Charles University, Professor Milena Králíčková, met for the first time in the historic Carolinum’. Králíčková was elected to head Charles University by the Academic Senate in October 2021 and then appointed by the Czech head of state at the end of January. The very first meeting addressed a number of specific points and challenges.

She has been called a dragon slayer and the world’s most famous regulator, but also a democrat dedicated to fairness in markets paving the way for innovation: Danish politician Margrethe Vestager, the EC's executive vice-president for digital transformation. Vestager was a keynote speaker on Monday at the Faculty of Law.

Experts vs. “experts” - Scientists in the Media was the title of an online panel discussion on Thursday hosted by Kampus Hybernská. Four invited speakers – two well-known science journalists and two scientists, discussed the difficulties of their fields and where they overlapped, as well as the damage caused by some experts spreading denial.

Czechs have been marking 17 November, commemorating the courage of students and citizens who stood up to two different totalitarian regimes: against the Nazi oppressors in 1939 and the Communists 50 years later. Students, teachers and representatives of Charles University all took part.

Ten Czech scientists, in two main categories, received Neuron Awards on Tuesday at a gala ceremony at Prague’s National Museum. Three received the award for their lifelong contribution to science, while seven awards went to young researchers. Eight recipients have ties with, or work at, Charles University.

Charles University hosted the representatives of key European university networks on Friday, at a special meeting aimed at tackling challenges faced by institutions of higher learning. The meeting took place the Patriotic Hall in the Carolinum, and was opened by Rector Tomáš Zima.

“Riding an electric bike is a euphoric experience. You no longer feel the bump of cobblestones or curbs. You can just pedal and revel in the speed,” says Forum’s Jitka Jiřičková. The new bikes should be available to staff at CU in September. Two of our vice-rectors, Radka Wildová and Jan Royt, tried the bikes ahead of time… as did our reporter.

Charles University’s Centre for Knowledge and Technology Transfer is partnering with WIPO to hold an online Summer School this September. The school is an opportunity for participants to earn a prestigious credential from WIPO - a specialized agency of the United Nations.

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is on a four-day visit to the Czech Republic. The leader was invited to Prague by the speaker of the Senate, Miloš Vystrčil. On Monday afternoon, she and her team met for talks at Charles University. On the agenda: ways to help students and to support democracy in Belarus.

Charles University saw important changes over the last year-and-a-half, among them the relocation of student/employee services, CU Point, to Celetná 13. It is a central hub including the CU Staff Welcome Centre, helping foreign researchers with work stays.