students of the university. The canteens artefacts, including academic gowns, sold 2,451,935 main courses, of which medals, insignia, and teaching aids. 2,005,574 were to students. HUMAN RESOURCES 42

THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES OF COMENIUS UNIVERSITY BETWEEN 2008 AND 2018 IN FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT

HUMAN 4,500 4,000 RESOURCES 3,500 3,000 In 2018 Comenius University 2,500 had a total of 4,430 employees. 2,000 Out of this number, there were 2,078 university teachers and 395 1,500 researchers. Comenius University 1,000 is one of the largest employers in 500 Slovakia. The university focuses 0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 on the development of its human resources primarily in its most University teachers Researchers Others qualified section.

THE AVERAGE AGE OF PROFESSORS AT COMENIUS UNIVERSITY IS NOW DECREASING COMENIUS UNIVERSITY IN 2018/2019 IN NUMBERS, GRAPHS, AND PICTURES 62 Address: Šafárikovo nám. 6, P. O. Box 440, 814 99 Bratislava, the Slovak Republic E-mail: [email protected] Phone: +421 2 9010 9986

Editor: Mgr. Lenka Miller 61 Translation: John Peter Butler Barrer

Compiled by: the Public Relations Office and the Office for Quality Assurance at the Comenius University Rectorate

Photographs: Vladimír Kuric, Tomáš Madeja, the Comenius University 60 Archive, the Public Relations Office at the Comenius University Rectorate

Design: Ivana Drozdová Printed by: KO&KA, spol. s r. o. Number of copies: 800

59 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Top Comenius University scientist Michal Fečkan was 2017 Scientist of the Year. uniba.sk

Comenius.University

Comenius.University school/comeniusuniversity

UniverzitaKomenskehovBratislave