What is the role of universities in a rapidly changing world, what lies ahead for Masaryk University in the new academic year, and how important are the people who make up the university to its success? These were among the topics discussed at the Opening Ceremony for the 2026/2027 academic year, which took place in the hall of the Besední dům. Our colleagues Lukáš Faltinek, Jana Musilová, Mojmír Šob and Renata Veselská were also honored at the ceremonial event – heartfelt congratulations!
The ceremonial opening of the academic year at Masaryk University traditionally includes the presentation of awards to outstanding academics and individuals who contribute to the university’s development and reputation. The programme, hosted by Vice-Rector Jiří Hanuš, was complemented by the announcement of the University and Student Wines.
As is customary, the opening address was delivered by Rector Martin Bareš, who outlined the issues that will be important in the coming period. He had already addressed the state of Czech higher education and the internal condition of Masaryk University at last year’s opening of the academic year and this year’s Dies Academicus celebrations. On this occasion, he linked both areas to the broader question of the role of educational institutions in a rapidly changing world.
The Future of Higher Education and Education
Bareš devoted a significant part of his speech to the current debate on the future shape of Czech higher education. He referred to the discussion on the new Higher Education Act, the need to define more clearly the roles of the various stakeholders in the education and science system, and the issue of the long-standing underfunding of universities. In doing so, he emphasised the irreplaceable role of universities and expressed the hope that the debate on their future direction would be conducted without prejudice, using fair and consistent arguments.
“I would like to point out that there is no such thing as a scientist without prior education, and that the role of higher education institutions and universities in the quality of education and science is absolutely irreplaceable; it cannot be overlooked or circumvented. I would like all discussions on the final form of the Higher Education Act and the future direction of higher education institutions to be, ideally, free from prejudice, based on fair and consistent arguments, and ideally free from emotion, although I do understand where such emotions come from,” said Rector Martin Bareš.
According to him, the future of higher education institutions is also closely linked to their funding. Bareš believes that simply increasing funding will not solve all the problems facing Czech higher education; however, more adequate funding is an essential prerequisite for its further development and for Czech universities’ ability to hold their own in international competition.
The rector also addressed the question of which professions, degree programmes or graduate profiles are – or, conversely, are not – socially necessary. He pointed out that it is impossible today to reliably predict what the labour market will look like in five or ten years’ time, how further developments in artificial intelligence will transform it, or what skills will be required in the future. He therefore identified “general education, knowledge of foreign languages and an understanding of the international environment” as the fundamental pillars on which we must continue to build.
He also drew on his personal experience as a doctor and neurologist, whose role in the university’s leadership had enabled him to gain a deeper insight into the world of the humanities and social sciences.
“The role of rector and my service to Masaryk University in previous positions have given me the opportunity to gain an insight into the world of the humanities and social sciences. I recognise their irreplaceable importance for understanding the world around us, for the overall development of Masaryk University, and for ‘humanising’ our behaviour, conduct and actions. Let us, please, look after our university as a whole,” he emphasised.
What lies ahead for Masaryk University
In the next part of his speech, the Rector also outlined the main tasks and projects for the new academic year. Strategic investments will be among the most significant. On 30 November, the MUNI BioPharma Hub – one of the most significant projects in the university’s history – will be officially opened; construction of the MUNI SPORT PARK will continue; and the major refurbishment of the Faculty of Informatics is due to be completed.
Student and staff accommodation will remain a key priority. MU intends to continue building new halls of residence on the Bohunice campus and at the Vinařská site, as well as renovating other halls of residence. It will also strive for further success in European grant programmes and in attracting outstanding academic talent. It also aims to advance the system of lifelong learning, which, according to the rector, should become a cornerstone of education for people of all ages in an era of a rapidly changing labour market.
Cooperation with Ukrainian universities will also continue. In this context, Bareš recalled his working visit to Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk in September, during which the MU delegation experienced two air raid alerts. He linked his experience in Ukraine to a reflection on the fragility of life, democracy, statehood and sovereignty, and on the social role of the university, which, in his view, should share its experiences and stories more actively with the public.
Awards for teaching staff
The ceremony also honoured teaching staff whose work is recognised not only by the University of Masaryk’s management but also by the students themselves. Together with the deans of the faculties, the students are involved in nominating candidates for the University of Masaryk Rector’s Awards for Outstanding Teaching Staff.
The nominations themselves also reflect how students perceive their teaching. Vice-Rector Jiří Hanuš quoted some of the students’ reviews during the ceremony. “Please give Dr Faltinek a pay rise and let him teach all of biochemistry; he’ll solve all the world’s problems and smooth out the wrinkles on his forehead,” read one review of Lukáš Faltinek, for example.
The Rector’s Award for long-term outstanding teaching was also presented to mathematician and physicist Jana Musilová, who had previously received a MU medal and, at this year’s ceremony, accepted a print and a diploma.
The ceremony also included the presentation of one bronze and eight silver Masaryk University medals to individuals recognised for their contribution to the university and for strengthening cooperation with foreign institutions.
MU Rector’s Award for Outstanding Teachers
Lukáš Faltinek – Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, MU
His teaching in the natural sciences, with a focus on biochemistry, is characterised by exceptionally high-quality academic supervision, systematic lesson preparation and, above all, an outstanding approach to students.
Masaryk University Rector’s Award for Long-Term Excellence in Teaching
Jana Musilová – Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University
She has been teaching physics and mathematics for decades; during her long career (55 years), she has had a profound influence on the education, academic careers and life values of thousands of students. She is exceptionally popular for her unwavering enthusiasm and passion for physics.
Masaryk University Silver Medal
Mojmír Šob – chemist, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University
He is a long-standing member of staff at the Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, and the author or co-author of more than 225 impact-indexed articles, which have been cited over 4,300 times (excluding self-citations). Between 2020 and 2025, he was ranked amongst the top 2 per cent of the world’s most cited scientists in the Stanford University database. He has been awarded the MU Silver Medal in recognition of his long-standing outstanding publishing and promotional work on behalf of MU.
Renata Veselská – biologist and bioethicist, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, MU
Her research focuses on cell and tumour biology, and in the field of bioethics, on research ethics and scientific integrity. From 2022 to 2024, she was the Czech Republic’s first representative on the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE), one of the European Commission’s advisory bodies. Since 2021, she has been a member of the Ethics Committee of the Czech Ministry of Health, and since 2025, she has been the Czech Republic’s representative on the European Network of Research Ethics Committees (EUREC). The Masaryk University Silver Medal is awarded for strengthening the university’s standing at national and global level.
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