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It’s no surprise windsurfing is a big sport in coastal countries, but it enjoys considerable popularity in landlocked Czechia. Kateřina Švíková, representing her country at the Olympic Games in Paris, is proof. “There's a foil under the board that lifts it up at speed, and it makes the board basically fly over the water. It's definitely a much bigger adrenaline rush. I find it faster, more physically demanding, and that's what I like about it. I like speed,” says the twenty-three-year-old student of the Institute of Economic Studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences.
In April 2022, Charles University adopted its first Equal Opportunities Plan, committing itself to implementing measures to cultivate organizational culture and to improve working conditions. With this plan, CU aims to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels safe and welcome and has the same chances to develop their own potential, regardless of any obstacles they may face.
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports announced the results of its public competition in research, development and innovation ie. ERC CZ research on Wednesday, 3 July 2024. The competition, which provides robust financial support for promising and innovative projects was held for the eighth time. For Charles University, this year’s inception proved to be a great success: all four projects put forward by CU researchers received backing.
It had been five years since Charles University received the prestigious award “HR Excellence in Research” (the HR Award) from the European Commission. Accordingly, the award enhances CU’s prestige and attractiveness for recruiting new researchers, including those from abroad, since the award is a guarantee that the university meets European standards in terms of caring for employees, the openness and transparency of selection procedures, and a high-quality working environment.
It was his first stop on his first official visit to the Czech Republic as head-of-state. Slovakia's new President Peter Pellegrini, who took office in mid-June, made his first official visit to the Czech Republic on Wednesday 26 June, starting with an important stop at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University. At the newly installed memorial site on Jan Palach Square, he paid tribute to the victims of the December shooting at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University, in which 14 people were killed and 25 injured.
Friends and key Charles University representatives this week attended the 20th annual university garden party, traditionally held on 24 June; the well-established festivity, held under the auspices of the Senate of the Czech Republic, took place at none other than the Wallenstein Garden. It would be hard to imagine a more fitting setting for CU to underline and celebrate top accomplishments by staff and students over the last academic year.
A Czech-Bavarian research team is developing an artificial intelligence that specialises in gastroscopy. The new international research project GI-Insight therefore aims to make gastroscopies even more precise and safer: Researchers at Julius-Maximilians-Universität (JMU) Würzburg and Charles University in Prague want to develop new artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that support doctors directly during a gastroscopy.
Following the tragic event of 21 December 2023, Charles University continues to build a safe environment, preparedness and resilience. As part of the recovery of academic life, we have updated a signpost of useful psychological support contacts, information on safety and other support activities. Support continues to be available for students, faculty and staff from across the university.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, on Wednesday, 19 June 2023, signed a new Cooperation Agreement with Charles University and the school‘s Faculty of Law. The agreement is intended to further develop existing cooperation to promote academic engagement through teaching and research on forced displacement. The aim is to inspire law practitioners of the future to delve further into this legal area.
Almost six months have passed since tragedy struck the Faculty of Arts at Charles University: a mass shooting that claimed 14 lives. CU has since responded with key measures. The head of the Central Crisis Staff of Charles University Otomar Sláma and security expert Zdeněk Kalvach discussed steps already implemented and crucial steps still to be taken, with Forum magazine.
According to the newly published QS World University Rankings 2025, Charles University is once again among the top 250 universities in the world, placing it among the top 1.5% of universities worldwide. Compared to last year, the school rose by two spots and is now ranked 246th. It is once again the best of the 16 Czech universities ranked in the survey.
Charles University hosts a great many events but last week saw one that was truly exceptional: MIT Global Experiences. The conference brought together representatives from academia, science, and the world of venture capital. Special guests included Justin Leahey of MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives.
Concerned with the increasing demands and rapidly changing social, environmental and political contexts in which public health actors operate, has brought together numerous players in the field. Representatives from universities in Brno, Liberec, Olomouc, Ostrava and Prague, together with representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the Institute of Public Health and the WHO recently at the Carolinum at Charles University.
The management of Charles University has long pointed out that if we want to promote a knowledge-based economy in the Czech Republic, i.e. an economy with higher added value, and thus develop the long-term prosperity of our society, it is essential to pay attention to the support of education, research, development and innovation.
Under the auspices of its Rector, Prof. Milena Králíčková, Charles University is organising a conference entitled "Building Excellence in International Joint Study Programmes". The meeting of Czech and foreign experts will focus on international joint study programmes, their implementation, financial support or promotion.