A walk with foreign students and scientists from the University of Chemical Technology in Prague to the places where the first battle of the Thirty Years' War in Europe (1618-1648) took place on Bílá Hora in November 1920, in which the army of the Czech Estates was defeated. We took shelter from the rain in the beautiful grounds of the Benedictine Pilgrimage Monastery of Our Lady the Victorious, which was built in the early 18th century by the victorious Catholic side. 

On March 8, 2025, international students and postdoctoral researchers from UCT Prague had the opportunity to participate in a captivating guided tour of Prague Castle. It was a beautiful spring day, coinciding with International Women's Day.

The tour included visits to the magnificent St. Vitus Cathedral and the historic Old Royal Palace, where we explored the impressive Vladislav Hall. From the balcony, we enjoyed breathtaking views of Prague.

Our knowledgeable guide provided an excellent commentary, offering insights into the history of the Czech lands, the ruling dynasties, religious conflicts, and significant historical events. The tour was both educational and enjoyable, leaving participants with a deeper understanding of the rich heritage of the Czech Republic.

We organised a guided tour of the National Technical Library in Prague 6 Dejvice, on the university campus, for our foreign students and staff. The library is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. We are proud to have the largest technical library in the Czech Republic. All technical literature is concentrated here, even writings from the 15th century. The library has a beautiful interior, study rooms, modern technological equipment and facilities for meetings, conferences and exhibitions. Most importantly, there are a lot of young people here.

Download information about the library's services →

Mineralogical collections at the UCT Prague, its Department of Solid State Chemistry belong to the oldest and best organized university collections. They are internationally registered in a list of world-known collections in Europe and they are the well-known treasure of the institute. 

The collection is not freely accessible, those interested in a guided tour must arrange a visit in advance  with the secretary  or with head of department.

Our international students and staff had the opportunity to see the collections on 30 October 2024, in two groups, and talk about its history and interesting features with Assoc prof. Michal Hušák.

On Friday afternoon, 20 September 2024, a group of about thirty international students and researchers from UCT Prague visited Troja Chateau, located on the right bank of the Vltava River, below St. Clare's Vineyard and next to Prague Zoo.

The weather was fine, the sun was shining and it was no longer hot, so in addition to the amazing interiors of the chateau, we also visited the chateau garden. The tour ended with a group photo on the baroque staircase of the chateau.
We were guided through the history  of the chateau by the brilliant guide Martin Bělohradský.
As the floodwaters of the Vltava had receded, we crossed to the other side of the river and walked through the Stromovka Park.   

Our walk began on the hill near our university, at the little church of St Matthias, whose foundations were laid here in the 15th century. At that time, the area was already inhabited by farmsteads and the hillside was planted with vines.

In the inter-war period of the 20th century, a residential area was built here, with villas designed in the new architectural style of Functionalism. Important architects of the time were involved in the designs and the owners of the villas were people from the upper classes of society.

We walked to a beautiful viewpoint at the ruins of Baba, where there used to be a house where the harvested grapes were pressed. From here we enjoyed a beautiful view of the Vltava River and Císařský ostrov, where the new Prague sewage treatment plant is located. On the other bank of the Vltava we observed the animal enclosures of the Prague Zoo. We also had a beautiful view of St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle and the city skyline.

Our guide Mr. Martin Bělohradský told us many interesting facts about this place and its history.

This time we focused our walk on an industrial monument about a quarter of an hour's walk from our university, located in Prague 6 Bubenč. The Old sewage treatment plant was built and commissioned in 1906. The British civil engineer William Heerlein Lindley was responsible for the construction of the sewerage system and the technical parameters of the sewage treatment plant.  Treated wastewater  was discharged  into the nearby river Vltava, therefore it was necessary to monitor the chemical composition of the treated water.  Julie Hamáčková, who was one of the first women to study at the Prague Technical University, became the head of the  operational analytical laboratory. She participated in the development of the methodology for the chemical analysis of utility and waste water.  Later, in the 1950s, she was the first woman to be appointed professor of water chemistry and became dean of the Faculty of Fuels and Water Technology.
 Today, the sewage treatment plant is no longer in operation. In 1967 it was replaced by a newly built treatment plant on nearby Císařský Island. In the old sewage treatment plant, the technical equipment has been preserved, including the steam engine that powered the entire technology equipment through the transmissions. 

After finishing the tour of the sewage treatment plant, our group, led by our guide Martin Bělohradský, walked through the adjacent part of Stromovka Park (Royal Game Reserve) from the Císařský Mill to the Gate leading to the church of St. Gotthard.
We passed by the magnificent villas in the residential district Bubeneč and we managed to get a glimpse of the beautiful interiors of Villa Lanna, which is the property of the Czech Academy of Sciences.

On a beautiful sunny spring day, we started our walk on the western bastions of Prague Castle, walked along the picturesque New World Street, stopped at the house with a memorial plaque to the famous Danish mathematician and astronomer Tycho de Brahe, who lived here around 1600.
We descended into the Jelení příkop/Deer Moat and climbed up to Masaryk's Lookout, from where we could see the panorama of palaces around Prague Castle. 
We walked along the Brusnice Creek, through the tunnel under the Powder Bridge to the lower part of the Jelení příkop, from where we could see the high walls and towers protecting Prague Castle from the North. 
We climbed up the steep path and steps to Queen Anne's Summer Palace and  walk through the Royal Garden to the entrance to the Second Courtyard of Prague Castle. We were weaving our way  through the crowds  of tourists to St Vitus' Cathedral to the Third Courtyard and from there down the Býčí schodiště/Bull's Steps to the South Gardens. There we were rewarded with a beautiful view over the rooftops of the Lesser Town houses and palaces, the Vltava River and the inner city of Prague. 

We were taken through the history of Prague Castle and the surrounding palaces by our excellent guide Martin Bělohradský. 

The visit to the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic with a group of foreign students and researchers from the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague was really successful. They met with the 1st Vice-Chairman of the Senate, Prof. Jiří Drahoš, a graduate of UCT Prague and discussed his scientific career and his path to high politics. Many thanks also to the guide who took us through the beautiful premises and gave us a great lecture in English, not only about the history of Wallenstein Palace, but also about the functioning of the current democratic system.

University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague (UCT Prague) is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of an intensive educational program for a group of 10 university students from NIMS University Jaipur. This unique program, which lasted from September 25 to November 18, combined theoretical instruction in chemistry with practical experience acquired during a two-week period.

Advanced Educational Program for Students from NIMS University Jaipur

The program offered by UCT Prague was carefully designed to provide students with a comprehensive overview of various aspects of chemistry, from theory to practical application. The course was divided into several segments, ensuring that students gained a deep understanding of the subject and practical skills.

Block Teaching: The program began with two weeks of block teaching, covering approximately 10 courses in half-day sessions. Topics included raw material sources for the chemical industry, chemical technologies, process design, technical catalysis, and chemical product safety. Typical Laboratory Tasks: Students participated in laboratory tasks, divided into five groups and rotating through 1-2 day tasks. Safety training was provided collectively and then specifically for individual tasks. Project: Students worked on projects in groups of three, involving laboratory measurements, evaluation, protocol, and a joint presentation.

Practical Training at ORLEN Unipetrol: Intensive Experience in the Petrochemical Industry

The final part of the program was conducted in collaboration with ORLEN Unipetrol in Litvínov, where students completed a two-week internship in a petrochemical operation. This practical module gave students the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge gained at UCT Prague in a real industrial environment.

The ORLEN Unipetrol internship program included:

Initial training, first aid, fire safety training Familiarization with multiskilling and a training unit Operator training simulator for DCPD Work with distillation columns and a training laboratory Tours of the operation

This diverse and intensive program allowed students from NIMS University Jaipur to not only expand their academic horizons but also gain valuable practical experience, which will be key to their future careers in the field of chemistry.

This educational project is an example of successful international cooperation in education, strengthening the relationship between UCT Prague and NIMS University Jaipur. We expect similar initiatives to continue developing and strengthening scientific and academic cooperation between the Czech Republic and India."

On Saturday, 18th November, the Welcome Office organised an autumn walk to the Monastery of St. Adalbert and St. Margaret in Prague's Břevnov. The historical interpretation was once again provided by our excellent guide Ing. Martin Bělohradský.  Our group visited the interior of St Margaret's Basilica, from where the participants descended to the Romanesque crypt with foundations dating back to the 11th century. 
In the upper part of the monastery they admired the beautiful Theresian´s Hall and the interior of the Prelature. 
We did not miss the Vojtěška spring, which refers to the legend of the foundation of the monastery by Prince Boleslav II and Bishop Vojtěch in 993 AD. 
The walk ended in the garden of the monastery, from where there is a beautiful view of the surrounding part of Prague 6.

Prague, Czech Republic, [6.11.2023] – The University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague (UCT Prague), in a resplendent display of international collaboration and educational excellence, hosted the esteemed Kyutech Autumn School from October 21 to 27, 2023. This event marked a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between VŠCHT and the Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech), Japan.

Under the expert guidance of Professor Josef Krýsa from the Institute of Inorganic Technology and in coordination with UCT Prague's Department of International Relations, the autumn school provided an immersive learning experience for Japanese students. This year's event symbolized a triumphant return following a four-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic, reflecting a renewed commitment to global educational exchange.

The autumn school, a continuation of the successful sessions held in 2018 and 2019, witnessed participation from 14 esteemed students from Kyutech. They were accompanied by distinguished Professors Teruhisa Ohno and Mitsuru Kitamura. The curriculum was meticulously designed to encompass Theoretical and Environmental Aspects of Chemical Technologies. UCT Prague's faculty, including Professor Josef Krýsa, Associate Professor Martin Paidar, Ing. Michal Baudys, and Ing. Šárka Paušová, played a pivotal role in delivering this comprehensive educational experience.

A highlight of the program was an innovative Workshop where both Czech and Japanese educators and students had the opportunity to present and discuss their cutting-edge research topics. This academic exchange culminated in an informal gathering at the café Carbon, fostering a sense of community and shared learning.

Complementing the academic pursuits were a series of cultural and exploratory activities, offering the students a rich taste of Czech culture and history. Visits to the iconic Estates Theatre, exploratory tours of Prague, an excursion to the Bernard brewery, and a trip to the silver museum and cathedral in Kutná Hora enriched the students' experience, blending education with cultural appreciation.

Looking ahead, UCT Prague eagerly anticipates the continuation of this fruitful collaboration, with plans already underway for the fourth iteration of the autumn school in the 2024/2025 academic year, to be hosted by Kyutech in Japan.

About University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague (UCT Prague): The University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, is a leading institution in the field of chemistry, chemical technology and related disciplines. Renowned for its innovative research and high-quality education, UCT Prague is a beacon of academic excellence, shaping the future of science and technology both nationally and internationally.

Contact:

Department of International Relations of UCT Prague (international [at] vscht.cz)

The Welcome Office organised the third guided walk for UCT Prague foreign students, researchers and their family memebers on Sunday, October 15 this year. This time we went to Vyšehrad, an important place for a Czech nation with a rich history. In the fortifications we visited the Casemates and the Gorlice Hall with the original statues from the Charles Bridge. We toured the beautiful interior of the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul and went to see the cemetory with the graves of famous poeple. Former UCT graduate Ing. Martin Belohradsky guided the group and told a lot about the history of this significant place and legends associated with it.

The conference serves as a hub for meeting representatives of universities from all over the world, to discuss possible inter-university collaborations, and also as a place for education and sharing experiences in the field of internationalization.

The conference was attended by more than 6900 participants - representatives of universities, national agencies, and companies offering support and services in the field of international education. We believe that our participation will have a positive impact on the development of new strategic partnerships."

The Welcome Office organised the second guided tour of the sights of Prague for our foreign students and researchers, which took place on Saturday 20/05/2023.  This time we visited the wonderful premises of the Strahov Monastery in Prague, its gallery, we looked into the ancient libraries and the halls with the exhibition of old collections of curiosities. 

A detailed explanation of the history of the monastery and interesting exhibits was again given by our former UCT graduate Ing. Martin Belohradsky.

The tour of the monastery was attended by 27 of our foreign students and scientists, including the six-year-old daughter of our Indian scientist Dr. Amutha Subramani. Everyone really liked it, as can be seen from the attached photos, and our foreigners expressed their interest in continuing these guided tours of Prague.

Are you interested in more information or do you have any ideas for planning other cultural events? Feel free to write us to welcome@vscht.cz

UCT Prague was visited by prof. HUI-MIN DAVID WANG from the partner National Chung Hsing University [NCHU] (Taiwan). UCT has been cooperating with NCHU since 2011, when the memorandum of cooperation for student exchange was signed. At the meeting with prof. Wang current information about the possibilities of student mobility and areas of scientific cooperation between UCT Prague and NCHU were outlined and discussed.

We would like to draw your attention to the approaching deadline for submitting scholarships for a one-year study stay in Bavaria. The deadline for submitting scholarship applications for the academic year 2022/23 is December 1, 2021.

The scholarship is intended to finance a follow-up master's or doctoral degree at a Bavarian public university and can be extended for a maximum of 3 years. The scholarship can also be awarded for a one-year study stay in Bavaria as part of a doctoral study at a Czech public university.

More information is available on the website https://www.btha.cz/en/stipendia/studium-v-bavorsku and if you have any questions (in Czech, German or English), you can contact Martin Guttenberger, Scholarship Program Officer (guttenberger@btha.de).