Regional Partnerships
Masaryk University, as the largest University in Moravia and the second largest University in the Czech Republic, benefits from its crucial position in the region and seeks to use the potential to spread awareness of sustainability.
The University has confirmed the merits of a social role with overlap at the national level by involving its scientific and research capacities, cooperating with public institutions, and activating a massive volunteer base during the ongoing global pandemic during 2020.
The establishment of new partnerships, cooperation on responsible projects, and mutual sharing of good practices are perceived by Masaryk University as beneficial not only for the very entities directly involved in collaboration but also for the whole society's sustainable future.
Overview of Masaryk University's regional sustainability partners
South Moravian Region
In cooperation with the South Moravian Region (JMK), Masaryk University develops mainly activities in social responsibility. The collaboration was in 2018 declared in a memorandum.
The subject of the current cooperation with the South Moravian Region is implementing the project “Analysis of the South Moravian Region's potential concerning the circular economy“. The project is provided by the department of the Faculty of Economics and Administration of Masaryk University. The expected output is a draft circular economy plan for the South Moravian Region and four selected municipalities to create a template for other cities in the region.
“Our joint projects include the South Moravian Innovation Centre or the South Moravian Centre for International Mobility. The new Memorandum responds to current needs in education, health, and innovation in our region. Among other things, common topics of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral thesis with practical use for the development of South Moravia, such as the fight against the consequences of drought or professional specializations in the field of health care.”
JUDr. Bohumil Šimek
Governor of JMK in 2016–2020
South Moravian Innovation Centre
Masaryk University, together with the South Moravian Region and other universities, is the founder of the South Moravian Innovation Centre (JIC), whose motto is "to contribute to positive change in society and to solving global challenges through the support of entrepreneurs."
South Moravian Centre for International Mobility
The JCMM interest group supports gifted students and scientists in the region. On the part of Masaryk University, it is mainly a background for education and research at CEITEC and RECETOX.
Statutory City of Brno
Together with other entities from the region, Masaryk University committed itself in February 2020 by signing a Memorandum of Long-Term Cooperation on the Commitment of the Statutory City of Brno to adapt to climate change to reduce CO2 production in the city of Brno by at least 40% by 2030. This act promised to include the obligations arising from the Memorandum in its regular operation and operation.
In 2023 Masaryk University became a silver partner of the #PripravBrno project
MEMORANDUM ON LONG-TERM COOPERATION ON THE COMMITMENT OF THE STATUTORY CITY OF BRNO TO ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE
The Statutory City of Brno and the partners listed below in the field of an environmentally friendly approach to the environment and the relationship to the maintenance of sustainable climatic conditions jointly agreed on the signing of this Memorandum on long-term cooperation to fulfill the commitment of the Statutory City of Brno in the area of reducing CO2 emissions as the most significant factor in climate change and the application of adaptation measures to reduce already ongoing climate change.
The Statutory City of Brno, as a signatory to the Pact of Mayors, has voluntarily committed to reducing CO2 emissions on its territory by at least 40% by 2030 while increasing its resilience to the effects of already ongoing climate change. The City of Brno is aware that it has to set an example itself and therefore takes measures mainly on its own buildings, facilities, fleet, etc. However, the city's commitment cannot be achieved without the involvement of the tertiary sector in particular - innovation industry, research & development, as well as related services, which accounts for 46% of emissions.
FIRST OF ALL, WE WANT:
- build and reconstruct with modern technologies with regard to the lowest possible energy nationality of buildings
- expand the use of energy from renewable sources
- reduce the energy performance of our buildings
- use and promote environmentally friendly modes of transport
- support and ensure rainwater retention on our land
- use the water as efficiently as possible and save its consumption
- plant and protect greenery
- educate and support employees in the field of resource and energy management
- pay attention to the principles of circular economy
- further promote the Memorandum and proudly state that we are actively helping to improve the environment in Brno
Partner companies undertake to incorporate these commitments into their regular operation and operation, thereby contributing to reducing the CO2 emissions balance. They also see investing in reducing the carbon footprint as a step towards achieving operational savings, a healthier work environment, and a sign of social responsibility to employees and the future of their children.
In addition to monitoring the impact of the implemented measures on the overall energy and carbon balance of the City of Brno, the Statutory City of Brno will develop incentive tools and provide partners with consulting assistance with identifying the possibility, thus reducing the carbon footprint.
Mayor of Brno for the Statutory City of Brno
JUDr. Markéta Vaňková
HC Kometa Brno
Cooperation with the HC Kometa Brno ice hockey club began symbolically with the signing of a joint memorandum on celebrating the 100th anniversary of Masaryk University in November 2019. After a competitive match, the specially modified jerseys with the MUNI logo were auctioned, and the proceeds were used through the Kometa Foundation in cooperation with the Faculty of Education of Masaryk University to develop education in methods for helping people with an autism spectrum disorder.
“For our university, this is one of the ways to connect closer academics, students, and residents of the city, of which we are an integral part.”
Prof. MUDr. Martin Bareš, PhD.
Rector of MUNI
Other joint projects in the future should enable the development of university sport, the cultivation of the sports environment, and promoting a healthy lifestyle of young people.
HC Kometa Brno players also participated in the "100 litres of blood" campaign to get new and regular blood donors.
Brno University Hospital
Close cooperation between the Brno Hospital (FN Brno) and the University has a long tradition. In the spring of 2020, during the first wave of the world pandemic of the coronavirus, volunteers (among first-line medics) joined the sampling tents, and students of the Faculty of Education of Masaryk University organized leisure activities for children of hospital staff in children's groups in the premises of the Bohunice campus.
Become our partner
Are you interested in a partnership with MUNI in the field of sustainability? Contact us.