Olomouc, 2017/1

žurnál

Magazine of Palacký University Olomouc, 2017/1

theme

Olomouc – A University Town

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3 — A University Town 6 — The Role of Social Workers in Society 6 — Faculty of Arts Offers Indonesian Studies 7 — Experts Warn: We must shorten our time spent sitting 7 — Faculty of Health Sciences Opens a New Programme: Paramedic 8 — Faculty of Education Publishes Almanac 8 — Faculty of Law Offers New Study Programme in English 9 — New Geopark Explores the Magic of Rocks Dear Readers, 9 — Faculty of Medicine Opens Aesculap Academy 10 — Acoustic Analysis Reveals Uniqueness of Freddie Anniversaries are always sources Mercury’s Voice of joy and pride. Established in 1566 as a Jesuit college and re-established in 11 — Olomouc Telemedicine Centre Tests Home Health Care 1946 as Palacký University, in 2016 our in Scandinavia academy celebrated four hundred and 12 — Unique Surgical Technique Developed by UP Urologists fifty years of its existence and seven 13 — UP Botanists Discover New Plant on Borneo decades since its renewal. Over the course of centuries, legions of alumni 14 — UP Scientists Have Created World’s Smallest Metallic have spread its glory and reputation Magnets across the globe. To celebrate our 15 — Miroslav Strnad, Plant Physiologist rich and dramatic history, we invited 18 — Success our alumni back to Olomouc, and I hasten to say that the splendid and 22 — Kaleidoscope of News Briefs pleasantly informal 2016 Reunion will 24 — To the Soaring Heights… with a Pacemaker be writ in gold into the university 25 — Delana Mikolášová: Failure is not a problem chronicle. With 70 honoured alumni and almost 10 000 participants 28 — BALUO: Bases of Application Life Utilities Olomouc from the Czech Republic, Europe and 30 — Chomoutov’s Alchemy of Beer overseas, the event certainly aspired 32 — The University Choir: Affair of the Heart to the biggest academic get-together 33 — School Gardens of Eden in the history of this country. This new English version of Žurnál recalls 35 — Lenka Konrádová: Each morning I have to look myself this memorable happening, one that in the mirror may justly be called the highlight of 37 — Medicine Helped Him – Now He Helps Others the academic year. This issue offers 40 — “Francjosef” and Olomouc interviews with selected renowned alumni, inspiring life stories of some Palacký University graduates, reports on recent research achievements of our scientists, the first-hand impressions from Olomouc as voiced by the sole Bhutanese student in the Czech Republic, and much more. Long

2 žurnál 2017 A university town

They came. Up until the last minute, we worried about whether they would make it. But they came. The town was full of them. “I consider the award as a kind Old, young, locals, out-of-towners, famous sons and daughters. of testimonial that perhaps I have brought no shame upon Everywhere. And everywhere they went, they could be recog- the Olomouc university, which nised at first glance. By the blue lanyard around their necks and for me will be a commitment to the smiles on their faces. Palacký University alumni. try even harder.” Vít Pohanka, radio journalist September ninth and tenth last autumn, Delana Mikolášová, a top diplomat (you Olomouc belonged to the university. can read an interview with her in this is- “The fact that I am currently More precisely, to the Alumni Reunion, sue), flew in from Israel. the Head Chaplain of the Armed the like of which Olomouc has never seen. Everything which took place during Forces of the Czech Republic For two days, fellow students, teach- those two days was “Made in UP”, includ- is thanks to what Palacký ers, employees, and friends met. Every- ing the programme. Anyone who wanted University endowed me with.” one who has UP not only on their parch- to hear the proof of how well UP gradu- ments, but also in their hearts. They came ates can play and sing could listen to the Colonel Jaroslav Knichal to see how their colleges have changed. likes of musical star Leona Machálková, “I finished my studies in optics and elec- folk musician Jiří Pavlica, opera sing- “It is certainly an honour, there tronic optics at the Faculty of Science er Lucie Ceralová, and jazzman Emil were medal recipients who in 1994. I’m glad to be here. They have Viklický live in concert. have accomplished truly great a marvellous building which did not exist And they were honoured. Six dozen things in diverse areas of human in my day,” said Helena Indrušová, who personalities who have made a name for endeavour. I was pleased that came from Slovakia. “I wanted to walk themselves in perhaps every field, from there were scientists there; and through the halls where I studied. Espe- medicine to science, justice, business, I could be among them. There cially the Anatomy Department, where the arts, journalism, politics, diplomacy, are not many Czech scientists I can still smell the formaldehyde,” Mile- and sport, accepted a medal from Rector who have achieved global na Moravcová, a dentist and 1976 gradu- Jaroslav Miller as a symbol of gratitude ate, said with a smile. for representing their school. Stepping recognition. I’m proud that There were many similar meetings up to the podium were such personali- some of them are from our alma and many were filled with surprising and ties as oncologist Karel Indrák, scientist mater.” touching moments. For example when Radek Zbořil, American Studies scholar Radek Zbořil, Scientist and graduate Jindřich Štreit christened the Josef Jařab, businesswoman Jarmila Pod- RCPTM Director university desk calendar, and several la- horná, journalist Jakub Železný and doz- dies descended upon the famous pho- ens of others. “I keep in touch with the tographer saying, “We studied together, “When we left our alma mater years Jindřich, remember? Let’s get a shot of us back and stepped up to the symbolic ser- university not only for together, ok?” Or when Jitka Pospíšilová vice line, we still had no clear idea of what nostalgia’s sake. For me it is from Hranice, a 1965 graduate in Eng- would be waiting for us, what kind of also a bit of a challenge and lish and Russian from the Faculty of Arts, match it would be. The umpire was per- motivation.” somewhat involuntarily touched the ring haps already sitting in his chair, an un- Jakub Dürr, Czech Deputy on her hand. “For me Palacký University known opponent had warmed up, and we Foreign Minister even has a family significance. My parents had just completed the first serve. Nobody made financial contributions to its re-es- knew whether they would be successful. tablishment after WW2. And that’s why That’s how it all began. Here a forehand, I wore this ring, which was my mum’s, so there a backhand, we didn’t always win, that she could be here with me – symbol- sometimes we left the court in disappoint- ically.” And distance was no obstacle for ment, but we always gave it our all. We those who wanted to return to their stu- can promise that we are ready for whatev- dent days. Miloslava Minnes, a graduate er comes next,” promised, on behalf of all, of both the Faculty of Education and Fac- the former tennis champion, psycholo- ulty of Arts, flew in from Canada. “I want- gist, and UP graduate Helena Suková – ed to be back in Olomouc, it’s lovely here.” her eyes gazing on the “ReUPblic”.

žurnál 2017 3 UP REUNION IN NUMBERS

6 000 alumni came to Olomouc — 70th anniversary celebration of the re-establishment of Palacký University — 1952 was the year of graduation of the eldest alumna — 6 500 km journey to the Reunion made by an alumna from Canada — 76 distinguished alumni received a commemorative medal — 11 check-in sites throughout the city — 180 days from conception to realisation of a glass container – for the check- in site in front of the main train station — 20 events in the accompanying programme — 7 gala concerts — 25th anniversary celebration of the enlargement of the university textbook centre to the UP University Press — 0:30 am was the time UPoint’s last visitor left — 4 354 buttons with the Palacký University logo were distributed — 8 000 bottles of mineral water were distributed to alumni — 152 student volunteers helped in organising the event

žurnál 2017 5 8 faculties 1 university

The role of social workers in society debated by experts

Intercultural understanding, diversi- quality of freedom and democracy in soci- bo, Spain, and Otto-Friedrich University, ty management, social entrepreneurship ety,” said Květoslava Princová, the guaran- Bamberg, Germany. In addition to talks, and project writing – these new competen- tor of the study programme International practical workshops were featured. cies in social work were the main theme of Social and Humanitarian Work at CMFT, The international conference, repre- the two-day international conference In- and a former humanitarian worker. sented by eight partners from seven coun- tegration Without Borders, organised by Their invitation was accepted by speak- tries, was one of the results of the facul- the Department of Christian Social Work ers such as Dana Němcová, a psycholo- ty’s project of the same name. “We had at the Sts Cyril and Methodius Faculty of gist and former Charter 77 spokesperson no idea at the beginning that hundreds of Theology (CMFT). and human rights defender; Tomáš Hradíl- thousands of people would turn up in Eu- “In a culturally diverse society, social ek, former Czech Minister of Interior; the rope. Social workers are those who will op- workers will play an important role on all first post-1989 UP Rector and American erate at the boundaries of various cultures, levels. As facilitators of social peace and Studies expert Josef Jařab; and represent- so they will need intercultural competen- well-being, they will contribute to better atives from the University of Deusto, Bil- cies,” emphasised Princová. (map, mav)

Faculty of Arts offers Indonesian Studies with focus on tourism

The first twenty students have enrolled The programme is unparalleled not third year. For the first two years, stud- at Palacký University for a three-year BA only in the Czech Republic, but also in ies will take place in Olomouc, whereas study programme, Indonesian Studies, Europe. “The uniqueness of our Indone- the third year will be compulsory in In- with a focus on the tourism industry. sian Studies is the system of study in the donesian and English directly at Udaya- na University in Denpasar, Bali. In addition to studies, they will also apply their acquired knowledge during their pi- lot projects and research,” said Ondřej Pokorný, Head of the Indonesian section at the UP Department of Asian Studies. He added that their third-year students will be allowed to be employed in local tourism or research according to their research objectives. “Their school fees will be covered; however, other costs of living, which are similar to our standards, will be paid by themselves,” concluded Poko- rný. The graduates will find employment in international institutions and compa- nies, public administration, and the private sector. (map)

6 žurnál 2017 Experts warn: We must shorten our time spent sitting

Experts from the UP Faculty of Physical ity, or the work based on the study Health opment adopted by the UN,” said one of Culture represented the Czech Republic Behaviour in School-aged Children, on the Olomouc representatives, Zdeněk at the 6th International Congress on Phys- both of which experts from Olomouc par- Hamřík from the Department of Recrea- ical Activity and Public Health in Bangkok, ticipated. tion and Leisure Studies. Thailand. The most important research “The congress participants accepted The findings obtained worldwide have findings in the area of active lifestyle were The Bangkok Declaration on Physical confirmed that cities and their manage- presented at the conference, such as the re- Activity for Global Health and Sustain- ment have a key role in active living – in sults brought by the international research able Development. This is the first glob- terms of transport, education, and urban group IPEN investigating the impact of the al attempt to achieve the goals set within planning policies. The key themes include environment on the level of physical activ- the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Devel- the support of walking, cycling, and public transport over cars. Other themes en- compass taking active breaks in schools, improved physical culture, better access to school sporting grounds, and the establishment and maintenance of public parks with the aim to support physical activities and a healthy lifestyle. “Apart from the support of an active lifestyle we need to focus on significant shortening of the time spent sitting. Ac- cording to the majority of studies, the time spent in a sedentary way is a strong and independent risk factor in a person’s lifestyle. The conference clearly voiced the concern that 45 minutes spent in a fitness centre cannot fully compen- sate the health risks of eight-hours’ sitting at work. It is such a huge issue that sitting was dubbed the new smoking,” added Hamřík. (vim)

Faculty of Health Sciences opens a new programme: Paramedic Studies at the youngest UP faculty will One of the specific features of the be extended in the next academic year by study will be the focus on critical situ- a new BA programme: Paramedic. Those ation management. “Our study plan in- interested may acquire practical skills al- cludes crisis intervention in psychiatry. ready during their study; as graduates, It involves the solution of critical situa- they will find their use in the pre-hospi- tions during coping with an aggressive tal, urgent, and anaesthesiology-resusci- patient, helping a rape victim, or some- tation care and acute medical units. Thir- one who wants to commit suicide,” said ty successful applicants will qualify for the FHS Vice-Dean Zdeňka Mikšová. first year. “We want to provide our students According to FHS Dean Jaroslav with a real opportunity to try out and check Vomáčka, the high quality of the new up on their theoretical knowledge during study programme has been made pos- practical exercises,” underlined Docent sible by the comprehensive three-year Pavel Dráč, the guarantor of the new pro- preparations concluded with successful gramme from the Department of Nursing, accreditation. “We have an outstanding UP Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), and team and we believe that our graduates emergency room physician at the Olomouc will be highly qualified. Therefore our University Hospital. Graduates will find ap- plans include extension towards com- plication in emergency medical services as bined study programmes, and one of our well as hospital emergency rooms, moun- visions is also a follow-up MA study pro- photos: Zdeněk Hamřík archive | Milada Hronová tain rescue, and mines rescue. gramme,” he said. (mav)

žurnál 2017 7 8 faculties 1 university

Faculty of Education published an almanac for its anniversary

At the end of last year, the UP Faculty of “We wanted to document our facul- the faculty had been affiliated and disaffil- Education commemorated the 70th anni- ty’s journey from its dawn until today, iated again. From its four founding insti- versary of its re-establishment in an origi- when it has become an important aca- tutes, the faculty has extended into 11 de- nal way. They published an almanac titled demic and educational institute,” said partments and 3 institutes. Seventy years “Seventy Years of the Faculty of Education, Dean Čestmír Serafín. Thanks to the al- ago, in the first year of its re-establish- Palacký University, 1946–2016”, mapping manac, the public can remember its pro- ment, there were 110 enrolled students its history and creative output. Readers can lific activities and distinguished person- and 49 employed teachers, while today we become familiar with the school’s activities alities in its management, as well as its have 4 400 students taught by 180 teach- that have involved, since its foundation, the places of residence throughout history. ers. Throughout its existence, the faculty training of future teachers and other edu- “Many may be surprised by the complicat- has been helmed by 16 deans,” said Dean cational workers. ed development, as due to legal changes Serafín. (map)

Faculty of Law offers a new study programme in English

A new study programme mainly for for- The launch of a new study programme our contractual partners,” said Martin Faix, eign applicants will be offered from this confirms the quality of law education in Ol- Vice-Dean for International Relations. The academic year by the UP Faculty of Law. omouc; it is the culmination of many years core of the programme consists in standard They have obtained accreditation for of work by the experts at the Department of key courses related to international and Eu- a follow-up Master’s programme, Inter- International and European Law. “We be- ropean law, complemented by an array of national and European Law. It is taught lieve that foreign students will respond pos- optional courses for further specialisation. in English as a paid two-year full-time itively to the attractiveness and content of For the academic year 2016/2017, seven study. Applications for the academic the curriculum. They can also take part in applications from abroad were submitted, year 2017/2018 will be accepted till mid- exchange programs via the Erasmus Pro- and three students were accepted. A maxi- June 2017. gramme or internships and excursions at mum of thirty students can enrol. Applicants are required to have at least a BA degree in Law or a related discipline and language competence. “The programme is aimed, for example, at students who have been here via Erasmus. Howev- er, it is open to all excellent students,” said Martin Faix. Students may also find study in Olomouc attractive due to the Facul- ty of Law Excellence Scholarship, awarded to six students in total. “The criteria for this scholarship include previous study results, specialised activities, and fulfilling of study duties,” the vice-dean specified. Applicants for English programmes at the Faculty of Law should check out the web-

site www.studylaw.upol.cz. (eha) Mazochová | Martina Šaradínová Milada Hronová photos: Velena

8 žurnál 2017 New geopark reveals the magic of rocks

Rocks from all of Moravia and Silesia are represented in a geopark, constructed in a park located in close proximity to the Fac- ulty of Science. There are 45 items from 31 locations, with total weight around 100 tonnes. They include the rare traver- tine from Kokory, marble from Supíkovice, and granite from Mrákotín. The Olomouc geopark, one of the largest in the country, is open to all schools and the public. “Our geopark is the only one cover- ing the entire area of Moravia and Silesia. Various types of minerals are represented, from different geological units of the Bohe- mian Massive and the Western Carpathi- ans, which form the geological bedrock of Moravia and Silesia. Every rock is interesting in some aspect; we considered the size, shape, and structure of the minerals. Close and grade school students and the pub- website. The heaviest item – an amphibo- inspection of some of the samples may re- lic. Four sections feature igneous, met- lite from Bukovice in the Jeseníky Moun- veal even very rare minerals,” said one of amorphic, and sedimentary rocks, and tains – weighs around six tonnes, where- the creators of the geopark, Kamil Kropáč other geological curiosities. Each sample as the lightest item is a 300-kilogramme from the Department of Geology. on display carries a label with basic data; phyllite from Lomnička. The age of the The geopark serves the education of more information is available on informa- handsome hunks is from 400 thousand to Geology students as well as high school tion boards and the Geopark Olomouc 600 million years. (srd)

Faculty of Medicine opens top-notch education centre Aesculap Academy

State-of-the-art equipment simulating sur- According to Dean Milan Kolář, the new quire basic skills, experience, and profes- gical performances are used by both un- educational centre is unparalleled in the sional habits, and as our graduates, they dergraduate and postgraduate students of Czech Republic or Slovakia. “It is a unique will continue in postgraduate study and the UP Faculty of Medicine in the new ed- synthesis of undergraduate and postgrad- prepare for attestation and further special- ucation centre Aesculap Academy, in the uate education. Students of surgery will ac- isation,” underlined Milan Kolář. (mav) premises of the Theoretical Institutes. The training of surgical skills, unavailable during assistance in the operating theatre, is enabled by top-notch simulators for laparoscopic operations and other sets of specialised simulators and various unique devices in the simulation laboratory, including a facility for preparation of teaching and biological materials. “Our students practice their elementary surgical skills and examination methods on basic simulators. They can test their bimanual dexterity, while surgeons-to-be can perform laparoscopic gall bladder removal on a top-notch simulator. This simulator can retrospectively assess the out- come of the surgery as well as the skill of the surgeon in question,” explained Čest- mír Neoral, Head of the Department of Surgery I and the main initiator of the centre’s foundation.

žurnál 2017 9 text: Martina Šaradínová science photo: Czech News Agency

Acoustic analysis reveals uniqueness of Freddie Mercury’s voice

Anyone who is at least slightly familiar The article was published in the academic “The conditions for this research with the sound of the legendary singer journal Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology. were not ideal, because we could not Freddie Mercury has no doubts about the Herbst in his research used the sing- bring Freddie into our lab. We had to se- extraordinariness of his voice. It has now er’s vocal tracks isolated from full band re- lect the material that could be used in been proven scientifically. The biophysi- cordings. In order to compare the singing our research all the more carefully,” said cist Christian Herbst analysed the voice of and speaking voice of the pop legend, he Herbst, who has returned home to Austria the former member of the rock band Queen used Mercury’s recorded interviews. The after completing his doctoral studies in at the Faculty of Science, Palacký Universi- research has resulted in the first scientif- Olomouc. He also admitted that the chan- ty Olomouc. Together with his colleagues ic article analysing the voice of this music teur, who influenced popular music across from Sweden, they measured the sing- star. The article is also quite unusual in its the world, is one of his favourites. Several er’s vocal range and other characteristic focus on a pop star, since only opera singers years of research thus were a great source features that made his voice so remarkable. have been analysed until now. of joy for him.

10 žurnál 2017 While the vibrato of most pop and rock singers is regular, Mer- cury’s was considerably fast and irregular. Source: Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology

A baritone who sang as a tenor er, it means a voice range of little more between 5 and 8 Hz. “While the vibrato of On the basis of the analysis of Mercu- than three octaves. Not four octaves as be- most pop and rock singers is regular, Mer- ry’s speaking voice, the biophysicist came lieved, but still, it is a considerable range. cury’s vibrato was considerably fast and ir- to the conclusion that he was typologically Opera baritones are usually within the regular,” summed up Herbst. a baritone, who sang as a tenor. “This is why range of G to G1 (98 to 392 Hz), while tenor The experts also discovered how the his voice had an extraordinary timbre, a dif- singers are usually between H and H1 (123 charismatic singer could add the typical ferent quality,” commented another expert to 494 Hz), which are two octaves in both husky tone to his voice. The Swedish col- on human voice research, Herbst’s closest instances,” explained Švec. leagues used a singer who could imitate colleague and his former tutor, Jan Švec Mercury, and filmed his larynx vibration from the UP Department of Biophysics. Fast and irregular vibrato with a high-speed camera. They found out The research has also focussed on de- The scientists also analysed the typical fea- that Freddie’s husky voice was probably fining the vocal range of the singer. There tures of Freddie Mercury’s voice. An in- due not only to vibration of the vocal folds, had been speculation that Mercury’s range triguing discovery was his vibrato in long but also a pair of tissue structures called was vast, over four octaves, but this could tones, which is manifested as a modulation ventricular folds, located above. not be substantiated by the study. The of voice frequency. The vibrato frequen- Freddie Mercury, considered one of the analysis of available recordings suggested cy usually is between 4 and 7 Hz, meaning most important singers in music history, that his singing voice range was 37 semi- that the voice goes up and down, to put it was also famous for his charisma and extrav- tones within the pitch range of F2 (about in layman’s terms, four to seven times per agancy during performances. Twenty-five 92.2 Hz) to G5 (about 784 Hz). “Altogeth- second. Mercury’s frequency was higher, years have passed since Mercury’s death.

Olomouc telemedicine centre is testing the advantages of home health care “on-line” in Scandinavia

To connect, measure, and with one click and wirelessly connected to a tablet. The home social care within the EU. Scandina- send information to your doctor’s comput- patient just clicks, the value is measured vian countries were chosen for testing due er from home – and in comfort – can now and automatically sent to the portal of the to the great distances between patients and be offered by modern telemedicine. Ex- doctor in question. Via video consultation health care centres and because the infra- perts at the National Telemedicine Cen- or mobile telephone, they can also be con- structure of high-speed optical networks tre (NTMC) at the Olomouc University sulted on their actual health problem, thus connected to private homes has already been in place there for more than fifteen Hospital and UP Faculty of Medicine and saving time visiting the surgery,” explained Michal Štýbnar, one of the experts at the years. Dentistry are already taking advantage of clinic and the NTMC. The main co-ordinator of the project, this technology for patients. As partners which began in June 2016, is the Regional in a unique international project, they are Council of South Ostrobothnia, Finland. joined in checking systems of home health- The scientific guarantor for UP is the Head care through open fibre optic networks. of the First Internal Medicine –Cardiology They are testing and evaluating doctor-pa- Clinic at the University Teaching Hospital tient virtual communications in Finland, Olomouc, Prof Miloš Táborský. The main Sweden and Denmark. result of the project will be the final re- Connecting to the fibre optic network port, with recommendations for the Euro- can allow people in the comfort of their Identification of the most user-friend- pean Commission on eHealth systems and own homes to send measurements of heart ly and cost-effective combinations of tele- services using FTTH open networks. One rhythm and blood sugar levels and an- medicine systems is the actual goal of the component of the report will be the iden- nounce acute changes in the state of their international project, aimed at Fibre to the tification of examples of “good practise” health. “All the tools and equipment, for Home (FFTH), which should at the same which save money in healthcare and main- example pulse oximeter, blood pressure time cover the relevant prerequisites for ly represent a significant treatment benefit gauge, or glucometer, are easy to operate national and regional health providers and for the patient. (mav)

žurnál 2017 11 science

Vladimír Študent Jr at the operating theatre of the UP Centre of Robotic Surgery. Unique surgical technique developed by UP urologists Surgeons from the Department of Urology, UP Faculty of Med- icine, have achieved an outstanding success. They have developed a new technique which significantly reduces incontinence in patients who have undergone robotic surgery for prostate cancer. Their results were published in a prestigious journal of the European Association of Urology, European Urology, which features the most prominent studies in the field.

“The surgical removal of the tumour re- mouc experts used muscles in the pelvic quires radical prostatectomy, that is, the floor which were “left over” after the pros- removal of the entire prostate. The urethra tate removal. is then connected to the urinary bladder by a simple surgical union called anastomo- Original idea from Olomouc sis,” explained the main author of the study “Following the radical prostatectomy, we and the co-creator of the new technique, pleat the remaining muscles and create Vladimír Študent Jr from the Olomouc de- a sort of collar, a hammock, which serves as partment. The most frequent postopera- a suspensory support. Incontinence is then tive complications of this standard proce- reduced to a minimum,” clarified Vladimír dure include spontaneous incontinence. Študent Jr. “We have maintained and sup- This can be however eliminated by a tech- plemented the standard procedure. In fact, nique called Advanced Reconstruction of we have only done what no one has ever text: Velena Mazochová Vesicourethral Support (ARVUS). Olo- thought of – we put the muscles back and photo: Viktor Čáp

12 žurnál 2017 Diagram of the procedure

fixed them to the urinary bladder,” added Improving the quality of patients’ and a serious social and hygienic problem, Head of the Department of Urology and lives one which is really hard to cope with,” con- one of the authors, Vladimír Študent Sr. Since the completion of the clinical study firmed the head of the department. The benefits of the new technique were in mid-2014, Olomouc surgeons have per- Robot-assisted surgeries are conducted verified with two thirty-member groups formed nearly 500 operations using the by the surgical team at the Palacký Univer- of men with localised prostate cancer. The modified surgical method. It has been pre- sity Centre of Robotic Surgery, which has first group of patients underwent the sur- sented with considerable acclaim at a num- been in operation for seven years. Its basic gical procedure using the new technique, ber of domestic and foreign conferences; in equipment includes the da Vinci Surgical whereas the second group was operated addition, their article has been published in System S HD, which replicates the move- upon according to standard procedure. a globally renowned journal. ment of the surgeon’s hands by its interac- “When we compared the two groups, we Apart from the recognition in academic tive arms with surgical mini-instruments. found out that patients from the first group circles, the research team highly values the They are inserted into the patient’s body achieved complete continence much soon- benefits that this new technique has for their through miniature incisions and controlled er and faster, sometimes within hours af- patients. “We have managed to significant- by the surgeon from a joystick console. The ter the surgery. Within two months, 70% of ly increase the quality of their lives. For the robot’s movements are processed and spec- them were continent, as opposed to 20% in prevailing majority of them, problems relat- ified by a computer, and 3D imaging pro- the other group,” said Vladimír Študent Jr. ed to incontinence are a very sensitive issue vides a perfect view of the operated area.

UP botanists discover a new plant on Borneo

Scientists from the UP Faculty of Science a flower reminiscent of a bishop’s mitre. All discovery became clearer,” said Sochor. and the Olomouc branch of the Czech three discoveries were made by botanist Only after subsequent comparison with Crop Research Institute (CRI) have scored Michal Sochor from CRI. existing items in the herbarium and the again, discovering another plant of the “I was searching an area where the re- literature could Olomouc scientists claim Thismia genus in Brunei on the island of search has been going on for years and with certainty that they were in possession Borneo. Thismia inconspicua was found by I noticed a tiny non-green plant, an obvi- of a new species. The only found specimen the ecologists in a rainforest in early 2015. ous representative of the Thismia genus. of Thismia inconspicua in bloom remained This makes it the third discovered species Since I’ve only found specimens that were in the Brunei National Herbarium and of a genus which was not known to exist out of bloom, we had no certainty that this Resource Conservation Centre, and only on Borneo before the scientific expeditions was a new species. So I came back in two a few overblown specimens were trans- from Olomouc arrived. days and found a specimen in bloom. The ported to Olomouc. (srd) “It is a tiny non-green plant living in sym- biosis with mushrooms. The whole plant is only a few centimetres long, with no leaves; its brown flower is barely visible in the sur- rounding layer of rotting foliage. The flower is bulb-shaped, as in other Thismia species,” commented Martin Dančák from the Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences. The newly-found species is well characterised by its attribute inconspicua, inconspicuous. The Olomouc ecologists have dubbed the whole genus “hvězdnat- ky” in Czech: “starplants”. Scientists from the Department of Ecol- ogy and Environmental Sciences have been conducting expeditions to the trop- ical rainforests of Borneo for years. Their first “catch” was Thismia hexagona, fol-

photo: Michal Sochor lowed by Thismia brunneomitra, with

žurnál 2017 13 text: Martina Šaradínová discovery diagram: Kateřina Holá, RCPTM

UP scientists have created the smallest metallic magnets in the world

The world’s smallest metallic magnets Radek Zbořil, the project leader and direc- Broad applications have been constructed by scientists from tor of RCPTM. The Czech team has already demonstrated the Regional Centre of Advanced Tech- the performance of their metallic nanopar- nologies and Materials (RCPTM) at the Graphene “tamed” strongly ticles in medical diagnostics. Experiments UP Faculty of Science together with col- reactive metal nanoparticles on mouse models at the Brno laboratories leagues from Prague and Singapore. The Pure metal nanoparticles have attract- of the Institute of Scientific Instruments scientists are already testing the perfor- ed scientific interest for decades, largely of the Czech Academy of Sciences have mance of these “nano-magnets” in medi- because some of them exhibit a proper- shown that metal nanomagnets are prom- cal diagnostics, but they are also likely to ty known as superparamagnetism. “This ising contrast agents in magnetic reso- have important applications in ecology, phenomenon is inherent to very small nance imaging. However, the technology electronics, and biotechnology. The dis- magnetic particles, which show a strong may have more applications. “Anchored covery was published in the prestigious and rapid response when exposed to an magnetic nanoparticles can be manipu- journal Nature Communications. external magnetic field. It has been seen lated with graphene without affecting its The magnets were prepared by com- in metal oxide nanoparticles; its occur- unique surface and physiochemical prop- bining nanoparticles of iron, nickel, or co- rence in more strongly magnetic particles erties. The composites could thus be used balt with chemically modified graphene of pure metal was only predicted by the- as electrochemical sensors, also in elec- as a chemical trap, enabling the forma- orists. Such small metal particles are ex- tronics or magneto-optical technologies. tion and stabilization of metallic particles. tremely reactive: they spontaneously ig- Their potential for transport and ability to Graphene can be represented as a sheet of nite under normal conditions in air,” says trap chemical substances on the graphene carbon atoms that is only one atom thick; Dr Jiří Tuček from RCPTM, a leading surface suggests applications in water it is stronger than steel, conducts elec- Czech physicist in the field of magnetism. treatment, targeted drug delivery, and the tricity much better than copper, and is How did the Czechs overcome this ex- separation of important biomolecules in completely transparent. “By chemical- perimental challenge? “The synthet- biochemistry and food,” said Prof Mar- ly modifying graphene, we can control its ic procedure is quite simple – one must tin Pumera, a co-author of the study, who electrical, optical and magnetic proper- work under an atmosphere of hydrogen works in Singapore. ties. In this study, we used specially mod- and exploit the oxygen-bearing function- The scientists from Olomouc have had ified graphene to imprison ultra-small al groups acting as a bridge between na- many important successes in the fields of metallic nanoparticles between graphene nomagnets and graphene. The approach graphene research and magnetism. A few sheets, which prevented them from react- enables the preparation of a wide range years ago, they prepared the world’s thin- ing with oxygen to form more common but of small and stable metal magnets in large nest insulator based on fluorographene. less strongly magnetic metal oxides. This amounts,” explained Dr. Zdeněk Sofer More recently, the same team report- allowed us to create a new class of very from the University of Chemistry and ed the creation of the world’s strongest powerful air-stable magnets,” said Prof Technology, Prague. two-dimensional organic magnets.

14 žurnál 2017 portrait

text: Martina Šaradínová photo: Gabriela Knýblová

Miroslav Strnad Plant Physiologist

žurnál 2017 15 “I am doing science I love. And doing good work makes me happy. That’s about it.” So says the laconic director of the Laboratory of Miroslav Strnad (b. 1958) Growth Regulators, who co-discovered the anti-cancer substances Native of Ždírec (near derived from cytokinins, when he describes his scientific and educa- Jihlava), he graduated tional activities. Needless to say, his team has achieved such excel- from the Agricultural lence that even foreign experts seek training in Olomouc. University in Brno. Since 1984, he has worked in the Institute of Experimental Prof Strnad is a renowned plant physiol- “Subsequently, we managed to find oth- Botany of the Academy ogist, the author of many prestigious sci- er anti-tumour agents, such as olomou- of the Czech Republic in entific studies, patents, and most impor- cine, bohemine, and other derivatives. Olomouc. Since 1996, he tantly, the discoverer of the plant hormone These achievements lead me to the idea has run the Laboratory of meta-topolin, as well as other substanc- to further develop this phytohormonal re- Growth Regulators, a joint es with anti-tumour effects based on aro- search and development of anti-tumour workplace of the Institute of matic cytokinins. He founded and has led drugs. Since the Institute of Experimen- Experimental Botany and the the Laboratory of Growth Regulators, tal Botany, which used to be located by the UP Faculty of Science. He was a top institute worldwide in the research Hradisko monastery, did not provide suita- named Professor in 2001. of plant hormones, which celebrated its ble conditions, I happily accepted the offer He specialises in the 20th anniversary in 2016. Although his made by the dean of the Faculty of Science development of new types professional career is intertwined with life then, Lubomír Dvořák, to relocate to an of cytokinins or antibodies processes in plants, he has been obsessed unoccupied complex in Olomouc-Holice against growth regulators with and fascinated by medicine since his and to found a joint institute. We moved in with a high degree of youth. Perhaps this was the reason why he September 1996,” Miroslav Strnad recalls specificity. He conducts the isolation and identification of would so strenuously seek for ways his fa- the inception of the Laboratory. new phytohormone groups, vourite plant hormones could benefit hu- He looks back on this period as one of the study of the physiological man health. The findings of his research his most happy ones. Among others, they effects of cytokinins, and team are even used in cosmetics and agri- managed to receive their first joint grant the interaction of plant culture. with the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry hormones and molecular The alpha and omega of his career are (FMD), which launched the multidiscipli- mechanisms in the cell cycle. growth regulators – substances that deter- nary anti-tumour research in Olomouc and He has participated in mine the growth of plants. Some of them contributed to the development of several several foreign internships exist naturally – such as phytohormones, research groups. and study trips, actively further divided into several groups. Prof contributed at international Strnad has always put hope into cytokin- Inclination to medicine from conferences, and has been ins, and it was during their study when he the start regularly giving lectures at had his famous “stroke of luck” – he inci- Phytohormones have accompanied his foreign universities. He is dentally discovered substances with sig- scientific journey since the very begin- the former vice-president of nificant biological activity, giving them ning. However, even then Strnad liked to the Phytochemical Society of Europe. He is the author a Slavonic name – topolins – based on the digress into medicine. “I developed meth- or co-author of 454 original name for the poplar tree. ods which are called immuno-analyses and studies, out of which more than 160 publications are in international impact journals. He is the author of 25 national and 34 international patents. His work in science has been awarded by the Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Award from Phytochemical Society of Europe (1998); the City of Olomouc Award (1999); and the Award of the Learned Society of the Czech Republic (2004), to name a few.

16 žurnál 2017 based on antibodies. I found these meth- developed this issue in collaboration with Karel Doležal, and Dana Tarkowská, who ods so fascinating for their sensitivity, that Prof Zdeněk Kolář’s team at FMD. We have done most development in this area. although I was supposed to be working on were the first in the world to find out that We are totally unique in this in the world. phytohormones, I rather focused on the some brassinosteroids show anti-tumour It is our pride, and thanks to this we are in development of methods for study of other activity. We’ve been developing efficient touch with a number of foreign institutes,” substances, particularly those with a me- drugs and studying the molecular mecha- Prof Strnad explains. dicinal interest. The first group was metho- nisms of effects on the cellular and in vivo Lately, they have begun developing even trexate, which is used for treatment of sev- levels. Our collaboration involves physical the synthesis of individual groups of regu- eral types of leukaemia, and whose level in chemists from our faculty, a number of de- lators, trying to find biological applications the bloodstream has to be monitored close- partments from the FMD or the Institute for these derivatives of phytohormones. In ly. Especially small children are inclined of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry at relation to this, several new areas have been to overdose. In collaboration with oncolo- the Academy of Sciences,” he describes his launched, such as in cosmetics, in the de- gists, we have developed a method to meas- further directions in research. velopment of tuberculostatics, or drugs for ure methotrexate in erythrocytes, still used treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. today at the Children’s Clinic in order to Foreign experts training in The research always starts in the laboratory increase the effectiveness of treatment. Olomouc and is concluded by field experiments. I have always tended to have close relation- One of the important scientific achieve- ships with medical doctors. Despite study- ments of the Laboratory is also the devel- “A nose for people” ing agriculture, I have always been attract- opment of methods measuring the pres- Professor Strnad is not keen on talking ed by medicine,” confesses the scientist, ence of phytohormones. According to about his successes. He prefers to highlight always in a good mood. Prof Strnad, it was not an easy task, since the individual teams of the Laboratory of these phytohormones are present in plants Growth Regulators. The bond between Winning scientific spurs with in very low concentrations. In order to ex- this top-notch multidisciplinary institute brassinosteroids amine them, very sophisticated methods and its director is rather close. “It is all His research commenced with brassinos- are needed. “Their development was one about people, and I managed to find some teroids, one of the most complex groups of of our main goals from the beginning. We great people indeed. Perhaps I have a nose phytohormones. “They stood at the very did a great deal of work in this area. We’ve for them. They are all nice, easy-going, and beginning of my research; my first task was managed to develop analysis methods by enthusiastic. I like them very much and to introduce tests for measuring the bio- means of mass spectrometry for almost I have great respect for them. I believe that logical activity of brassinosteroids,” Mi- all groups of plant hormones. In particu- once I’m gone, they will carry on full throt- roslav Strnad recalls. “Then we further lar, I cherish the work of Ondřej Novák, tle,” Prof Strnad confides.

“It is all about people, and I managed to find some great people indeed. Perhaps I have a nose for them. They are all nice, easy-going, and enthusiastic. I like them very much Zdeněk Kolář Ondřej Novák and I have great respect for them.” Department of Clinical and Laboratory of Growth Molecular Pathology, UP FMD Regulators I’ve known Miroslav Strnad for 20 years, I met Miroslav Strnad for the first time since I was a young assistant working in 2000, when I started working at the with the Institute of Experimental Bot- Laboratory of Growth Regulators. Mi- any at the Academy of Sciences, looking roslav was my tutor and mentor dur- for points of contact in research of mam- ing doctoral studies; today we’re close mal and plant cells. I soon made friends colleagues and friends. Our institute with a doctoral student who commut- recently celebrated its 20th anniver- ed on the same bus. During our jour- sary, and I think that its establishment neys, we were working out our future was the most distinctive scientific ac- plans and talked about the regulation complishment of Prof Strnad. Under of the cell cycle. This is probably where his supervision, a team with interna- the idea to test plant growth regulators tional outreach and superb scientific on human tumour cells originated, upon results was created. Miroslav is a self- which his future discovery was based – less and empathetic person who is not the evidence of cytostatic effect of cyc- afraid to be surrounded with young lin-dependent kinase inhibitors. We also people and who listens to all your ide- shared an interest in fine arts. During as, no matter how crazy they are. Al- the following years, we investigated sev- though he is a critically thinking per- eral research projects together and our son, he believes in human goodness, collaboration has always been excellent. which is very enriching and inspira- I much appreciate his directness, integri- tional in today’s times (and not only ty, fairness, and reliability. for me personally).

žurnál 2017 17 success

Three doctoral students winners in French Embassy science contest

Three promising scientists from the Re- Kateřina Holá earned her achievement and the pharmaceutical and cosmetic in- gional Centre of Advanced Technologies for her current work, the pivotal theme dustries. and Materials (RCPTM) at the UP Facul- of which is carbon quantum dots – a new The laureate from the UP Faculty of Med- ty of Science stood out in the largest sci- generation of nanomaterials that could icine and Dentistry (FMD), Kristýna Kra- ence contest for doctoral students in the be applied in diagnostics, treatment of sulová, investigates interactions between Czech Republic, organised by the French several diseases and technological appli- drugs and cytochrome P450 liver enzymes Embassy in Prague. Kateřina Holá placed cations. Markéta Paloncýová, also a post- which metabolise the drugs and facilitate second in Chemistry (the Jean-Marie Lehn graduate student, submitted a work en- their removal from the body. “The work of Award), while Markéta Paloncýová con- titled “Computer Simulations of Small Kristýna Krasulová caught our attention firmed her erudition in Computational Molecule Interactions with Biomem- for the applicability of her findings in med- Chemistry (the Joseph Fourier Award) by branes”. The simulations, conducted on ical practice. In addition, she has been the her third place; in addition, she was also high-performance computers, are made author or co-author of two impact publica- granted a special IT4Innovations award. for example in order to predict the perme- tions, while being a third-year student,” said Kristýna Krasulová placed third in Phar- ability of membranes towards molecules. Martin Modrianský, Vice-Dean of the FMD macy (the Sanofi Award). These findings may be useful in medicine and a member of the jury. (srd, mav)

Opticians awarded by the Czech Technology Agency

Scientists from the Regional Centre of veloped, together with their colleagues layer optical systems for specific products Advanced Technologies and Materials from the Institute of Physics at the Czech made by Meopta or for use in nonstandard (RCPTM) and the Joint Laboratory of Academy of Sciences and the Meopta-op- applications, such as on large-sized opti- Optics (JLO) at Palacký University de- tika company from Přerov, brand new cal elements for cosmic radiation research, multi-layer optical systems, which will which we developed for projects such as be used in the products made by this larg- the Cherenkov Telescope Array, CERN, est Czech producer in the field of optics. and the Pierre Auger Observatory,” said Their project was awarded by the Tech- the main investigator of the project, Miro- nology Agency of the Czech Republic in slav Hrabovský. 2016 as one of the best projects in applied We encounter these thin optical layers research, in the category Originality of every day. They are present in practically the Solution. every optical element or product, such as The project, called “Modern multilayer eyeglasses, camera lenses, cellular phones optical systems”, dealt with selected spe- and similar devices. They radically en- cific issues of thin optical layers and the en- hance the parameters of the optical sys- tire systems made out of them. “The first tems they are applied into. part of the project investigated a brand- The Technology Agency of the Czech new technology utilising plasma in order Republic awarded Czech applied research to produce the optical layers and adequate projects for the fourth time. Twenty-eight measurement and control methods. Sub- projects qualified out of hundreds, and

sequently we designed and created multi- only four projects were awarded. (srd) | Milada Hronová Dental Clinic archive TACR photos: Eva Kořínková

18 žurnál 2017 Faculty of Arts doctoral student prevails in translation contest

Jaroslava Němčáková, a postgraduate stu- “I was quite good in English and German, dent at the Department of Slavic Studies, and we were obliged to pick yet another UP Faculty of Arts, won the translation language as beginners. So I picked Rus- contest organised by the Russian Centre sian because it seemed easy,” added the for Science and Culture in Prague. She re- student of Russian Literature at the De- ceived a contract for her translation, which partment of Slavonic Studies. She sub- will be published in 2017 by the Host pub- mitted translations of excerpts from three lishing house. books, and Němčáková thinks she won “I’m happy. Although I’ve been doing because she’s excellent in Czech. “There literary translation for quite some time in are a number of aspects that have to be translation courses, this is a great achieve- observed in translation. And the knowl- ment for me,” said Jaroslava Němčáková. edge of your mother tongue is essential,” She won the opportunity to have her trans- she said. Good translation involves per- lation published, which is a school novel fection in the comprehension of the origi- called Práce s chybami (Work with Mis- nal and its interpretation. No factual mis- though the original cannot be matched, takes) by a contemporary Russian writer takes should contaminate the text. “The in fact. The reader, however, should not Yuri Polyakov. craft is not easy to master. The effect of be able to recognise it’s a translation due Němčáková happened to start study- the translation on the reader should to how natural it appears,” explained ing Russian incidentally, at high school. be the same as with the original – even Jaroslava Němčáková. (map)

Olomouc orthodontists joined the prestigious European association NEBEOP

The Department of Orthodontics at the as the first post-communist country at the the institute management, and meeting Institute of Dentistry and Oral Sciences last year’s Congress of the European Or- with the postgraduates and their tutors,” in Olomouc became a full member of the thodontic Society in Stockholm. said Milan Kamínek, the former head of European association Network of Eras- Granting of the certificate was preced- the Dental Clinic II at the Olomouc Uni- mus Based European Orthodontic Pro- ed by an external evaluation procedure versity Hospital and a leading European grams (NEBEOP), which joins the best judging the fulfilment of demanding in- expert in orthodontics. Within the evalu- teaching institutes for postgraduate ed- dicators on the basis of extensive written ation procedure, the Olomouc clinic was ucation in orthodontics in Europe. The documentation. “Then an inspection at visited by Demetrios Halazonetis from prestigious Certificate of Membership our department followed, which allowed the University of Athens (second on the was granted to the Olomouc department us to discuss all the criteria in detail with right in the picture, with Milan Kamínek to his left and Miloš Špidlen on the far right). According to Miloš Špidlen, Head of the Institute of Dentistry and Oral Scienc- es, this membership is a matter of prestige that has no equal in the post-communist region. “In the Czech Republic, there have been two tentative members, the orthodontic departments at teaching hospitals in Ol- omouc and Vinohrady, Prague. We have been the first to join the top 25 European institutes of orthodontics with internationally recognised high-quality postgraduate education,” emphasised Špidlen. The goal of NEBEOP is to raise the quality of specialised training in orthodontics, by means of the model Erasmus Programme, conceived by a group of leading European experts within an EU project. (mav)

žurnál 2017 19 success

Jan Peřina awarded the Neuron Fund Award for Contribution to World Science

The six personalities who were granted the kept changing. You needed to make every The Scientific Board of the Neuron Fund 2016 Neuron Fund Award for Contribution effort, be patient and have a passion for sci- proposes top scientists who have signifi- to World Science included a Palacký Uni- ence. I have had a number of colleagues who cantly influenced the degree of knowledge versity representative. The laureate in Phys- are in fact also acknowledged by this award. in their fields and who dedicate their efforts ics was Jan Peřina from the UP Faculty of The award further goes to the founder of the to intense work with young generations of Science and the Joint Laboratory of Optics. Olomouc school of quantum optics, Prof scientists. The criteria for nomination in- Professor Peřina received internation- Bedřich Havelka,” said Prof Peřina, who clude personal integrity, openness to vari- al acclaim with his publications on quan- collaborates with domestic and foreign ex- ous scientific communities, and service for tum, statistical, and non-linear optics and perts and participates in projects of the De- society through science. The award was the theory of coherence of light. He is the partment of Optics and their publication also granted to the chemist Josef Michl, co-discoverer of the properties of non-clas- activities. He graduated from the Faculty of who has been to Olomouc as a guest in the sical light. He perceives the award as an ap- Science in Olomouc in 1964, having been Rudolf Zahradník Lecture Series. In Math- preciation of his fifty years of work. employed there ever since. He also works ematics, Pavel Exner was awarded; in Med- “This period was a journey through dif- at the Joint Laboratory of Optics at Palacký icine, Milan Šamánek; in Social Sciences fering times; our activities were quite diverse University and the Institute of Physics at the the native of Olomouc, Leopold Pospíšil; and the conditions for scientific work also Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. and in Biology, Jan Svoboda. (srd)

The Kingdom of the Netherlands decorated Jitse van Dijk

A member of the Institute of Social Health tionalisation: trying to make changes at (OUSHI) at the UP Sts Cyril and Methodi- several universities in order to hinder the us Faculty of Theology and a docent at brain drain. Western universities often the University Medical Center in Gronin- headhunt excellent experts from abroad, gen, Jitse P. van Dijk received the title “Of- but they are oblivious to their original sci- ficer of the Order of Orange-Nassau”. The entific environment,” said van Dijk. Netherlands thus appreciated his sub- In the OUSHI team, he is in charge of stantial contribution to the solution of social determinants of health, chronic problems in the area of public health and diseases, and public health service. He healthcare in Central Europe. is one the lecturers in the doctoral pro- His professional work is oriented at the gramme at the Faculty of Theology called improvement of life conditions of people “Social and Spiritual Determinants of with a chronic ailment, mainly patients Health” and also collaborates with sev- with multiple sclerosis, kidney failure, eral university institutes. “His work im- and Parkinson’s disease. His research has mensely enhanced the international pres- significantly contributed to the broaden- tige, quality of research, and educational ing of opportunities for their integration standards of OUSHI as well as the entire into society. “This honour is a confirma- Olomouc university,” said Peter Tav- tion that we’re taking steps in the right el, the faculty’s dean and OUSHI’s team

direction, especially concerning interna- leader. | Lukáš Bíba Jitse van Dijk archive photos: Milada Hronová | Eva Hrudníková

20 žurnál 2017 UP Law alumna’s dissertation awarded with honorary diploma

The dissertation of the UP faculty of Law evaluation was practicality and applicabil- alumna Markéta Horová was described ity,” explained Vojvodíková. as “having extraordinary quality” by the Markéta Horová wrote her dissertation Institute for Sustainable Development of under the supervision of Veronika Tomo- Settlements (IURS). She was awarded an szková from the Department of Adminis- honorary diploma in the premiere year of trative and Financial Law. The work deals the Jiřina Bergatt Jackson Award. Marké- with how flood areas and their active ta Horová succeeded with her work enti- zones are defined and focused on the pre- tled “Possibilities of Construction in Flood sumptions and restrictions on construc- Areas”. tion in these areas. The author considers The jury evaluated sixteen works from the suitability of flood areas registration eight Czech and Slovak universities. in the Land Registry and provides an as- “Works entered into competition had sessment of the current state of the dec- to deal with territorial development. As laration of flood areas for significant wa- a member of the jury I must say that all of tercourses in the Olomouc Region. “The them maintained very high standards. We success in the contest came as a surprise eventually granted one prize and four hon- and at the same time it has strengthened orary mentions,” said Barbara Vojvodík- my conviction that I need to further per- ová, Director of IURS. She pointed out fect my writing. I’d like to work in a field that the issues of territorial development of law where I could utilise this skill,” are multidisciplinary, so the prize was des- said Markéta Horová and added, “I’ll be ignated for various study programmes and happy if I inspire other students with my professions. “One of the main criteria in achievement.” (eha)

Global commission for speech therapy chaired by Kateřina Vitásková

The Standing Committee for Education Her success in the selection is a big sat- for Speech Language Pathology has a new isfaction for the speech therapist. “It has chairperson – Kateřina Vitásková from the confirmed the dominance of my concept UP Faculty of Education. in the next development of logopaedics. “It is an acknowledgement of my pro- I prefer a direction reflecting special ed- fessional and individual efforts dedicated ucation solutions as well as a pro-inclu- to speech therapy and special education. sion course, leading to direct linking of The award is also significant for the Speech interdisciplinary and interdepartmen- Therapy programme at our faculty as well tal collaboration. By this I mean the col- as all of Czech special education. The way laboration not only between experts in Palacký University manages it, it is an excel- education and healthcare, but also so- lent scientific and professional discipline,” cial services counselling,” added Docent said Kateřina Vitásková, who is Head of the Vitásková. Department of Speech and Language Ther- More than ever, it will be necessary to apy and Communication Ability Studies at build mutual relations between individu- the Institute of Special Education Studies, al expert groups and departments, which UP Faculty of Education. participate in intervention with persons The International Association of Lo- with communication disabilities. Accord- gopaedics and Phoniatrics is a scientific ing to Kateřina Vitásková, speech therapy association affiliating 55 logopaedic and should not be separated from the issues of phoniatric organisations from 35 coun- persons with special needs and should not tries. Including individual members from be concentrated in the clinical sector only, 54 countries, it has 230 000 members and because it penetrates all departments and 12 scientific boards. all age groups. (map)

žurnál 2017 21 Jiří Brady awarded by UP

kaleidoscope

Fischer Lecture given by philosopher Karel Floss

The annual lecture honouring J.L. Fischer was given at the end of 2016 by the philosopher and trans- lator Karel Floss, a student and colleague of Fischer’s, the first rector of the re-established university. It was entitled The Philosopher’s Lot in Magical Olomouc. In the crowded Corpus Christi Chap- The crowded Old Town Square in Prague el at the UP Arts Centre, he spoke of Fischer’s personal applauded Jiří Brady when he accepted traits and mentioned several milestones in history when the Commemorative Medal of Palacký the first post-WW2 rector acted in a way that should nev- University from Rector Jaroslav Miller er be forgotten. on the occasion of the 98th anniversary “Fischer’s effort to oppose violence at any cost was of the foundation of Czechoslovakia. Jiří something that made him radically different from oth- Brady survived Terezín, Auschwitz, and ers. He was able to defend academic liberties even in the subsequent death march. Brady’s life 1948 [the year of the Czech communist putsch], and to mission has been to remind humanity of stand up for his right to have his own opinion, his own the Holocaust, victims of which included individual philosophy. Even in those times, he asserted his sister Hana and both parents. “We are academic liberties and cardinal autonomy in science and awarding a man whose life story is a his- education for his university. It might not seem like much, tory textbook of this country. Allow me, until we compare his activities with other academic fig- Mr Brady, to acknowledge your persistent ures in that era,” emphasised Karel Floss. (map) effort to raise public awareness about the horrors of the Holocaust, all your help to this country after 1989, and your defence Olomouc German Studies professor awarded in Austria of human rights as well,” said UP Rector Miller. (ipu) The German Literature expert, Ingeborg Fialová Fürstová from the UP Faculty of Arts, was awarded the prestigious Danubius Award in Austria. The award has been granted since 2011 by the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe to personal- Attack 2016 tested sorting ities who have contributed to good neighbourly relations in the region of Central and of the injured in terrain South-Eastern Europe in science, research, and education. Ingeborg Fialová Fürstová is the first Czech woman who has received this award, initiated by the Austrian Feder- The targets of a simulated terrorist attack al Ministry of Science, Research and Economy. Wynfrid Kriegleder from the Universi- in the Olomouc shopping centre Šantov- ty of Vienna in his speech highlighted her ka Gallery were students of UP Faculty of founding activities, such as the establish- Health Sciences (FHS). Fortunately only ment of the Research Centre for German in the role of extras, because they partic- Moravian Literature together with her col- ipated in a tactical exercise Attack 2016, leagues from the UP Department of Ger- the main purpose of which was to prac- manic Studies, the Department of Jewish tise an effective method of sorting the in- and Israeli Studies – The Kurt and Ursula jured. The participants in this demanding test included the faculty and the Paramed- Schubert Centre of Jewish Studies, and the ic Service and the units of the Integrated study programme German for the Human- Protection System of the Olomouc Re- ities. (ipu) gion. The aim of the project, with long- term collaboration with FHS experts, is to develop a standard for sorting the injured, Faculty of Theology participated in food donation valid for the whole country. (red)

A food collection for the needy, organised by the Salvation Army, Caritas Olomouc, and People in Need, received a donation from the UP Faculty of Theology. Its students and academics presented the donation to Caritas Olomouc and the Food Bank of the Olomouc Region during an event on the occasion of the In- ternational Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The charity event, on Ol- omouc’s Upper Square, was opened by the photographer and UP alumnus Jindřich Štreit. (mav)

22 žurnál 2017 Palacký University and Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed Memorandum on Collaboration

UP Rector Jaroslav Miller, together with Petr Gajdušek, the State Secretary of the Minis- try of Foreign Affairs, signed a Memorandum on Collaboration, involving international re- UP Vice-Rector Miroslav lations, law, political science, public health, Mašláň – Visionary of the and social work. “The Memorandum will sup- Year port internships for UP students in the Czech The award for the outstanding person- Republic and abroad, research and expertise ality in Czech innovation was awarded in areas of common interest,” said Ivana Ob- by the CzechInno Association for the orná, UP Vice-Rector for International Rela- first time last year. The title “Vision- tions. (map) aries Project Person of the Year 2016” was awarded to the UP vice-rector Mi- roslav Mašláň for his achievements in Nanomaterials in the fight against counterfeiting technology transfer. The jury acknowledged his lifelong work and exception- Scientists from the Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials (RCPTM) al contribution to development of inno- have an efficient tool for the quick and cheap detection of counterfeit goods in liquid states. vation and technology transfer in the The new technology may be utilised by liquor, cosmetics, and perfumes producers and in the Czech Republic. production and distribution of fuels. The method has already met with interest among inves- tors and its commercial potential has been confirmed by the gold medal from the 2016 Invent Arena, an international exhibition of technical innovations and patents held in Třinec, host- ing 21 exhibitors from 21 countries. KeyLock is an instrument which prevents counterfeits by means of a unique pair of com- pounds called Key and Lock. The method is based on adding certain molecules into the product in very low concentrations. These molecules work as a lock that protects the product. A nanomaterial made on the basis of magnetic particles and silver with an anchored chemical key then enables to find and select these molecules, separate them by means of a magnetic field, and extremely precisely evaluate their concentration by surface-enhanced Raman Miroslav Mašláň (on the right), cur- spectroscopy. “The Key and Lock used are known only to the producer; it can be changed rently UP vice-rector and former rector, on request. The chemical lock added appreciated the award as a confirma- to the product is identical with natural tion that those many years of his activi- ingredients, is absolutely non-toxic, ties dedicated to the ideas of innovation and not harmful to the environment,” and technology transfer were steps in the said Václav Ranc, the co-author of the method. The test of authenticity takes right direction. “I take it as an apprais- only a few minutes, and the costs for al of not only my activities, but mainly such a protection are minimal, giv- Palacký University on its achievements en the overall product’s price. The over many years in the areas of inno- RCPTM experts are now working on vation, entrepreneurship, technology the optimisation of the method in or- transfer, collaboration between the aca- der to make it applicable to solid mate- demic and application spheres,” said the rials and goods. (srd) first historic laureate. (mav)

Palacký University again among 500 most prestigious universities

In 2016, Palacký University again succeeded in international university rankings. The journal U.S. News and World Report featured UP among the 500 most respected universities in the world, while on the national scale, UP placed second, after Charles University in Prague. In 2015, the oldest Moravian university reached the “bronze” position among Czech universities, however last year UP managed to surpass Czech Technical University in Prague. Olomouc’s university broke through the world’s top 300 universities in chemistry, botany, and zoology. photos: Similarly to previous rankings, the success of UP was based on its performance especially Milada Hronová in the natural sciences, where a high number of publications reached the top 10 or even top Vojtěch Duda 1 percent of the most cited works in the field, as well as on broad international collaboration. Alžběta Kučerová The 2016 U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings list UP at number 494. Charles Martina Šaradínová University in Prague as in the previous year is the domestic leader, placing 201st. Third Olomouc Region Emergency Medical among Czech universities, Czech Technical University in Prague, dropped from last Services year’s 399th position to number 535 this year. A pool of 1262 universities worldwide were Donau-Universität Krems/skokanitsch polled in the rankings, and only the top 1000 schools, from 65 countries, were ranked. (srd) CzechInno

žurnál 2017 23 lifestyle

To the soaring heights… text: Martin Višňa photos: with a pacemaker Markéta Hanáková archive

The mountains are like a mag- Hanáková, who works as a radiology as- and trekked for an easy few minutes. For the net. Markéta Hanáková can sistant at the Olomouc University Hospi- time being we were breathing air typical at tal, wanted to reach the new record togeth- those altitudes, so the experts again care- vouch for that, not giving up er with her boyfriend, Zdeněk Hodinář, by fully monitored how our bodies reacted at mountain climbing even after climbing Afghanistan’s highest peak, Nos- those heights. What was interesting was having a pacemaker implant- haq – 7 492 metres. The mountain, in the that even though we were both operating at ed after her heart stopped words of the woman climber, had other ide- the same altitude conditions, each of us was several times due to a birth as. “During the acclimatisation and setting differently acclimatised,” as Hanáková ex- up the high camps, we had it pretty good, plained the measuring. defect. She is the first person but during the time of our last attempt at The mountain reality however differs sig- in the world with a “ticker” the summit the weather went complete- nificantly from laboratory conditions and to reach the height of 7 219 ly against us. Every day there were storms good results on paper are not enough. “In metres, a record which she dumping new snow, it got colder, and the the laboratory we were ‘up there’ only dur- winds increased,” reminisced Hanáková on ing the testing periods. When a person is tried to beat last year. Ex- her August expedition. constantly in the mountains at that height, perts at the UP Faculty of But as she says, she and her boyfriend they perceive it much more intensively, and Physical Culture aided her in have a clean conscience. They gave it their if the time comes when a person cannot her preparations. all on the mountain. And they did not under- cope with the altitude, there is no button to estimate their preparations, during which push – we have to do it ourselves, go lower for three weeks they did “boot camp” in the to where the body can start feeling better,” Peruvian Andes at heights around five thou- added Hanáková, who reached her physical sand metres. At the Faculty of Physical Cul- depths on Noshaq. ture, under Michal Botek and his colleagues She has not decided to give up on the from the Department of Natural Sciences pastime which she took up after her twen- in Kinanthropology, they went through re- ty-fifth birthday, even though before she peated non-stress and hypoxic stress tests had never been any kind of athlete or moun- at Olomouc’s altitude, simulating heights tain climber. However, she is well aware of averaging roughly from four to six thousand certain limitations. “It might seem today metres. that the pacemaker has not changed my “Thanks to special equipment and oxy- life much, but after the operation I thought gen masks, Dr Botek simulated altitudes of that that was the end of mountain climbing 6 200 metres. That part of the research went for me. But we have kept on; we just have to okay. For the entire period they monitored plan a bit differently for all the hikes and ac- our blood pressure, the oxygen saturation tivities. I do feel that it is not as easy as it used in our blood, our heartrate. After evaluat- to be,” adds Markéta Hanáková, who also ing the non-stress part we went for a ‘moun- writes, has photo exhibitions, and shows tain hike’. We were ‘placed’ at 4 500 metres documentaries about her travels.

24 žurnál 2017 text: Ivana Pustějovská photos: Gabriela Knýblová interview

Delana Mikolášová: Failure is not a problem. It is taken into account.

žurnál 2017 25 She clipped an article on diplomacy from which in recent years has been building Delana Mikolášová (b. 1985) a girls’ magazine when she was in middle a successful image as a country of start-ups school. The profession fascinated her. At and progressive new firms. Israelis are re- Graduated in Political home in the small mountain town of Ha- ally trying to be seen as a top country in the Science and European nušovice, from time to time she would let world regarding science, research, and in- Studies from the UP Faculty herself dream, what if? What if she could novation – and not as a country of conflict. It of Arts. She had study really become a diplomat, if she could trav- is a well-chosen strategy which has attract- stays in the Netherlands el, live abroad and meet interesting people? ed interest not only on the part of European and Israel. Her first work And what if she could someday see Israel? countries, but also India, China, Taiwan, and A country with which she had nothing in Latin America. These international ties are experience was gained common, but which had always attracted the result of very sophisticated diplomacy, during her studies at her. Most romantic dreams coming from Ha- diplomacy oriented at practical rather than the Organisation for the nušovice stay right there, up in the Jeseníky political cooperation. This is a diplomacy Prohibition of Chemical hill country, forever. But not hers. Delana which profits all sides and does not touch the Weapons in The Hague Mikolášová eventually became a diplomat. controversial Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It and the EU Delegation to The first Czech Scientific, R&D and Innova- makes sense, because a number of technolo- Tel Aviv. She spent more tion attaché. And where does she represent gies which were originally developed in Isra- the Czech Republic? In Israel. el are now used worldwide. than a year and a half at the University of Tel Aviv ——To follow one’s dreams, a person ——Your placement is limited to a pe- during her study stay. In actually has to do something. You riod of two years, with the possibility 2012, she beat out over studied Political Science at Palacký of a one-year extension. You’re now at 200 candidates for a place University, but your interest in the the halfway point of your mission, so at the Diplomatic Academy Middle East goes back much further, you are in a position to evaluate. Have for junior diplomats at the doesn’t it? you been surprised by anything? Czech Ministry of Foreign The region has always attracted me, and Israelis are very direct and truthful; even if when I was fifteen or sixteen I began to be- you are used to that, sometimes that direct- Affairs. She has long come interested in Judaic law, in the Torah, ness is almost bewildering, and very difficult specialised in the Middle in Islam, I was even interested in the reli- to explain to Czech partners. For instance: East. She has been employed gious dimension of the Palestinian-Israe- Israelis will wait a few hours for an e-mail at the Czech Ministry of li conflict, I wanted to know what its roots answer, one day at the max. They do not wait Foreign Affairs in that were. In high school I would read books un- three weeks. When they see an opportunity, capacity since 2013. Since der my desk on the theme. Our class advisor, they decide on it immediately. I often have to a mathematician and physicist, would tease explain to the Czech side that even if we per- November 2015 she was been me, telling me that I’d never find work in that haps have a more complicated bureaucra- working as the science and area, that I ought to switch to technology and cy, it is simply necessary to make swift and technology attaché at the maths. But I told him that I was going to try specific decisions. It doesn’t work in the way Czech embassy in Israel. to do what interested me. When I thought that you get a business card from an Israe- about what I would study next, I chose Polit- li partner and half a year later you call him, ical Science at Palacký. saying you met once and you have an interest in cooperation. ——You became our first Scientific, R&D and Innovation attaché. What ——What are our university’s chances kind of visions did you bring into in making promising collaborations? your career? You’re not a fortune Very great: our sciences and applied re- teller, you’re a political scientist. search are at the highest levels. One weak- I think that in order to perform my work ness, however, is that we are not very good properly, I don’t have to be an expert in mi- at “selling” our findings. Israelis typically do crobiology or organic chemistry. I have great not need to base cooperation on complicat- respect for all the scientists, men and wom- ed theoretical elaborations, they want spe- en, whom I’ve met. For a diplomat it is a joy cific steps – a scientist comes, he meets with to meet with esteemed professors who are a colleague from the university, presents his experts in their fields. They are admirable work, and if he is able to interest someone in and at the same time nice people who are it, then the collaboration between universi- captivated by their work. My work howev- ties is continued and something is created. er is different – I have to know how to bring Israelis are quite blasé when discussing gen- the Czech and Israeli sides together. I have to erally described projects, they always want know how Israelis negotiate and think, what a specific collaboration core. kind of information they expect from their Czech partners, and vice versa. My position ——So, don’t be afraid to make is to meet with people and show them what contact? possibilities Czechia has in the areas of sci- Failure is never seen there as a problem. ence and research, and find suitable inter- Not at all. Failure is taken into account. Is- sections for cooperation. And by no means rael is a powerhouse in the area of inno- a small part of my work is communication vation. But the successful inventions and between both state administrations. technology which today make up the show- case of their start-up country are often made ——Why did the placement of the by leaders who were perhaps unsuccess- first scientific attaché go to Israel? ful twice before. They learn from their mis- Israel is an extremely dynamic country, takes. Mistakes are not a problem, they are

26 žurnál 2017 a natural part of the process of knowledge, ——Already at a young age you are of improvement. Czechs are not yet used to living your dream to work in diplo- that kind of thinking. But if we are to get over macy, abroad. How could you better it, we’ll have to learn not to be ashamed of fulfil your dreams? making mistakes. I am really happy that I can do what I am doing. My work is dynamic. The world around ——Are you used to life in Israel? To me, even the scientific world, is in constant the constant risk, young men and flux, which is reflected in my work. I like women with guns everywhere? the fact that the content of my work is var- If you travel there as a tourist, at the be- ied and I get to keep meeting new peo- ginning it might seem surprising and per- ple and challenges. At the same time, I am haps even oppressive. But if you’re there for grateful that such a professional chance a longer time and you’re used to it, you get and such responsibility were given to me at nervous when you go to a shopping mall my age. Every job has its downsides, how- and there is no such control. Israelis are ever, which are not immediately apparent. conscious of risk and they respect the safe- Sometimes you invest so much energy and ty rules, which are part of their daily lives. effort into something which nobody sees. A left backpack will be immediately noticed Occasionally there are the somewhat un- and reported. And thanks to that awareness comfortable things like moving house, and it is actually a safe country. The first tourist everything that goes with raising a family impression should be that no one should be abroad. Otherwise, I can’t complain. I also intimidated or deterred from visiting. appreciate that my university thinks of me. Maybe it sounds like a catchphrase, but I am ——Are Israelis friendly? truly honoured that the rector invited me to Certainly. They are ready to communicate the Alumni Reunion. I have a special place with you, when you need something, some- in my heart for Olomouc and its university, Delana Mikolášová and Dean of the Faculty one will always take care of you, give you no matter where I happen to be. I love to re- of Arts, Jiří Lach advice. The society there is used to helping turn, and I love being part of the university people out, you can see it in the communi- community. ties of Israelis living abroad. The first thing an Israeli does when travelling is to see how ——What helps you manage your “I have a special place in the Jewish or Israeli community is living work on the personal front? my heart for Olomouc and Without the support of my family, par- there, or contact someone who has already its university, no matter been there, meet with them, get tips on ac- ents, and siblings keeping a discrete eye where I happen to be. commodation, etc. That’s how they operate on me, I would never be able to accomplish in all walks of life, there is no shame in ask- this work. My husband helps out a lot. It is I love to return, and I love ing someone for help, contacts, to commu- very lucky in this profession to find a part- being part of the university nicate. ner who understands and supports you. community.” Time off is also very important, a per- ——Do they help outsiders, too? son needs to know when to take a break. Yes. I experienced this myself for the first I’m a dog person, I love taking walks with time years ago, when I studied in Israel. our greyhound. And after months spent They often helped me, and I would ask, why? abroad, I treasure my roots even more. Why invest time and energy into an outsid- A walk around Hanušovice and the lovely er? They explained to me that it is not com- Jeseníky environs often recharges my bat- pletely “unselfish”. That perhaps I will re- teries more than an exotic holiday. I’m hap- turn the favour in the future and that we will py that I have a home to go back to and that have a more personal relationship. And they there are people there worth returning to. were right – I see it in my work, where I have Family and friends are important anchors to keep making new contacts, communi- for me, no matter whether they are in Ha- cate. It’s a good thing to have the trail slightly nušovice, Olomouc, London, or New York. blazed before you, someone who knows you, We keep in touch. someone advising you. Personal contacts in Israel are very important. When people meet ——Are you planning for your future? for example for coffee or a working lunch, For the time being my entire future is filled which could easily be a sandwich in the cor- with the work I am doing now. I would like ner bistro, they are creating a quite differ- for example to make possible visits this ent relationship than if they were resolving year to Palacký by Israeli personalities who things by e-mail or telephone. Many inter- could lecture to students. That is why I am esting projects have been formed thanks to glad that in October, with Prof Lach’s help, this kind of informality. Of course if I am we will welcome Dan Scheuftan – a re- negotiating as the embassy representative, nowned Israeli expert on national securi- they treat me with respect. But even at that ty and former advisor to the Israeli prime moment, what is more interesting to the Is- minister – to Olomouc. And Olomouc is raeli is what you think about things, how you connected to one of my personal obliga- are prepared to negotiate, what you want to tions: I want to finish my doctoral studies. achieve, than the academic title on your busi- But otherwise planning my future is tough ness card. They go straight to the core of the – I’d love to continue in the diplomatic ser- problem, they do not sweat the small stuff, vice, but for the time being I am living (as they try to focus on what is important. you said) my dream.

žurnál 2017 27 testing centre

text: Martin Višňa photos: Jan Volf, Martin Višňa

BALUO: Bases of Application Life Utilities Olomouc

The university campus at Neředín has been stamped with the hall- mark of uniqueness. The Faculty of Physical Culture (FPC) has completed its Application Centre BALUO, which might seem at first like an ordinary complex of athletic halls and a pool. But in actuality, it is a modern science-technology park aimed at the support of a healthy lifestyle and movement, absolutely one-of-a-kind in Czechia.

Components of its uniqueness were gradu- The heart of the modern complex is of ally revealed during its test run, for exam- course the diagnostic studio for physical ple during the university’s Open House, culture. “Because at present the level of when prospective students could examine physical activity is declining in the pop- the test pool facility, although they could ulation, lots of people do not even know not see the cameras which are used to ana- how to properly exercise. When they try, lyse swimmers’ movements. There are sen- they often hurt themselves, rather than sors located throughout the test halls, in- being rewarded by physical activity. So cluding a ski trainer with adjustable slope AC BALUO offers a helping hand – we’d and speed, a “smart” fitness centre, and like to explain to people, clearly and sim- a climbing wall. ply, what the state of their body is, and

28 žurnál 2017 then based upon that, to recommend in- prove the quality of preventive care for all dividual physical activities with respect social groups. to their physical and psychological state, and also according to their habits and Smart technology what they enjoy,” said Ilona Hapková, Di- Interesting cooperation is also taking place rector of the Centre. in the large testing hall, which is being monitored by a unique geolocational system The essential starting line by the Sewio firm. It is more precise than It doesn’t matter whether you are talk- standard GPS and can be used to monitor ing about a schoolchild, a working and measure movement of players on the adult, a senior, a person with a handi- court with the precision of centimetres. cap, a weekend athlete or a top athlete: Smart technologies are also used in the AC BALUO is for anyone who is interest- fitness centre with an area of over 300 m2, ed in taking part in research in the area which contains all essential zones for the of an active lifestyle. What is essential is development of muscle power and physi- finding out where one’s “starting line” cal fitness. All a visitor has to do is go up is. All a person has to do is to go there, to the specific machine with their chip, and fill out a questionnaire which will pro- the machine will set the level of difficulty vide their experts with basic information, according to the visitor’s individual pro- and then go through a diagnostic pack- gramme. age according to their recommendations, The Application Centre BALUO, con- one’s needs and goals. struction of which was supported by “After determining the actual status, i.e. a grant from the Operational Programme one’s starting line, the client can choose “Enterprise and Innovations”, was offi- a physical activity or we can recommend cially opened on 11 November 2016, by one. The client can consult us about their representatives of Palacký University and movement programme and complete it in notable public figures from throughout the areas in our centre. We place the empha- the country. Hundreds of interested peo- sis on the individual needs of a given per- ple were attracted to the evening’s diag- son and the length of the programme. We nostic-sport programme. would like people to get to know their bod- There was yet another event on the ies, to take care of them, and follow their de- same day, which attracted significantly velopment with our expert help and better less attention, but which will lead to fur- their physical fitness. We expect to coop- ther improvements in the FPC facilities – erate with people who want to start to take and not only for research. A contract was care of themselves and protect themselves concluded with the developer of the Cen- from the onset of the civilizational diseases tre for Kinanthropology Research build- of our modern era,” Hapková added. ing, which will be converted from a former At the same time, centre clients become military laundry standing in close prox- anonymous components of the centre’s re- imity to the Application Centre BALUO. search. The recorded data will help im- It should be completed by the end of 2017.

AC BALUO ski “slope” tested by former Czech Olympic team Students from the UP “Children’s University” were also alpine skier Martin Vráblík welcomed at AC BALUO

žurnál 2017 29 reportage

Chomoutov’s alchemy of beer

What do you think – can one compare having a successful firm listed on the New York Stock Exchange to pouring a beer in a small Haná village? No, that’s a bit ridiculous. But not if you have had both success in a multinational firm and also at making your own beer. We’re talking about Jiří Omelka, manager, brewmaster, and co-owner of the Chomout brewery in Olomouc-Chomoutov… and a Palacký University graduate.

text: Ivana Pustějovská photo: Gabriela Knýblová

30 žurnál 2017 The Chomout brewery also brews the original ale of Palacký University: UP Ale

We’re sitting at a table in the brewery pub. working “from – to” doesn’t work, because Don’t imagine when we say brewery we are it is always “from – to” somewhere else. So talking about some gigantic plant with doz- forever on the phone, in airports, in the car. ens of workers in overalls and trucks full of “It was great, an unbelievable, inspirational beer leaving every minute. Not here. We’re atmosphere, but we had three small daugh- sitting in a quiet building covered with ivy ters and I didn’t want to spend so much time on the village main road. In the courtyard travelling.” there are small technical premises where the beer is brewed. Everywhere around me – Distillation experiments on the greenhouses, the employees’ t-shirts, When a friend told him he wanted to open and on the walls – there is the recognisable a pub and microbrewery in Chomoutov, he trademark of the brewery – a horse. Well, was interested. “For a long time I had been horse… more like something between a di- flirting with various alcoholic distillations, nosaur, a dragon and a horse. At any rate, from fruit wines to mead to beer.” It was the a symbol which, in the two and a half years’ latter which finally got him. “I didn’t drink existence of the microbrewery, has etched beer until I was probably thirty. And even its place firmly into people’s minds. now I am not your typical beer drinker. I like to taste it, but I guess I prefer wine, coming From aeroplanes to the global as I do from wine country,” he laughs. Cho- stock market mout is a family firm, with five permanent “Most people think we’re a much older employees. “We’re a small brewery, we pro- firm,” smiles Jiří Omelka, at the table. He duce four thousand hectolitres of beer annu- entered the brewing business together with ally,” he tells me in the warehouse, carrying his friend Jarda Švarc. At that time he had a sack of grain. By the way, Jiří Omelka must already had a successful career behind him hoist each sack of grain several times before in personnel at several multinational com- his lager pours from the pipes. panies. His life story pretty well sums up to- Brewing beer is a little like alchemy – mi- day’s era, when a person can try out a num- crobreweries like Chomout come up with ber of professions. But one basic condition their own brews, creating herbal beers, has to be fulfilled first – one has to be eager chilli beers, melon beers, lavender beers.… to try and learn new things. Jiří enjoys experimentation. “Sometimes Jiří, who was born in Jarošov, studied they’re one-offs, we have a hundred-li- at the aviation middle school and was set tre tank where I experiment. These are for a career as a mechanic. The rest of his not beers for everyone, just aficionados. life would be spent in the aeroplane manu- Our best-selling beer is a traditional lager, facturing plant in Kunovice. But he decid- which makes up sixty percent of our pro- ed to continue his studies, and chose Psy- duction.” He conducts many of his own chology at the Faculty of Arts in Olomouc. experiments, sometimes giving advice to Already during his studies he realised that experienced brewers, be they in Czechia rather than a psychologist, he would be or on another continent. When he thinks better off in the profession which goes by about what the university prepared him the initials HR on people’s CVs – Human for, it’s easy. “School taught me to say what Resources, i.e. working with people, their I want, where I want to go, what I need to selection, evaluation, etc. He worked for do something, whom I need, whom to learn several firms, including managing a multi- from, and what I’m doing it for. And that national corporation. “We were able to get is true regardless of the professions I have our firm listed on the New York Stock Ex- been in,” says a man who sometimes enjoys change, a huge success for us,” he remem- just taking a look around the local at those bers. But the price of success came high. who are drinking the golden brew with the In a firm with branches on all continents, weird horse on the glass.

žurnál 2017 31 university town text: Milada Hronová | photo: Gabriela Knýblová The university choir: affair of the heart

It is close to 6 pm and dozens of people are who is also the choir’s chair. Ateneo has its wise. “Many members of the choir start rushing through the gloomy streets. Many own student body. This allows students to out as students and stay even after they’ve of them share a destination. They’re head- have a say in what and how the choir is going graduated college,” Pavel Režný from the ed for the Palacký University Arts Centre. to sing. “Our choir master has the final word, Department of Music Education, UP Fac- They run up the stairs to the third floor of course,” Michaela emphasizes. ulty of Education, explains. This is the man and enter the well-lit Baroque choir hall. Singing with a choir can unite people who’s been leading Ateneo for fifteen years. They’ve reached their destination. They of various vocations and courses of study. He is the choir’s leading personality. have come to the regular rehearsal of Ate- While Michaela studies English, her choir- “We have a varied repertoire. We sing neo, the university choir. mate Michal Koláček studies IT and music both old and modern music, from songs They greet each other, take out their sheet culture. “I’ve been singing from a young by Gioacchino Rossini to Jan Vičar or An- music, and start warming up. Among them age but when I first met Pavel Režný and tonín Tučapský. My favorite author is is Michaela Rudolfová, a student of English. he had me sing the seemingly simple song Jiří Pavlica,” Pavel Režný, the choirmas- “I enjoy singing very much. It’s fulfilling. ‘Já do lesa nepojedu’ (I Will Not Go into the ter-and-music-theorist-in-one explains. It Also, I always have a good time with the peo- Forest), I became a bit uncertain. He test- was Jiří Pavlica and his musical ensemble ple here. To be honest, none of us can even im- ed my ability to sing in different keys. The Hradišťan that the choir performed with at agine what we’d be doing had we not joined intonation was what was important,” the the Alumni Reunion. “We were glad to be the choir. Ateneo is an affair of the heart for newcomer, who sings tenor in the choir, able to sing with both Hradišťan and Leona everyone here,” she confesses. The slender recalls. He considers himself to be more of Machálková. The choir found it incredibly brunette has many years of experience in At- a rocker. He plays the piano and also sang inspiring to be working with such profes- eneo. She’s been singing since childhood. Af- in several bands. And although the music sionals,” Režný adds. When asked wheth- ter graduating from high school, she left Ústí he plays leans toward rock, he sings almost er he feels limited by his singers’ duration nad Labem to study in Olomouc, and despite everything in the choir. “It’s excellent voice of study, he smiles. “The choir is being being quite far from home, she never stopped conditioning,” Michal adds. held together by the desire to sing, the at- singing. “Music is a sort of mental relaxation The clock’s ticking, it’s a little after six. mosphere, and the company of like-mind- to me. And even though we all take it quite se- The rehearsal begins. The hall resounds ed folks. I’m convinced nothing will change riously, that doesn’t mean we don’t have our with dozens of voices. Apart from students, on that front going into the future,” Pavel share of laughs,” says the university student, I also see singers who don’t quite fit in age- Režný believes.

Ateneo, the mixed choir of Palacky University Olomouc, is the recipient of a number of awards. Performing since 2001, it holds its rehearsals in a space provided by the Department of Music Education at the Faculty of Education. It represents Palacký University at conferences and concerts in the Czech Republic and abroad. The choir has performed in the Netherlands, Turkey, Hungary, Norway, and the United States. The concert ensemble consists of 35 singers.

32 žurnál 2017 experience

School gardens

text: Velena Mazochová of Eden photos: Marcela Krejčí archive

Marcela Krejčí’s dream of visiting Africa came true twice. What Marcela with girls who are part of the Child she found there was not just the purpose of volunteer work Sponsorship Programme but also the value of ordinary interpersonal relationships and in the Oturgang-Girls a simple approach to life. What she also found in East Africa was elementary school in a fitting topic for her M.A. thesis. Paidha, Uganda.

Fascinated with Africa since high school, came true was called Nebbi. She worked active workshops as well. At these work- Marcela initially wanted to become a war in the town with a population of 36 000 as shops, children learned how to recognise correspondent or to fight the spread of HIV. a volunteer in the Child Sponsorship Pro- the symptoms of widespread infectious In the end, she ended up at the CARITAS – gramme of the Archdiocese of Prague diseases such as cholera or malaria, or College of Social Work Olomouc and at the Caritas. how to follow the rules of hygiene. same time, at the Sts Cyril and Methodius While working with the local chap- “Since then, I have always wanted to go Faculty of Theology of Palacký University, ter of the Caritas, she visited schools and back to Africa,” Marcela says, even despite where she is currently finishing her M.A. families of Ugandan children and helped the fact that she herself was unable to avoid studies in the International Humanitarian them with letters to their Czech spon- one of the serious risks – malaria rendered and Social Work study programme. sors. She also updated their profiles. her unable to work for over a week. It re- “Sometimes it was necessary to remove turned later on. Marcela sees even this ex- First time – of many? children’s names from the programme perience in a positive light – she had the The first time Marcela used the opportu- because they moved away. Some girls opportunity to test the local healthcare sys- nity to stay in Africa was during the sec- were also married and pregnant at, say, tem, although she initially feared hospitali- ond year of her B.A. studies. She spent 13 years of age. We also unfortunate- sation. “They took great care of me. My col- five months in northwest Uganda to ac- ly had to deal with the CAN syndrome, leagues, our cook, and the nuns who lived quire mandatory months of work expe- child abuse and neglect,” the Olomouc at the hospital took turns in tending to me,” rience. The place where her dream first student describes. She organised inter- she recalls with a sense of relief.

žurnál 2017 33 M.A. thesis: School Gardens in vide more informed information at home. Kenya It gives purpose to both my studies and my Marcela Krejčí (b. 1991) She travelled to Africa again in March future,” she affirms. She spent a total of eight 2016. This time to Kenya, for a three- months in Uganda and Kenya month internship at the ShineBean organ- Culture shock? After returning to as an intern in the Child isation. She spent her time at the Barchan- Europe Sponsorship Programme of do and Gobey schools observing how the East Africa, with its rich culture of many the Archdiocese of Prague school garden project aids food safety and ethnic groups, is now an affair of the heart Caritas and the ShineBean poverty reduction. Kenyans and Ugan- for Marcela. That’s not the only reason why organisation. She worked dans, Marcela says, rely mainly on finan- she keeps coming back, though. She also for five years as a volunteer cial support from abroad. It is, however, misses the locals’ mentality, the beauti- for Maltese Aid, Caritas important for them to learn how to take ful nature, and the simple, albeit difficult Olomouc and the Archdiocese care of themselves. The project of build- everyday life. Marcela does not hide her ex- of Olomouc Caritas. She ing gardens on school grounds provides citement. “The people there consider fam- currently works as an intern an opportunity to do so. “The schools can ily to be very important. In place of a social in the Prague centre of the grow everything they need. In Barchan- security system, they simply must rely on People in Need organisation, do, children eat lunch prepared from their each other. This means that interperson- where she has a part in own resources thanks to their school gar- al relationships are more important and projects in Sri Lanka, the den. They keep hens and sheep together also closer than here. They live simple lives, Philippines, Myanmar and and they grow essential vegetables, corn, which I guess also existed here a long time Cambodia. In the spring, she and beans. The school is also a market ago. They’re always smiling, they’re never plans to travel to Ethiopia, for the local community. It makes a profit in a rush, they enjoy day-to-day life. And where she was selected to which can go toward funds that allow pu- all this despite the many dangers and risks. work as a coordinator of the pils to, for example, continue their studies When you live in a village, you’re in much UN’s volunteer programme. in high school.” closer contact with nature, which is beauti- In Kenya, Marcela experienced the ful there,” she enthuses. everyday life of a village family while living It is because of this that Marcela always with one. This included a lack of water, low finds returning home more difficult than standards of hygiene and safety, and “ac- one would think. “You adapt to different commodation” with rats and cockroach- conditions after about three months. Af- es. “It was difficult at first, but it was neces- ter that, you’re ready to live in that culture. sary. It allows you to move forward, to find But that’s suddenly interrupted and you Like every coin, Kenya too out what your limits are, and to realise you go back to European stress. No one smiles has two sides – a better side can handle way more than you’d thought.” at you here, no one asks how you’re do- and a worse side. It’s up to Close contact with specific people also al- ing, and you generally only communicate you which side you choose to lowed Marcela to get to know local condi- thanks to your phone. That’s why I experi- focus on, and in what light tions better. “It means that I can be more ence culture shock rather upon returning you remember this beautiful efficient at helping and also that I can pro- to Europe,” Marcela Krejčí says. country.

Marcela in a dress from traditional Marcela in Kenya with a group of women Kenyan textiles with her colleague – an who help protect children and adults Evangelical minister who helps self- from the jigger flea – a parasite living in supporting groups and small farmers. dirt, attacking peoples’ feet.

34 žurnál 2017 text: Eva Hrudníková photos: Gabriela Knýblová graduate

Lenka Konrádová:

Each morning I have to look myself in the mirror

žurnál 2017 35 “When a person is appointed a judge, tremendous power is put into their hands. And that power must be handled very carefully, and exercised humbly,” says Lenka Konrádová. She knows of what she speaks. A graduate of the UP Faculty of Law, and currently a judge at the Olomouc division of the Ostrava Regional Court, she has been exercising that power for almost twenty years.

She admits that law – specifically criminal spect, but if you deny their appeals, they will law – is something that has attracted her cease,” she emphasises. since she finished grammar school. “Crimi- If asked to define a “good” judge, it would nal law fascinated me due to its content. I am not take her long. She believes that success interested in people and their fates. I was in this profession is very difficult to gauge. also attracted by the possibility of trying to “A judge must have a certain feeling for fair- do something – in some way – so that people ness within themself. A person is born with will not carry out criminal acts.” Thanks to this, and during their life it is raised and de- her focus on the goal, hard work and, as she veloped. A person must have a healthy sense says herself, favourable circumstances, she of self-awareness and courage,” she believes. has been able to make good on that front. And how difficult is it for her to judge? “I try “I am doing work which interests me, and to judge in a way so that I have a good feel- continues to interest me. Even after all the ing about my work, in order to look myself years and experiences I have behind me.” in the mirror each morning. I have to know After graduating university and a brief that I have done the maximum, that I have stint in a law firm, she became a trainee clarified the case, and that I have judged ac- judge at the District Court in Olomouc. She cording to the evidence and to the best of my Lenka Konrádová (b. 1972) passed her judicial exams and finally en- knowledge and in good conscience.” She graduated from the UP tered her awaited criminal law. Although One other thing is important for her – Faculty of Law in 1996. Three she cannot recall her first decision with ex- knowing how to relax. “Without relaxa- years later she was nominat- actitude, she remembers her first years in tion? Impossible. Sport refreshes me,” says ed as a judge by President her judge’s robes as tough and extreme- the exquisite tennis player, skier, badminton Václav Havel. She is a former ly difficult. “Getting used to, and moreover player, cyclist, skater…. Chairwoman of the Board becoming accustomed to, the fact that I am of the District Court in Olo- making decisions on guilt and criminality, Proud Olomoucian mouc. In 2006 she completed was by no means easy. My work was with me Her professional career has been influenced a stay at the Ostrava Regional both day and night,” Lenka Konrádová re- by a number of favourable circumstances. Court. In mid-2010 she be- members, and adds, “I believe that a person For example the re-establishment of the UP came a permanent judge at in this profession has to adopt a certain rou- Faculty of Law in 1991. Lenka Konrádová the Olomouc branch of the tine.” She was a judge at the district crimi- is a graduate of its first class, some 20 years latter court; she is a member nal court for ten years and also specialised in ago. “Although I am an Olomoucian, and criminal law and traffic. of the Board of Appeals spe- a proud one at that, I had to go to university cialising in traffic laws. elsewhere. When I finished my high school Respect for the courts lacking studies in 1990, the Faculty of Law was no Within the halls of justice, she has decid- longer here,” she explains why she began to ed cases with media attention, such as the study law in Bratislava. “My studies there death of a schoolgirl on a trampoline, the were connected with constant travelling to embezzlement by the mayor of Štěpánov, and from school, classes were held in Slo- and steroid smuggling into the prison in vak, in short the negatives of studying in Mírov. “I have never felt that the media Slovakia were exchanged for the positives should in some way influence my decisions. of studying in Olomouc when the Faculty of Or that because of it, I ought to try harder. Law was re-established, allowing me to re- I have always tried to make peace with my- turn to my native Olomouc. On top of that self over my decisions.” If she could, she there was the break-up of Czechoslovakia.” would plead for greater media attention And it was a lucky step. Only sixty stu- to those responsible for traffic accidents. dents were accepted into the first class of the “When I started, most criminal offences re- re-established school. “The time and the at- garding traffic were due to negligence. To- mosphere were really something. The lesser day however, there are more and more cases number of students allowed a more individ- which are deliberate, as road rage increases. ual approach on the teachers’ part, which Behaviour in traffic is a reflection on our so- I consider a huge plus for us.” The first dean, ciety. And a suitable use for the media would Miroslav Liberda, plays a big role in her be prevention,” the judge asserts. memories. “He was a teacher with a human According to her, the dire state of to- side and the school was in his blood.” day’s society is closely connected to the Lenka Konrádová has never lost contact courts’ authority. “I do not have a good with her alma mater over the years. She con- feeling about the disrespect for the rules of tinues to cooperate with the faculty, as a the- good behaviour, let alone regulations and sis advisor and as a guarantor of student in- laws. People are losing their respect for the ternships at the Olomouc branch of the courts. They have no problems about en- Ostrava Regional Court. “So that I can at tering the halls of justice in sweatpants or least somewhat repay what the school gave shorts. At first they will address you with re- me during my studies.”

36 žurnál 2017 text: Velena Mazochová photo: Lukáš Navara foundation

Vladimír Mihál, Denis Dvořák and Marián Hajdúch

Medicine helped him. Now he helps others.

Three men, one photograph. A doctor, a student of medicine who has been successfully treated for leukaemia, and a scientist have lent their faces to the foundation Rakovina věc veřejná (Cancer is a Public Affair), whose campaign to support research of tumorous diseases was supported by select Czech media. It combined not only an attempt to address the general public, but also a happy story of overcoming an insidious disease, thanks to the most modern therapeutic methods and approaches.

To increase the awareness of the public on of a campaign we wanted to make the area oncological research was a group decision of support visible, which abroad is mas- by the third-year student of general med- sively funded from private and charitable icine, Denis Dvořák; the Head of the Olo- sources. At the same time, we drew atten- mouc Children’s Clinic, Vladimír Mihál; tion to the existence of a foundation which and the Director of the Institute of Molec- co-finances tumour research. Many people ular and Translational Medicine at the UP have contributed to it, but we believe that in Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (UP Czechia this area and its potential are still FMD IMTM), Marián Hajdúch. “By means greater,” says Marián Hajdúch.

žurnál 2017 37 Return to a full life matters most. At any rate, since finish- Rakovina věc veřejná When Denis Dvořák was two and a half, ing treatment I have never had any serious (Cancer is a Public Affair) he fell ill with acute lymphatic leukaemia, illnesses, nor do I think someone ought to – The Olomouc Cancer the basic treatment method for which is be caring for me.” chemotherapy. “Like every oncological Research Foundation, was disease, it is serious. It greatly depends on Repaying a debt founded in 1997 as the first the prognostic signs and proper diagnos- However he has been offering his help non-profit organisation in tics. And our surgery is one of the best in as a member of the Šance (Chance) Olo- the Czech Republic to support the country, due to excellent cytogenet- mouc citizen’s cooperative, which tries to research and development in ics,” explains Vladimír Mihál, empha- help children undergoing demanding an- the area of tumorous diseases. sising: “Denis luckily had what is called ti-tumoral treatment and in their return It is also aimed at the primary a standard type of acute lymphatic leu- to ordinary life. Denis Dvořák has been in- and secondary prevention of kaemia, and so we knew that unless some- volved in various activities since his child- malignant tumours and other thing unusual would happen, it could be hood, and since he was eighteen he has serious civilisational diseases. treated.” worked as one of the leaders of summer At the same time it contributes As with the majority of child patients, and winter camps, which he himself used to the fostering and further Denis’s treatment lasted two years. In the to go to as a child. “I’d like to contribute in education of experts and first six months he went through inten- my modest way to the work of the cooper- to providing standard and sive “protocol” treatment in the hospital. ative. Maybe it’s like repaying a debt, but non-standard medical and “This is based on intravenous application most of all, I enjoy it,” says Denis. scientific equipment. It also of different types of cytostatics,” Mihál ex- develops intensive educational plains. For another six months of main- R&D – The basic requirement for activities via its information- tenance therapy he would go to the clinic successful treatment prevention projects intended once a month. “It is a still very demanding According to Mihál, the success rate in for the general public. It treatment consisting of two cytostatics, the treatment of acute leukaemia has in- directly supports the science but it is administered orally. At the same creased significantly in the last two dec- and research being carried time we monitor the patient carefully, ades. “Only twenty years ago, the surviv- out at the state-of-the-art praying with them that the treatment will al rate for acute childhood leukaemia was workplaces at the UP FMD be successful,” says Mihál. only 10–15%. The overall survival rate of IMTM. Denis did not feel that the disease had such patients today in Olomouc is 95%.” a marked influence on his childhood, nor And as Marián Hajdúch emphasises, does he follow any special regime today. research and development of new treat- “Aside from regular check-ups at my gen- ment methods and approaches has played eral practitioner, I live like everybody else, a large part in this positive trend: “Re- without barriers.” His personal experience search is always in its infancy. But if you with a serious illness however perhaps in- do not carry it out, nor support it, the test fluenced his view of himself and the world results will bear that out. You have to be- around him. “I think that I’ve realised what gin sooner than later.”

Cancer research supported by a book of fairy tales Famous celebrities decided to support research into tumorous diseases by an original method, writing a book of “Dedicated Fairy Tales”. Ten original stories from the pens of Dr Josef Koutecký, biathlon athlete Gabriela Koukalová, comedian Lukáš Pavlásek, singer Ester Kočičková, and actor Igor Bareš, with illustrations by Carolyn Gad, was published by the Cancer Research Foundation in a bilingual Czech-English edition.

38 žurnál 2017 reflections

photo: Gabriela Knýblová

Yogeeta Dahal was the first Bhutanese student in Czechia. Her three-month study stay at the UP Faculty of Science was the result of cooperation between the Department of Development Studies and the Royal University of Bhutan, within the auspices of the Erasmus+ programme. She studies Management of Natural Resources at her home university.

Olomouc – A place for young people I am happy that I could come here, thanks to the Erasmus+ programme. Your university is vast, with colleges and departments spread out across the city, quite different from the university in Bhutan. Because I was the only student from Bhutan, I had the opportunity to introduce our university and I was thrilled at the interest in my country. The UP Faculty of Science and the people who work at the university treated me in a very friendly fashion, making me feel welcome here. Olomouc is a university town, one dominated by young and energetic people. The weather surprised me, as it was quite unpredictable: warm sunny mornings, cloudy afternoons, and cold, windy evenings. The bright orange fallen leaves added another touch of beauty to the place. The city of Olomouc is alive both day and night. For young people it is simply a perfect place for living, education, and exploration. The city will not leave you be, neither spiritually nor physically. And even if you are occupied with lectures and studying, there are still a lot of other things you can do: take an evening walk and get to know the surroundings, make friends with other students on exchange programmes with whom you can exchange opinions on various cultural traditions, take part in diverse events, and of course explore the city and visit different places. During my short stay, so many things took place that there was no time to be lazy! Thanks!

žurnál 2017 39 testimony text: Jiří Fiala | reproduction: Žurnál UP

“Francjosef” and Olomouc

Last year marked the centenary of the gymnaziums in Moravia, in Brno and Olo- Gynaecology and the Maternity Ward had death of the Austrian emperor and ruler of mouc. On 5 August 1872 the monarch was to wait for their own pavilion until 28 De- the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1867, in attendance for a portion of the final exams cember 1899; other pavilions were built in Franz Joseph I, born 18 August 1830 in the in Olomouc’s Slavonic Gymnazium, at that the years following. Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, where he time located at 3 Purkrabská Street. The commemorative plaque in the vesti- also died on 21 November 1916. The Olo- bule is still there and the Latin inscription mouc Regional History Museum marked Healthcare by “Herr Kaiser” can be translated as follows: “The reigning the centenary with an exhibition entitled The Kaiser’s history in Olomouc is not con- Emperor Franz Joseph I ordered the Diet of “Franz Joseph I in Olomouc”. fined to educational institutions, but also the Margraviate of Moravia by decree dat- includes healthcare. Recall that on 1 April ed 1 April 1892 to construct this building Imperial visits 1892, the Moravian Diet in Brno resolved, for treatment of the infirm.” Olomouc played an important role in the life acting on a proposal by Olomouc delegate of this 68-year reigning monarch; he visit- August Weeber, to build a new hospital in ed it ten times. During his third visit, on 2 Olomouc, a complex of pavilions on Tabu- December 1848 in the Olomouc Archbish- lový Hill, in what was at that time the sep- op’s Palace, he took charge of the Austrian arate community of Neugasse; the original Empire, the power passed to him by the ab- budget came to 600 thousand Gulden. dication of his uncle, Emperor Ferdinand The first pavilion of the Moravian Re- I (1793–1875), and the renunciation of the gional Hospital was built from 1894–1896, Now this building, which the staff of the throne by his father, Archduke Franz Karl and handed over to the management on 19 Olomouc University Hospital call “Franc- (1802–1878). On one hand, the name of Em- August 1896; out of a total of 268 beds, 105 josef” and is designated B1 and B2 on its peror Franz Joseph I is attached to the de- were for internal medicine, 95 for surgery, maps, houses the Geriatric Ward. We hope crees which gradually (and finally, in 1860) 56 for ophthalmology, and 12 for infectious the commemorative plaque will survive the shut down Kaiser Franz University in Olo- diseases. On 14 September 1896, patients scheduled complete renovation of the old- mouc, instigated by the Austrian Minister from the prior hospital, currently the site of est pavilion of the hospital and will con- of Religion and Education, Leopold, Count the UP Faculty of Arts at 10 Křížkovského tinue to remind all of the magnanimous von Thun und Hohenstein, (1811–1888); Street, were transferred to the new facility, investment into healthcare for the inhabit- on the other hand, the Emperor in 1867 al- and on 16 November of that year opening ants of Olomouc and its greater environs by lowed the establishment of two Slavonic ceremonies for the first pavilion were held. “Herr Kaiser”.

“Greetings from Olomouc” – Moravian Regional Hospital. Postcard, J. Werner, Olomouc, pre- 1909.

40 žurnál 2017 Genius loci…

titulní strana obálky – hudebník, skladatel a pedagog Tomáš Hanzlík foto na 1. a 3. straně obálky: Gabriela Knýblová www.upol.cz SHORT PROGRAMMES AND SUMMER SCHOOLS

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