Newsletter for PhD students and Postdocs

Excellent Conditions for Exchange Stays and Cooperation with Taiwan

Text: Zuzana Jayasundera / Photo: Ctirad Hofr

Seven days, six universities, dozens of meetings, and one clear goal: strengthening academic bridges between Masaryk University and Taiwan. Our faculty also joined the delegation. The results include concrete agreements, a memorandum of understanding, and offers for internships and joint research projects.

Cooperation of Masaryk University with Taiwan: Masaryk University initiated a collaboration with Taiwan, hosting a meeting on April 11, 2024, in Brno with the Association of Taiwanese Universities. Twelve prestigious institutions from Taiwan attended the event. Based on the successful meeting, the leadership of Masaryk University decided to prepare an official delegation to Taiwan, led by Vice-Rectors Petr Suchý and Michal Bulant. Representatives of the Faculty of Science joined them. The delegation included the Vice-Dean for Research and Internationalization, Ctirad Hofr, along with Petr Kubíček, Director of the Department of Geography; Petr Táborský, Director of the Department of Chemistry; and Pavel Souček, expert in thin film and nanostructure depositions; to meet with the leadership of top research and educational institutions and arrange very interesting possibilities of scientific cooperation and exchange stays. These will be mentioned first in the article, and then you can read a report about how the trip went and in which topics our faculty wants to cooperate with Taiwanese institutions. As Hofr said: “I highly recommend a stay in Taiwan to our students, especially those in PhD studies. It is a great opportunity to fulfill the requirement of a one-month internship,” concludes Hofr.

Opportunities for Stays and Scientific Cooperation Programs for Czech participants in Taiwan (students, researchers, and scholars)

• Visegrad–Taiwan Scholarship: This programme is intended for PhD students and postdocs and is funded by the National Science Council of Taiwan (NSTC) Visegrad Fund
• Taiwan Experience Education Programme: Programme for students, funded by the Ministry of Education of Taiwan (MOE) TEEP
• Subsidies to Invite International Science Scholars and Experts to Taiwan for Short term Visits: Programme for faculty staff, funded by NSTC
• Yushan Scholars Programme: Programme for faculty staff, funded by MOE Yushan Project
• International Internship Pilot Programme: Programme for international high talents, funded by NSTC IIPP

The Czech Footprint in Asia

The delegation also received strong support from the Czech Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei. Besides scientific topics, participation in fairs for high school students and further development of cultural cooperation was discussed. “Taiwan sees the Czech Republic as a partner. And now we have the opportunity to fill that with content that will benefit our students and science,” summarizes Hofr.

What Comes Next?

In the coming months, specific steps will begin – from internship planning to joint research grants. Academics and PhD candidates from MUNI now have a new path to develop their work in cooperation with leading institutions in Asia. “Taiwan is ready. Now it’s our turn,” concludes Hofr with a call to our faculty community.

Whole article here.

Czech-French Research Mobility: New Call for Projects 2026-2027

Guardians of Data: Mission FAIR – Discover the Role of Data Stewards

Data stewards are becoming indispensable figures in modern research – quietly ensuring that data is well-organized, reusable, and aligned with FAIR principles. But who are they really, and how can you become one? Join our six-part webinar series Guardians of Data: Mission FAIR to explore:

• The mission and daily work of data stewards
• How they support scientists and research teams
• Tools, skills, and education that shape their role
• Real-life stories from those working behind the scenes
• How you can join the growing data stewardship community

Whether you're a researcher, project manager, librarian, or just curious about research data management, this series will give you a fresh perspective on one of the most crucial role in science today.

👉 Follow us on social media to catch each new episode as it’s released! X / LinkedIn

The EDUC Retreat: Mental Health of Young Researchers

Take a break from the pressures of academia and join us for this international event, where you’ll explore essential topics such as wellbeing, work-life balance, resilience, and mindfulness. Build resilience and support your well-being through expert-led lectures focused on mental health, stress management, and work-life balance in academia — with the opportunity to attend up to six sessions tailored to your interests. Invest in your mental health and return to your research with renewed clarity, motivation, and energy.

Offered Lectures:

How mental health is made: what you take away from psychotherapy as knowledge (June 2, 9:05 – 10:35)
Flourishing in Academia: Effective Strategies for PhD Students’ Well-being and Resilience (June 2, 11:00 – 12:30)
Sleeping: Crucial strategies of efficient Work-Life Balance & Stress management (June 2, 14:00 – 15:30)
Awe in Nature: A Well-Being Enhancer for PhD Students (June 3, 9:00 – 10:30)
"That issue my brain has with writing..." Enhancing focus and dealing with academic workload (June 3, 11:00 – 12:30)
Who is the impostor? Figuring out realistic and unrealistic expectations in academia (June 3, 14:00 – 15:30)

An overview of the event is provided in the attached flyer.

Please note that registration is required and will be open till April 30, 2025.
Registration key: RETREAT25MU.

When: June 2 - 3, 2025 (9:00 - 15:30)
Where: Room 300, Komenského nám. 2, Brno

Josef Vavroušek Award

The Faculty of Social Sciences of Charles University, Prague, is announcing a public competition for student and scientific research works for the Josef Vavroušek Award devoted to various aspects of sustainability-related issues and values represented by the personality of Josef Vavroušek. Participation in the competition requires an already defended doctoral thesis and the applicant's age up to approx. 35 years. The financial reward for awarded works will be CZK 100,000 in total. More info.

Prizes are awarded in the following areas:

• Human ecology;
• Sustainable development;
• Economy of natural resources;
• Social ethics and economic system;
• Ethics and functioning of the political system;
• Social system as a holistic system with target behaviour;
• Social systems and discount of the future;
• International political and economic system, territorial international studies and global governance;
• Media communication and journalism supporting the values of life on Earth;
• Educational systems with these goals.

When assesing the competitive works, the evaluators will especially appreciate:

analysis of the relationships between nature, society and culture;
the interdisciplinary nature of the approach or at least interdisciplinary overlaps;
possible outcome resulting in public and social policy

The deadline for submitting your work: July 26, 2025

MUNI DAY Will Once Again Connect University in Sports and Tours

Text: Lenka Kolegarová

In just 2 weeks the biggest university-wide sports and social gathering of students and employees of Masaryk University – MUNI DAY – will start. The Bohunice University Campus will welcome MU alumni for the first time on Wednesday 14 May.

Start the day with a gentle morning yoga session, then loosen up your body in a Latin American rhythm during a dance lesson, have a baked tortilla for lunch, get your lung capacity measured or test your body's stability on the way, unwind at pétanque in the afternoon and get swept away by DJ sets in the evening. That´s what your programme may look like on Wednesday 14 May when you visit the Bohunice University Campus.

Floorball derby

The culmination of the sports part of the program will be a floorball derby at 2 p.m. in the Ball Sports Hall in Building E34, pitting a team of five faculties from the city centre together with the Rector's Office against a team of five faculties from the campus and immediate surroundings. The prestigious duel, called CAMPUS vs. CITY, will be accompanied by performances by the MU Majorettes, the university´s FUKS club or intermission competitions.

Tours of laboratories

Those who do not like sports and rather enjoy a quieter morning can visit one of the thematic tours in the Anatomical Museum or in the laboratories of the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Sports Studies. The Simulation Centre of the Faculty of Medicine (SIMU), which is the most modern simulation centre in Central Europe and has equipment similar to a real hospital, will also open its doors to those interested. This year's excursions will also be joined by the Faculty of Science RECETOX Centre, CEITEC and the Transfusion and Tissue Department of the Brno University Hospital, where those interested will see the blood donation sections.

A rector´s holiday has been announced for MUNI DAY. Students and academics can use the time off from classes to attend the event. All other staff members are also welcome to attend and can make arrangements with their department heads.