Palacký University in Olomouc
Palacký University in Olomouc was founded in 1573 and is therefore the second oldest university in the Czech Republic. Eight faculties of Palacký University have almost 23 thousand students studying in 1046 accredited study programmes; namely in bachelor, master, follow-up master and doctoral study programmes. Practically everything is on offer, from teaching, law, theology, physical education and sport to the humanities, social sciences and arts to natural and medical and health sciences. The study credit system is fully compatible with ECTS.
The university also has scientific research centres that are listed at the following web page: https://veda.upol.cz/en/workplaces/. Palacký University in Olomouc also plays a third role in society and educates the public through educational and socio-cultural events. It is the operator of the Science Centre called the Fortress of Knowledge (https://www.pevnostpoznani.cz/english/). Since 2021, Palacký University has had a sustainability department, the so-called Sustainable University (https://udrzitelna.upol.cz/en/), and has created the UP Sustainable Development Strategy that takes care of its implementation. It also emphasizes international relations and internationalization. Palacký University has received the European Award for Internationalisation (2019, EIAE) and the HR Award in the field of quality care of human resources in science and research (2021, European Commission). You can find more information about the university here: https://www.upol.cz/en/.
About the Faculty of Education
The establishment and development of the Faculty of Education at Palacký University in Olomouc is closely related to the implementation of higher education (professional preparation) for teachers in the Czech Republic. The Decree of the President of the Czech Republic from 27 October 1945 introduced higher education for teachers of all levels and types of schools in the former Czechoslovakia. Following this decree, faculties of education across all universities in the Czech Republic were established by law and became part of universities. The Faculty of Education of Palacký University trains teachers of all levels of schools; kindergarten, primary and secondary, educators, social and special educators. The faculty implements doctoral studies in the fields of Pedagogy, Special Education, Anthropology, Music Theory and Pedagogy. The faculty has introduced the ECTS credit system, which guarantees the compatibility of studies not only in the Czech Republic but also within the EU.
You can find more information about the faculty of education here: https://www.pdf.upol.cz/en/.
The PAX Team from Palacký University in Olomouc
Alena Jůvová, Ph.D.
Alena’s research expertise lies in enhancing the soft skills of educators and advancing teacher training methodologies. Her scholarly pursuits encompass vital competencies for teachers and educators, 21st-century skills, social pedagogy, and environmental education. At the Institute of Education and Social Studies within the Faculty of Education at Palacký University, Alena is a guarantor and a teacher of courses covering communication science, educational theory, social education, environmental education, 21st-century skills in education, interdisciplinary educational theory, and leisure education. She actively engages in various related international projects. Additionally, she serves as an executive editor and article reviewer for the interdisciplinary research journal, E-Pedagogium. Alena is a member of the Czech Pedagogical Society and the Czech Association of Research. She has authored textbooks and co-authored monographs, alongside publishing numerous articles and essays focusing on social education, environmental education theory, and related topics.
Ondřej Duda. Ph.D.
Ondřej Duda holds the position of Assistant Professor in English Language Studies at the Institute of Foreign Languages within the Faculty of Education at Palacký University in Olomouc, the Czech Republic. His teaching portfolio includes courses on sociolinguistics, teaching methodology, and integrating ICT into education. His scholarly pursuits focus on enhancing the competencies of future English educators, leveraging ICT tools in pedagogy, and exploring language learning beyond traditional classroom settings. He has actively contributed to several ERASMUS+ projects, namely GuLL, LEEN, VOICES, IINTOS, WAVE-IT, ACC and PAX. Ondřej also serves as a member of the editorial board and article reviewer for the interdisciplinary research journal, E-Pedagogium. Additionally, he holds membership in the Czech Pedagogical Society.