PALACKÝ UNIVERSITY IN OLOMOUC

THE PROGRAM

PHILIPPINE STUDIES PROGRAM 

AT PALACKÝ UNIVERSITY IN OLOMOUC

Palacký University Olomouc (UPOL) launched the first Philippine Studies courses in the Czech Republic during the winter term of the 2025-2026 academic year, under the Global Philippine Studies Program. Housed within the Asian Studies Department, the curriculum covers Philippine history, culture, politics, and an introduction to Filipino language, aimed at fostering sustained academic interest among UPOL students.

LATEST NEWS AND ACTIVITIES

PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR DELIVERS LECTURE ON PH-CZECH BILATERAL 

AND CULTURAL RELATIONS

On 25 November 2025, Philippine Ambassador Eduardo Martin R. Meñez delivered a lecture on Philippine–Czech Republic bilateral and cultural relations to students and faculty of the Department of Asian Studies at Palacký University in Olomouc. The program opened with the welcome remarks by the UPOL Head of the Department Dr. František Krachtovil, followed by an introduction to the Philippine Studies Program by Associate Professor Mag. Dr. Alfred Gerstl, Mgr. Renata Westlake, and Ms. Federica Cidale. Ambassador Meñez discussed demographic comparisons, contemporary international and cultural relations, and the growing Filipino community in the Czech Republic.

During the visit, the Ambassador also presented the University with copies of “Kurata v hadi kleci,” a collection of Filipino short stories translated into Czech and compiled by former Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Jaroslav Olsa Jr. and Ms. Silvie Mitlenerova. The lecture was followed by an engaging discussion with the audience and concluded with an informal reception hosted by UPOL.