Information for Employees

Mass contact teaching at Masaryk University was cancelled until the end of the teaching period of the spring semester on 15 May.

However, the restrictions set by the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic, i.e. presence of a maximum of 15 students at the same time, still apply to participation in classes and examinations. Clinical and practical teaching does not limit the number of students. To access MU buildings, students must confirm the Electronic declaration of the absence of symptoms of viral infectious diseases in the MU Information System.

The deadlines for submitting the final theses are set at the individual faculties so that students have the opportunity to complete their studies in the spring semester 2020. Additionally, the faculties are recommended to announce additional dates in September for the final state examinations and students can choose which date fits them better. Exceptions for certain faculties may apply, and students should look for information directly from their faculty. 

Decision of the rector of Masaryk University no. 4/2020 sets special rules for studies for the spring semester 2020. For the purposes of study it is possible to use tools for distance learning, teaching and examination. If the characteristics of the course does not allow teaching in distance mode, the programme guarantor, in agreement with the teacher, will decide on the compensation in the form of block classes announced for the period from 16 May. For courses that can no longer be taught at all, students will be given an exceptional “S” evaluation. This means that this course is considered to be successfully completed (including the appropriate number of credits). The evaluation does not count towards the grade average and will be specifically described in the Diploma Supplement. 

The exam period will be held from May 18 to September 30, 2020, and the dates will be offered throughout the period, including during the summer months, so that students have enough opportunities to take the exams. 

All forms of course completion are possible and MU Crisis Board recommends to complete courses in distance mode. Deans may further decide that the state examination (bachelor, master, or doctoral) or the defence of the dissertation can be carried out in distance mode.

The issue of distance examination is regulated by the Methodological Guideline for Distance Examination and Course Completion, accompanied by technical recommendations for conducting online exams and state exams.

The autumn semester will start on 5 October 2020 and will last until 17 January 2021 (see the approved Academic Year Schedule 2020/21). 

Consultations and other communication with colleagues and students will be carried out at the maximum use by remote communication tools (telephone, e-mail, teleconferencing through MS Teams, etc.). 

It is recommended to make maximum use of electronic tools available at it.muni.cz. Further recommendations and instructions for teachers can be found at is.muni.cz/do/mu/samostudium. Various electronic databases are accessible from it.muni.cz/en/closed-libraries-wont-stop-you. 

The measure does not apply to research, development, grant grants, etc. Doctoral students and other students can participate in these activities if the conditions of the Rector's emergency measure are met.

It is not yet possible to estimate the impact of measures on project implementation – the situation is continuously evolving. Please do not contact the provider individually – contact the Research and Development Office of MU to find out more information.

Academic ceremonies are attended by a maximum of 500 people at the same time, including organizers, services, etc.

In an adequate space (auditorium, etc.), the participants keep a minimum distance of two meters from each other.

Participants in the ceremonies must disinfect their hands before entering a particular area; participants also wear respiratory protective equipment (nose, mouth), which prevents the spread of droplets.

As part of the ceremonies, the greeting of hands (for congratulations) is left out.

Matriculation and graduation

Matriculations of newly-admitted students will not take place in autumn 2020.

The MU Crisis Board recommends:

• Not holding graduation ceremonies until 31 August. Exceptions will be resolved by the Vice-Rector for Studies and Quality, on the basis of the Dean's request.
• Holding Associate and Doctoral graduation ceremonies from September.
• Planning Bachelors and Masters graduations in agreement with the Faculties for the period October-December in suitable Faculty premises and in the Scala University Cinema.

Masters graduation ceremonies will take place at all Faculties. Possible cancellation of Bachelors graduation is left to the decision of the Deans.

From Monday 25 May, MU canteen will fully reopen its services again. See more info here: https://www.skm.muni.cz/menza?en.

Restrictions on the presence of employees at the workplace depend now on the head of the relevant MU economic unit.

Visa information

All foreign nationals can legally stay in the Czech Republic for an additional 60 days after the end of the State of Emergency – that is until 17 July 2020. See the details here.

For details on issuing visas and residence permits, please see the information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.

If you have any questions, please contact International Staff Office (ISO) of Masaryk University, they will answer all your questions.

The entry of foreigners from EU

The entry of international employees from EU:

• From 15 June, there are updated rules of entering the Czech Republic. The Czech government has divided European countries into three categories based on the risk of infection. Foreigners from countries shown in green on the map may enter Czech Republic without a COVID-19 negative test or compulsory quarantine, foreigners from countries shown orange or red must provide evidence of a negative test for coronavirus or enter quarantine for 14 days (currently Sweden, Portugal, UK and Silesian Voivodeship in Poland). The Ministry of Health evaluates the data once a week and updates the classification of countries, based on the development of the local epidemiological situation. See the current map from the Ministry of Health. Please check the information regularly.

The entry of international students:

• Regarding the newest government resolution, it is possible for non-EU students to enter the Czech Republic if the specific conditions are met. Please see also the website of Ministry of Interior for the conditions for entry to the territory of the Czech Republic.

If you have any questions, please contact International Staff Office (ISO) of Masaryk University, they will answer all your questions.

Travelling outside the Czech Republic (business trips from MU)

From now on, it is possible to go for domestic and foreign business trips. It is the responsibility of the superior employee to decide on the necessity of the trip, the technical possibilities of its implementation and possible risks regarding the possibility of a rapid change of measures in the destination country or in the Czech Republic and the subsequent need for repatriation.

The MU Crisis Board recommends not sending employees on domestic business trips, with the exception in necessary cases. MU Crisis Board recommends sending employees on business trips abroad only if it is necessary and if an unfulfilled trip would endanger an important interest of Masaryk University or MU Economic Unit.

MU Crisis Board recommends students to complete their studies at universities abroad primarily in distance mode and to travel abroad only in absolutely necessary cases, f. e. if travelling back to the universities is a fundamental condition for the successful completion of the study placement.

The declaration of State of Emergency does not apply to meetings of the Academic Senates, Scientific Councils and other bodies of MU or its parts. Cancellation of free movement restrictions from 24 April allows convening personal meetings of academic senates.

However, the law allows all MU collective bodies to act remotely. If a personal meeting is not necessary, the MU Crisis Board recommends using electronic tools for distance meetings in proceedings.

Emergency measures do not apply to administrative and other proceedings (including disciplinary proceedings). Cancellation of movement restrictions from 24 April allows you to act without restriction. If personal meetings are not necessary, it is recommended to using electronic tools for distance meetings in proceedings.

The coronavirus epidemic affects not only the physical but also the mental health of humans. If you need the help of a psychologist in the current crisis, you can use the online consultation offer.

Employees of Masaryk University can also make use of psychological counselling. At this moment, you can contact the psychologists Lubomir Smekal and Ludmila Piňosová (via e-mails lsmekal@gmail.com and lidpinos@gmail.com) or you can contact anyone from the team of the Department of Psychology and Psychosomatics of the Faculty of Medicine of MU. They are ready to consult via email or Skype.

You can also read this recommendation for the public written by Miroslav Světlák, Head of the Department of Psychology and Psychosomatics (Masaryk University) and or special website of the Department of Psychology of FSS MU. 

Further detailed information and measures are also issued by individual faculties of Masaryk University, the Centre for International Cooperation and the Teiresias Centre:

If you experience symptoms of emerging respiratory disease (fever above 38°C, cough, breathing problems), stay at home, limit contact with others, contact a doctor via phone or email or other established helplines and follow their instructions. If you do not have a doctor in the Czech Republic, do see the list of English-speaking doctors in Brno here. 

Helplines: 

• +420 724 810 106, +420 725 191 367 or +420 725 191 370: nonstop helpline of the National Institute of Public Health 
• 112: medical and rescue service (as well as fire and police service) 
• +420 777 46 56 56: Centre for International Cooperation, Masaryk University 

If you have trouble that operators of Czech helplines do not speak English, please contact the helpline of Centre of International Cooperation at Masaryk University.