MENDEL news 2/2026 (eng) by MENDELU

2-26

The Employee Newsletter of Mendel University in Brno

MENDELU at the Trade Fair for Crop and Animal Production

From 12–15 April 2026, the AGRI SHOW agricultural fair will take place at the Brno Exhibition Centre, presenting a comprehensive showcase of crop and livestock production in one place. Visitors will explore modern agricultural machinery, new technologies for crop production and animal husbandry, including related products and services. The event also features a professional accompanying programme focused on current trends, innovations and developments in agriculture. A key part of the fair is the National Livestock Exhibition, offering a comprehensive view of animal production in practice. The fair complex also includes SILVA REGINA and BIOMASA trade fairs, expanding the thematic focus to forestry and renewable resources. This creates a unique platform connecting the entire primary sector – from agriculture and forestry to sustainable natural resource management. Mendel University in Brno will also participate with its own stand, presenting its activities in agriculture, forestry and sustainable resource management.

Major activities in 2024

Rector’s Inauguration

The ceremonial inauguration of the Rector of Mendel University in Brno, Assoc. Prof. Ing. Martin Klimánek, Ph.D., will take place on Tuesday, 21 April 2026 at 1:00 PM in the MENDELU auditorium. All employees are warmly invited to attend this festive occasion.

4. Festival of Master’s Programmes, Space Day and SpaceNet at MENDELU

On 4 March, representatives of all master’s programmes gathered in one place at MENDELU. Prospective students had the opportunity to learn about the differences between bachelor’s and master’s studies, as well as hear about study experiences and practical placements.

During the day, visitors could also attend SPACE NET & SPACE DAY MENDELU, which connected academic staff and students working in the field of space research and space applications.

Water Days 2026 at MENDELU

From 21–27 March, on the occasion of World Water Day, the traditional international educational event Water Days will take place, organised by the Platform for Professional Education in Water Management. The programme will be held at MENDELU, Lipka Jezírko and the Secondary Technical School of Construction Kudelova in Brno. The main theme is water in the landscape and its role in forest, agricultural and urban environments, including climate change adaptation. The event is open to students from the Czech Republic and abroad, schools and the general public, and will be held in English.

Open Science Publishing Fund 2026

The Open Science Publishing Fund 2026 is intended to support open-access publishing by researchers and Ph.D. students. The maximum financial support per article is CZK 50,000. Please see the website for detailed information and complete the application form to request funding.

Welcome Week 2026

In February, Mendel University in Brno once again opened its doors to a diverse community of international students participating in the traditional Welcome Week organised by the International Relations Office and ESN MENDELU. The week included introductory Czech language lessons, exploration of Czech culture and opportunities to build new friendships. Students visited the underground tunnels in Znojmo, the Punkva Caves, and, as always, tasted wines from South Moravia. This semester, we welcome students from across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas and Oceania.

Dragon Boat Races

The Dragon Boat Races for MENDELU employees are back! The event will take place on 28 May at the Brno Reservoir. The programme starts at 10:00 AM and is scheduled to finish at 5:00 PM. The event promises sport, teamwork and a great atmosphere. Register your crew – each team may consist of 17–21 members, including a drummer. Teams must be mixed (minimum 5 women and 5 men). Each participant may be a member of only one team. All university employees may participate, regardless of employment percentage. The team captain must register the crew by 20 April with a complete list of members. The number of teams is not limited.

Happening at MENDELU

Stockholm Junior Water Prize

National Round

On 29 April 2026, Mendel University in Brno will host the fifth national round of the prestigious international competition Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP). The competition is intended for secondary school students working on projects related to water and its significance in addressing global challenges. The event is open to students, teachers, professionals and the general public. From 1:00 PM, finalists will present their innovative projects in Room M12. The winner of the national round will represent the Czech Republic at the international final in Stockholm in August 2026.

Information on the Purchase and Internal Recharging of MENDELU Promotional Items

The purchase and internal recharging of promotional items is managed by the MENDELU Communication and Marketing Office.

Promotional Merchandise Sales at MENDELU shop

On 23 February 2026, the MENDELU SHOP opened on the ground floor of Building X. It serves for personal purchases by students, employees, alumni and others. Purchased products cannot be recharged to departments. Opening hours: Tue–Thu: 8:30–11:30, Fri: 12:00–13:30

Distribution and Internal Recharging of Promotional Items

The promotional merchandise warehouse for internal recharging is located in Building Q (basement). To collect items for your department, you must complete the order form on the website and

have it signed by the authorised person and the budget manager. You will be notified by email once your order is ready for collection. Orders are processed within five working days. The amount will be deducted from the department’s budget (source 1502) or from projects where promotional items are eligible. Due to accounting reasons, the products available for internal recharging differ from those sold in the MENDELU Shop.

Pohořelice Carp –

Monthly Sales at MENDELU

Every last Thursday of the month, a sale of fresh and smoked fish products from Pohořelice carp and other freshwater fish will take place in front of Building M.

You can look forward to a wide selection of fresh fillets, carp halves and portions, smoked specialties, as well as delicacies such as fish soup, fish goulash, spreads, and smoked fillets in oil or aspic. Card payment is, of course, available.

We will regularly inform you about the current offer in the HR Newsletter. You can subscribe to it here

MEDIA HIGHLIGHT

4. 2. – Novinky.cz – Mass Fish Die-Off in the Dyje River Likely Caused by Algal Bloom: HERE

4. 2. – Agris.cz – Scientist Studies the DNA of Microorganisms in Antarctica: HERE

6. 2. – iBrno.cz – Czech Brew Star Competition Showcased Beers from Six Countries: HERE

10. 2. – Metro.cz – Teaching Enriched by Virtual Laboratories and an Anatomical Dissection Table: HERE

12. 2. – Brňan.cz – New University of the Third Age Branch Opened in Komín: HERE

23. 2. – Ekolist.cz – DDendrochronologists Study Century-Old Pistachio Trees: HERE

Happening at MENDELU

The Library Reopens Its Study Rooms After Renovation

The University leadership and the Library cordially invite all employees to the ceremonial reopening of the newly renovated study rooms, which will take place on Monday, 23 March 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Come and see how the Library will fulfil its vision of a modern, user-friendly and open institution – a place that meets the needs of those seeking quiet study areas and academic literature, as well as those looking for a space to relax between lectures. The new premises will host exhibitions, author readings, documentary screenings and other community events you can already look forward to. Visitors will have access to four team study rooms, which can be flexibly converted into two larger rooms, and a small kitchenette where coffee or tea can be prepared.

Construction works were carried out from May 2025 to March 2026. The total renovation costs amounted to nearly CZK 41 million, of which CZK 35 million was financed through project CZ.02.02.01/00/23_023/0009082 Increasing Efficiency, Infrastructure Development and Academic Environment Enhancement (ZEBRA). One of the key objectives of the renovation was to open up the ground-floor space of the historic Building A as much as possible and restore the dignity it had when originally constructed. At the entrance from the main staircase to the basement, additional partition walls were removed, the server room was relocated, and the original columns and historic flooring were uncovered and restored. This resulted in the creation of a so-called column hall, which can now serve as an exhibition space or a relaxation area for students. In the Information Centre,

plasterboard wall and ceiling cladding was removed to reveal the original load-bearing concrete arches. After careful restoration, these now form the dominant architectural feature of the entire space. In the apse of the study room, the original roof skylight was removed, the ceiling was insulated and the roof re-sealed, putting an end to more than two years of water leakage into the walls. As the study rooms are located in the basement of Building A, the construction process was significantly affected by the presence of old electrical and network cables, sewer pipes and water and gas lines. Each installation had to be assessed to determine whether it was still functional or could be removed. On both sides of the Information Centre, relatively deep floor ducts – almost the height of a shorter person – contained pipes that were likely part of the original hot-water heating system. These were cut out and removed in what was a demanding and risky task due to the dusty environment and limited access points along the length of the room, designed to minimise damage to the flooring. The ducts were subsequently repurposed for new electrical and network installations.

A bricked-up entrance to one of the towers was discovered, as well as the original wall ventilation system. Not all findings, however, were positive. Increased moisture was detected in the parapet masonry on the north-eastern side. Although remedial work was carried out as part of this project, its complete elimination will require reconstruction of the first courtyard of Building A.

A significant portion of the construction budget was dedicated to installing a completely new ventilation system, not only in the Information Centre but also in the study room, the journal reading room and the evening study room. To accommodate the new technology, restrooms had to be relocated and newly constructed. Visitors can now look forward not only to clean air and a comfortable temperature, but also to entirely new sanitary facilities. Sustainability was a key consideration throughout the project. In the reading room, the original wooden gallery was reused, modified and extended. A new feature in the Information Centre will be freestanding lighting fixtures that provide pleasant illumination while automatically adjusting their intensity according to natural daylight and the presence of people. They create light “islands” where visitors are seated. These features will help reduce electricity consumption and contribute to the University’s sustainable management approach.

Happening at MENDELU

SUSTAINABLE MENDELU

OSVĚDČENÍ

O PŘÍNOSU ŽIVOTNÍ PROSTŘEDÍ

pro

Mendelova univerzita v Brně IČ: 62156489

která v roce 2025 předala 121 kg odpadních baterií. Jejich recyklací bylo získáno 91 kg druhotných surovin, které byly využity při výrobě nových produktů.

MENDELU RECYCLES BATTERIES

This year, additional battery collection containers will be installed across the campuses in Brno and Lednice, in cooperation with the company Ecobat.

Děkujeme, že nám pomáháte šetřit přírodu a její Sběrem

PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

On Tuesday, 3 February, the Faculty of Business and Economics at MENDELU hosted the 2nd annual conference Social Entrepreneurship in Practice: Partnerships for Sustainable Regional Development. The event was organised by the MENDELU Centre for Social Responsibility and Sustainability (CSR MENDELU) in cooperation with the Declaration of Responsible Entrepreneurship and the social enterprise Teamium, with the support of the South Moravian Region. The conference once again confirmed that social entrepreneurship holds a firm position in the Czech Republic and, above all, has significant potential for future development.

The morning programme brought together representatives of social enterprises, municipalities,

public contracting authorities, businesses and financial institutions. Participants shared practical experience, examples of successful cooperation and discussed key challenges for 2026. THEY gained an overview of legislative updates, new business opportunities, funding possibilities and the importance of socially responsible public procurement.

Particularly inspiring were concrete examples of cross-sector collaboration, clearly demonstrating that partnerships between social enterprises, universities, the public sector and businesses are effective and create real impact.

The programme was once again moderated by Sylvie Formánková, founder of CSR MENDELU, together with Jan Klouček from Teamium. The opening remarks were delivered by Marie Jílková. The event also included networking opportunities and refreshments, including coffee provided by the Teamcaffe bistro and café. Presentation stands of social enterprises and universities showcased the diversity and strength of this ecosystem. We would like to thank all speakers from JINAG, Kolibřík CSR, Masaryk University, DPD Czech Republic, Brno University of Technology, the South Moravian Region, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, ČSOB, the National Development Bank, MAS Podbrněnsko, Čistá Trojka, FC Zbrojovka Brno and others, as well as all partners, organisers and participants, for their open discussions, sharing of experience and commitment to developing regions in a sustainable and meaningful way. We are pleased that, together with CSR MENDELU and Teamium, we can be part of initiatives and events that give work and entrepreneurship a deeper purpose.

More information about the conference can be found here. The photo gallery is available here.

The Library Supports Students in Writing Their Theses

During the summer semester, the Library continues to offer regular thematic seminars designed to support students in the preparation and writing of their final theses. The seminars show students:

• where and how to effectively search for relevant literature,

• how to write academic texts and properly structure a thesis,

• how to cite correctly and avoid plagiarism,

• how to work with citation managers,

• how to use AI tools ethically and transparently.

Participants can now also attend practical training focused on citation creation or take advantage of group consultations on referencing. The full seminar offer and registration details are available on the Library website.

If you are interested in inviting the Library to contribute a thematic session within bachelor’s or master’s thesis seminars, please do not hesitate to contact us at marija.supicova@mendelu.cz

Discounts on Open Access Publishing

In 2026, MENDELU academic staff can take advantage of discounts on Open Access publishing with selected publishers. Newly available are also discounts with the publisher Elsevier. Please review the discount terms and conditions for more details.

Research Data Management Analysis at MENDELU

The Open Science Centre conducted an analysis to gain a comprehensive overview of current practices and the needs of researchers in the area of research data management. The analysis focused on identifying the current state across all institutes of Mendel University in Brno and aimed to uncover the specific challenges faced by researchers. We would like to thank everyone who met with us and contributed to the process. The results of the analysis were presented to the Rector’s Commission for Creative Activities in December 2025 and to the Rector’s Commission for ICT in February 2026. The full text of the Research Data Management Analysis at MENDELU is available here.

Za společnost

Kratochvíl

spolupracující společnost

Happening at MENDELU

MENDELU Ph.D. Week For the First

Time in Spring

The popular MENDELU PhD Week, traditionally held in autumn, will take place for the first time in a spring edition this year. We invite not only first-year doctoral students but also those in higher years of study. MENDELU PhD Week is a week-long series of lectures and workshops focused on topics directly relevant to doctoral students. Participants can look forward to an overview of project-related issues, guidance on grant opportunities, recommendations for publishing activities, and a clear explanation of the employment and legal aspects of doctoral studies. The programme will also include a media training workshop with a professional journalist in front of the camera. Participants will have the opportunity to practise speaking on camera, working with their voice, formulating clear and understandable answers, and explaining complex scientific topics to a general audience.

The MENDELU PhD Week will take place from 20 to 24 April 2026. For more information about the programme and course registration, please visit the website of the Project Department.

Webinar: Secondary Data as a Source for Research

This practice-oriented webinar will guide you through the use of secondary data as a research resource. We will focus on where to find secondary data, including an overview of selected data repositories and other open-access sources. We will also discuss how to assess the quality of secondary data and demonstrate how to effectively use such data in your own research projects.

The webinar will take place on March 24 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on MS Teams. Registration and further information are available on the website of the Open Science Centre

Consult with the Data Stewards Team

Do you need to publish underlying research data together with your publication and are not sure how to proceed? Do you want to improve the organization, quality, or documentation of your data?

Contact our university Data Stewards team.

As part of the Open Science Centre services, we provide academic staff and doctoral students with comprehensive support in managing research data throughout its entire life cycle, taking into account disciplinary specificities. We will help you not only meet the requirements of funding agencies and publishers, but also set up efficient and sustainable data management practices.

How can we support you?

• Data cleaning and preparation – preparing data files for sharing or open publication

• Data quality control – identifying errors, checking consistency and data structure

• Documentation support – creating clear data descriptions, metadata, data management plans, and concise descriptions of research data for project proposals

• Selection and use of data repositories – recommending suitable repositories and supporting data upload

• Setting data standards – methodological support and recommendations of best practices

Book an individual consultation and take your data management to the next level. Contact us at: open-science@mendelu.cz

MENDELU at APAIE 2026 Conference

MENDELU participated in the APAIE 2026 conference in Hong Kong as part of the Study in Czechia booth. Meetings were held with long-term partners, including Prince of Songkla University and Kasetsart University. The main topics included the development of BIPs and COIL courses, as well as further opportunities for cooperation in international education.

The participation contributed to fulfilling the goals of the HEROES alliance in the areas of blended mobility development, international cooperation, and innovative educational formats.

From the world of science and research

Opportunity to Propose Topics for High School Research Activities

Until March 13, 2026, academic staff at MENDELU can register topics for supervising high school research projects (SOČ) for the 2026/2027 school year. This year, a change has been introduced, each supervisor may now propose a maximum of two topics. Emphasis is placed on innovation, topical relevance, and professional contribution to the respective field.

SOČ (Středoškolská odborná činnost) is a prestigious competition for high school students, where they work on their own research projects and engage with research institutions. JCMM, the coordinator of the competition in the South Moravian Region, manages a topic registry from which students select their research focus. Each year, JCMM selects topics to receive funding of up to CZK 20,000 for materials and provides the supervisor with a reward of CZK 10,000.

Get involved and use your expertise to motivate and support talented high school students. More information about SOČ and relevant links can be found here: High School Research Activities –Department of Educational Affairs.

GA ČR Calls for Proposals 2026

The Grant Agency of the Czech Republic has announced calls for proposals for Standard Projects, International Projects, POSTDOC INDIVIDUAL FELLOWSHIP, and Return Grants. Project proposals can be submitted until March 31, 2026. The results will be announced in November this year. Funded projects that succeed in the multi-stage evaluation process will be implemented from 2027. Project proposals will be submitted by the Rector’s Office (PO REK) via data box no later than Monday, March 30, 2026, by 3:00 PM. Further information available here

Return Grants

In March, the launch of the first round of the grant competition under the OP JAK project Návraty MENDELU is expected. The competition is intended for principal investigators and research staff returning to research careers after a career break. For more information, please visit the project website.

Internal Competitions of the GA GJM

The internal grant competitions of the Gregor Johann Mendel Grant Agency of Mendel University in Brno are soon to be announced in Category A – Interdisciplinary Internal Research Projects and Category D – Applied Research Projects.