Masaryk University has five new emeritus professors

The appointment decrees were presented to them by the Rector of MU. A joint meeting of personalities who have contributed to the development of their faculties and fields is thus becoming a new tradition. We extend our congratulations to the new emeritus professors from the Faculty of Science, Josef Havel and Milan Potáček, on this significant recognition of their long-standing scientific and educational work.

20 May 2025 Simona Polcarová

The five emeritus professors were introduced by the Dean of the Faculty of Education and the Deans of the Faculties of Science, Medicine, and Pharmacy.

Professors Jiří Vaněk, Vlastimil Švec, Milan Potáček, Josef Havel, and Václav Suchý were honored in a ceremony at the Rector’s Office on Monday, May 19. They were joined by the deans of their respective faculties, who briefly presented each professor and their impact on Masaryk University.

Two new professors emeritus come from the Faculty of Science. Dean Tomáš Kašparovský described both as true legends of chemistry. ”Professor Milan Potáček was a brilliant teacher who brought scientific work into the classroom and made organic chemistry come alive.Professor Josef Havel is a giant in analytical chemistry—his international reach is remarkable,” he added. Both professors go beyond chemistry. Potáček works on synthesizing medicinal compounds.Havel uses data analysis and AI to identify them.

Professor Potáček recalled returning to the faculty after military service. “I was helping build a new tech faculty in Zlín. Then I got the chance to return to Brno and meet the pioneers who rebuilt the Faculty of Science from the ruins after the war,” he said. He praised the university campus as well. “The campus has top gear. It cares for students’ health and sparks their interest in research,” he added. Havel shared his work with neural networks and medical data. “We chemists are now stepping into the doctors’ domain,” he said with a smile. His AI work spans dozens of studies—from new compound synthesis to fly brain networks.

At Masaryk University, the title of Professor Emeritus is reserved for former professors who made exceptional lifelong contributions to teaching and research. Anyone can nominate a candidate.The final decision lies with the Rector.

The title of Emeritus Professor at Masaryk University
can be awarded to a former employee
who holds the academic rank of professor
and who has made an exceptional lifelong contribution
to the development of the university or one of its parts
through teaching and research.