The programme of the evening was based on the basic motto of the celebration: '30 years of inspiration turning into the future'. The past and present were recalled in particular by the book titled 30 Years. Masaryk Institute of Advanced Studies of the Czech Technical University in Prague, written by Vít Klepárník and freely available to all participants of the evening. A reminder of the past was also a thank you to Professor Vladimír Kučera, the winner of the National Government Award Česká hlava, who headed the Institute through years 2007-2015. "The Blue Moon" - such is the name of a gift presented to him by the director of the Institute, Prof. Vladimíra Dvořáková, to commemorate his time at the Institute. Prof. Kučera's affection for writing with a fountain pen is well-known, so hopefully this Japanese pen with a glass nib made him happy and will serve him well.
Doc. Dana Dobrovská received the medal for significant merits for the development of the Czech Technical University in Prague from the hands of the Rector of CTU doc. Vojtěch Petráček. She has made a major contribution to the development of teaching in technical education and is an internationally recognized authority in this field. Laudatio was delivered by her long-time colleague and collaborator, deputy director, doc. David Vaněček.
These awards bridged the past and present, and the Institute sees the future in preparing the younger generation. That is why the evening also included expressing gratitude to the students who were the recipients of important awards - Aneta Požárová (Josef, Maria and Zdeňka Hlávka's Talents Award), Markéta Strečková/Grbavčicová (Stanislav Hanzel Award for 2020) and Hynek Salák (Stanislav Hanzel Award for 2021), Martina Vaněčková (MŠMT Award for saving a child from drowning).
But students don't just study, sport is also an important part of their lives. The evening also featured the floorball team, which boasts many successes in the Czech academic environment. The players wore new jerseys (a gift from the Institute for its 30th anniversary) and invited their supporters to come and support them at the next match on Friday 29 May 2022. The Masaryk Institute of Advanced Studies is also home to athletes who are among the European or world leaders and regularly rank among the best in the CTU Athlete of the Year poll. Interestingly, they all share a love for wild water. Among those awarded are Barbora Betlachová (8th place in the poll in 2020, 10th place in 2021), Martina Satková (2nd place in 2021) and Vít Přindiš (2nd place in 2020, 1st place in 2021).
Repeated European champion Vít Přindiš then invited his long-time friend, with whom he started his sport career, to the stage. This friend was the main guest of the evening, the presenter at Czech Television and an excellent popularizer of science Daniel Stach. His performance, imbued with admiration for science and scientists, emphasis on ethical issues and social responsibility of scientists, was a great climaxof the whole evening.
The festive meeting, moderated by students Kateřina Polanská and Antonín Pleskač, brought a number of other experiences - samples of winning student photographs, pictures from events that have recently taken place at the Institute - whether it was discussions with prominent personalities, the Day with Hyundai, a fair of partner companies and many others. Short videos were shown, which presented life at the Masaryk Institute of Advanced Studies, new developments in study programmes (e.g. internships), the winning campaigns of the floorball team, a robot visiting the institute's bistro. The atmosphere of the celebration was suitably complemented by performances of musicians who have a personal relationship with the Institute. The festive evening was opened by Oldřich Janota and Romana Janotová, during the evening a musical intermezzo dedicated to the award-winning doc. Dobrovská was performed by the rector (personally lending and installing the sound system) doc. Petráček and evening was concluded with music by Ondřej Galuška.
"The Masaryk Institute of Advanced Studies is alive and focused on the future". With these words, Prof. Vladimíra Dvořáková ended the official programme of the evening, thanking all her close colleagues who managed to find solutions to unexpected problems in an unpleasant situation, the staff who showed great dedication and humanity in helping refugees from Ukraine and, last but not least, the university management, deans, directors of institutes and the Academic Senate for their support.
The evening continued with informal entertainment and discussions at the buffet.
Photo courtesy of: Mgr. Art. Radko Palic
