Masaryk University will enter the second week of the spring semester with its traffic-light system set to green. Rector Bareš explained that the university was able to reduce Covid-related restrictions due to everyone’s responsible approach in dealing with the epidemic. “This responsible approach also meant, even though the autumn wave of the pandemic wasn’t easy, that we were able to maintain face-to-face classes throughout the autumn semester.
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He described the work of the Crisis Committee and the Crisis Board and thanked all its members who have carefully analysed the data concerning test positivity and vaccination rates and prepared measures to combat the epidemic at MU in a timely manner.
He also expressed his wish that this video address would be one of the last made in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic. He further recalled the 103rd anniversary of MU, the celebration of which was held online at the end of January, and invited people to visit this year’s Masaryk Days and the follow-up Education for Society conference in early March.
He also mentioned issues not related to Covid-19 at MU: Masaryk University hosted the National Day of Large Research Infrastructures at CEITEC last week, welcomed a delegation from the University of Pécs (Hungary), which is MU’s partner in the EDUC Alliance, and hosted a plenary session of the Czech Rectors Conference in the Simulation Centre of the MU Faculty of Medicine.
“I am very glad that even in the difficult public finances situation, I – in my role as president of the Czech Rectors Conference – managed to negotiate an increase in resources allocated to public universities. This concerns the contribution for educational and creative activities, as well as the contribution to science and research. This, I believe, will again enable us to approve pro-growth budgets across Masaryk University this May and June.”
Rector Bareš also addressed future MU students. He reminded prospective students that the deadline for submitting their applications to programmes taught in Czech is approaching. “If any prospective applicant is watching this video, do not hesitate to choose Masaryk University. The choice of study programmes across the ten MU faculties is quite abundant and it has been demonstrated in practice that education at Masaryk University gives people solid prospects for stability and growth in their future lives and jobs.”
Finally, the Rector also touched on the possible conflict between Russia and Ukraine. “The situation at the border between Russia and Ukraine is uneasy and we should be ready to provide humanitarian aid,” urged Martin Bareš.