CZECH REPUBLIC
CZECH REPUBLIC
Deed of Donation Signing
20 June 2025 | Deed of Donation signed between the Philippine Embassy in Prague and the Palacký University Olomouc
Program Coordinators | Philippine Ambassador H.E. Eduardo R. Meñez and Palacký University Olomouc Vice Dean for International Affairs Dr. Martin Ebel, Head of the Asian Studies Department Dr. František Kratochvil, and Head of the Indo-Pacific Hub of the Asian Studies Department and President of the Central European Institute of Asian Studies Associate Professor Alfred Gerstl
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.
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.
Photo Credits: The Philippine Embassy in Prague
Established in 1573, Palacký University Olomouc is the second-oldest higher education institution in the Czech Republic and a center for European research and pedagogy. The university is the centerpiece of Olomouc—a historic "university town" where students constitute approximately twenty percent of the population. The university comprises eight specialized faculties, including Medicine, Science, and Law, offering a comprehensive curriculum of over 1,000 programs. Characterized by its integration of Baroque architectural heritage with modern facilities like the Arts Centre and Fort Science, the institution maintains a strong international profile, hosting a diverse global community and consistently ranking among the top three universities nationally for academic excellence, including the 2019 EAIE Institutional Award for Excellence.