comeniusunivers ity

in bratislavammxv

numbers graphs pictures

c o m e n i u s u n i v e r s i t y i n n u m b e r s a n d G r a p h s 2 0 1 5

u n i v e r s i t y m a n a G e m e n t 4

h i s t o r y a n d v a l u e s 8

m i s s i o n 1 0

v i s i o n 1 2

i n d e p e n d e n t e v a l u a t i o n s 1 4

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e d u c at i o n 2 5

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c o m e n i u s u n i v e r s i t y i n b r a t i s l a v a i n n u m b e r s a n d G r a p h s 2 0 1 5

O u r u n i v e r s i t y h a s g i v e n S l o v a k i a a president, prime ministers and cabinet ministers as well as many top scientists, sportspeople and other personalities from social life. We are preparing a new generation for the knowledge society. We are training an elite…

u n i v e r s i t y m a n a G e m e n t

2015 marked the beginning of a new executive team at Comenius University in Bratislava. Prof. RNDr. Karol Mičieta, Ph.D., was reappointed rector by slovak president andrej Kiska. Prof. Mičieta is serving his second term in this office.

Prof. RNDr. Karol Mičieta, Ph.D.Rector

prof. Judr. mária patakyová, csc.Vice-Rector for Legislation

assoc. prof. rndr. daniel olejár, ph.d.Vice-Rector for Information Technology

RNDr. Zuzana Kovačičová, Ph.D.Vice-Rector for Study

ing. monika tarabováRegistrar

assoc. prof. mgr. vincent múcska, ph.d.Vice-Rector for Development

prof. mudr. daniela ostatníková, ph.d.Vice-Rector for International Relations

prof. rndr. peter moczo, drsc.Vice-Rector for Science and Postgraduate Study

t h e u n i v e r s i t y e x e c u t i v e i s t h e p e r m a n e n t a d v i s o r y b o d y t o t h e r e c t o r .The members of the executive include the rector, the vice-rectors, and the registrar.

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c o m e n i u s u n i v e r s i t y h a s t h i r t e e n F a c u lt i e s , W h i c h a r e m a n a G e d b y d e a n s ,v i c e - d e a n s a n d F a c u lt y s e c r e t a r i e s .

1—CU management : in the upper row sit the vice-rectors and Chairman of the Academic Senate; in the lower row sit the deans. The rector is standing at the front.2—The appointment of new deans.3—The deans' insignia.

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Prof. MUDr. Juraj Šteňo, DrSc.Dean FMED CU

Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Milan Trizna, CSc.Dean FNS CU

prof. phdr. Jaroslav Šušol, ph.d.Dean FARS CU

Prof. PharmDr. Pavel Mučaji, Ph.D.Dean FPHARM CU

Prof. PaedDr. Alica Vančová, CSc.Dean FEDU CU

assoc. prof. Judr. eduard burda, ph.d.Dean FLAW CU

assoc. prof. mgr. marián vanderka, ph.d.Dean FSPORT CU

prof. mudr. Ján danko, ph.d.Dean JFMED CU

prof. rndr. Jozef masarik, drsc.Dean FMPH CU

assoc. prof. phdr. Judr. lucia mokrá, ph.d.Dean FSES CU

prof. rndr. Jozef Komorník, drsc.Dean FM CU

thdr. ing. vladimír thurzo, ph.d.Dean FRCTH CU

Assoc. Prof. Mgr. Ľubomír Batka, Dr.Theol.Dean FELTH CU

h i s t o r y a n d v a l u e s

The economic, social and cultural development of medieval cities was essential to the establishment of the first universities, those of the type now commonly found in Western Europe. The sovereigns or other authorities who stood at the birth of the f irst universities realized that universities could produce a well-educated intellectual elite which could use its knowledge and abilities for the benefit of the city where they were educated as well as for the benefit of everyone who would be interested. At the same time in Western Christianity, which in the 11th century experienced a turbulent development, there was an increasing conviction that God had created the world as a knowable entity and that he had wanted mankind to learn more about it. A requirement for acquiring a full university education was the mastering of the seven liberal arts, collectively comprising t h e t r i v i u m (grammar, rhetoric, and dialectics [logic]) and t h e q u a d r i v i u m

“They were exciTing Times, full of joyful work. we all did our uTmosT. everyone had a job To do, and we all had difficulTies and concerns. in sTaff meeTings, which wenT on inTo The evening and ofTen inTo The nighT, we discussed how To fill The remaining chairs as well as The urgenT needs of our alma maTer and iTs fuTure.”

From a contribution which discusses the first days of the university’s establishment written by Prof. Kristián Hynek, who was one of the initiators behind the founding of Comenius University and its first rector, in a yearbook covering the first five years of the university’s existence entitled Ročenka Univerzity Komenského za obdobie prvých piatich rokov 1919—1926.

K n o W l e d G e F o r t h e

c o m m o n G o o d

in the present day, universities are taken for granted as a part ofour culture. We forget how unique and valuable they actually are.

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From its very inception, Comenius University was built as an educational and scientif ic institution where learning in the Humboldtian sense was based upon the latest research f indings. The university and the members of its academic community were behind t h e b i r t h o f m o d e r n s c i e n c e i n S l o v a k i a , and they were also decisive in the formation of other r e s e a r c h and higher education institutions, including the Slovak Academy of Sciences (1942/1953) and Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice (1959).

In its very name, Comenius University in Bratislava honours the work and legacy of John Amos Comenius, the “ t e a c h e r o f n a t i o n s ” , who considered school to be a place which educates people as well as a “ m a n u f a c t o r y o f h u m a n i t y ” .

(arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music). These arts refined the art of original thought and correct argumentation. Only after the successful completion of these subjects could scholars then study medicine, law or theology at artistic faculties.

The University of Bologna, which was established in 1088, is considered to be the oldest university in the world. Following the Bologna model, t h e U n i v e r s i t a s I s t r o p o l i t a n a was established in Bratislava in 1465. In October 2015 Comenius University celebrated the 550th anniversary of the establishment of this medieval university on the Danube, and it proudly follows in its tradition. In doing so, it has raised the signif icance of classical universities for the modern world and its future.

b e h i n d t h e b i r t h o F m o d e r n

s c i e n c e i n s l o v a K i a

a m a n u F a c t o r y o F h u m a n i t y

1—CU Building.2—The Atrium at the CU Faculty of Arts.3—The CU Auditorium.

“a wise man has noT only knowledge buT also moral qualiTies; he knows how To live properly.”

John Amos Comenius

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m i s s i o n

our university has given slovakia a president, prime ministers and cabinet ministers as well as many top scientists, sportspeople and other personalities. We are preparing a new generation for the knowledge society. We are training a elite; our graduates occupy a number of positions on various levels and in many areas of society.

The university contributes to the wealth of knowledge and is a signif icant bearer of the legacy of humanism and ethical values. The resolution of important social issues and problems in Slovakia is hard to imagine without the participation of Comenius University (CU).

From the very beginning, the founders of European universities perceived them as more than just centres of learning and spreading knowledge. They instilled in them the obligation to spread common values of ethics, humanism and tolerance. This mission has not weakened over the centuries; if anything, it has become stronger.

The role of schools which are part of the European Higher Education Area and the common European R e s e a r c h Area is to develop knowledge, wisdom, goodwill and creativity so that

a l e G a c y o F h u m a n i s m

s p r e a d i n G K n o W l e d G e

p a r t o F t h e e u r o p e a n h i G h e r

e d u c at i o n a r e a

“The only Teacher worThy of This name is one who inspires The spiriT of free Thinking and develops a sense of personal responsibiliTy.”

John Amos Comenius

people become harmonious individuals and contribute to the level of scholarship, science, culture and health for the wellbeing of all society.

The core mission of CU is to serve the community by developing and spreading scholarship, undertaking s c i e n t i f i c r e s e a r c h , and creating values which contribute to the overall wellbeing of society. CU guarantees the preservation of freedom and democratic principles on its grounds as well as beyond them; it considers the spreading of these values and principles to all of society to be a core responsibility.

CU proudly embraces its traditions and enhances the values upon which it was founded. The education of its students and the spreading of learning outside of the university’s grounds is primarily founded on its own scientif ic activities and on knowledge gained from international interdisciplinary r e s e a r c h .

o r i G i n a l s c i e n t i F i c

r e s e a r c h

t r a d i t i o n s a n d v a l u e s

d i d y o u K n o W t h a t CU can be found in the rankings of the top universities worldwide ?

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v i s i o n

in the 2015/2016 academic year, comenius university opened its gates to students for the ninety-seventh time in a ceremony held in the refurbished auditorium. the university’s existence is inseparably linked to the history of slovakia as well as slovak scholarship, science, culture, art and sport.

The strategic direction of Comenius University (CU) in individual areas is defined in its Long-Term Development Plan for the period from 2014 to 2024; this document is based on the university’s mission, the long-term strategy to date and strategic documents forming the framework of the scope of higher education in Slovakia and the European Union.

i n t h e a r e a o F e d u c a t i o n ,CU has maintained its position as the most signif icant national university and a university of international repute. Through its systematic activities, the university will continue to prove that it is focused on students and receptive to their needs. It will stand out among providers of higher education for its high quality of tuition and will continue to innovate the study programmes it offers. It will mould students into critically thinking people with

the university has an interest in maintaining its position as a partner whose opinions are of major importance for the country and society in education and scientific research as well as in cultural and social life.

t h e l o n G - t e r m

d e v e l o p m e n t p l a n

t h e m o s t s i G n i F i c a n t

n a t i o n a l u n i v e r s i t y

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a highly specialized education and ethical, social and communicative competencies at the highest level who are ready to assume responsible roles in society. The university will increase the academic mobility of students and teaching staff, expand the range of study programmes in foreign languages, and continue to actively advocate for its students in the most signif icant international academic organizations. It will create joint study programmes with respected universities abroad and preserve those study programmes which do not have any parallel at other Slovak universities for the nation’s cultural and educational development. It will also support f ields of study focusing on national life, customs and traditions, and will introduce new impulses into lifelong education.

i n t h e a r e a o F s c i e n c e a n d r e s e a r c h ,CU has placed a priority on areas with exceptional potential in research and its practical application by focusing on the closest possible connection between research and social needs. The university will strengthen its present position as a leader and will place an emphasis on innovation and excellent research on an international level. It will be an equal partner in building a common European Research Area. The university operates the Technology Transfer Centre, which aims to effectively transfer the results of science and research into practical application. By implementing a university-wide system of evaluation meeting international standards, the university will support the highest quality of science and research. It will support interdisciplinary research programmes by maximizing its scientif ic capacities and concentrating them in the university’s Science Park, Centres of Excellence and Competence Centres. The university will continue its work in creating excellent conditions for the completion of big projects supported by international grants and in organizing top-level academic events on university grounds.

i n t h e a r e a o F m a n a G e m e n t,CU has set itself the following strategic goals: developing human resources, creating a pleasant and environmentally responsible workplace, focusing on professionalism and performance in administrative tasks, using the most modern information and communications technology, freeing creative personnel of their administrative burden, implementing a university-wide system of management quality, and making the internal organization of the university f lexible to present demands.

a p r i o r i t y

p l a c e o n

i n n o v a t i o n s

a n d r e s e a r c h

o n a n

i n t e r n a t i o n a l

l e v e l

a m o d e r n

u n i v e r s i t y

1—The Observatory at the CU Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics.2—A lecture by Prof. Štefan Toma from the CU Faculty of Natural Sciences.

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i n d e p e n d e n t e v a l u at i o n s

the level of provided education alongside the quality of science and research undertaken at comenius university is regularly assessed by independent ranking agencies.

On a national level, the highest authority which ranks the performance of institutions of higher education is the Accreditation Commission. In its last report, the commission stated that:

c o m e n i u s u n i v e r s i t y s t a n d s o u t F o r its tradition as a p r o m i n e n t s c i e n t i f i c r e s e a r c h and c u l t u r a l

i n s t i t u t i o n in Slovakia its concentration o f e l i t e r e s e a r c h t e a m s and C e n t r e s o f E x c e l l e n c e the professional awareness of university aff iliation among its students its i n t e r n a t i o n a l r e p u t a t i o n a n d r e c o g n i t i o n its desirable geographical location in terms of national and international signif icance its well prepared long-term plan and internal quality assurance system its quality system of library services at university level as well as at most faculties its publishing activities its institutional s u p p o r t i n s e c u r i n g g r a n t s a n d i t s s u c c e s s in acquiring

extra-budgetary f inancial resources from domestic as well as international grant agencies

its institutional s u p p o r t o f s c i e n t i f i c a n d r e s e a r c h a c t i v i t y among doctoral students and young scientists

its cooperation with a number of centres at the Slovak Academy of Sciences and other prominent national and international institutions

r a t i n GT h e A c c r e d i t a t i o n C o m m i s s i o n has positively evaluated Comenius University for many years, in particular for its h i g h c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f t o p - l e v e l s c i e n t i f i c t e a m s , its international r e p u t a t i o n and r e c o g n i t i o n , its training of s u c c e s s f u l s t u d e n t s and g r a d u a t e s , its c o o p e r a t i o n with a large number of scientif ic centres, and its s u p p o r t o f t h e s c i e n t i f i c a n d r e s e a r c h a c t i v i t i e s of doctoral students and young scientists.

a h i G h c o n c e n t r a t i o n o F

t o p - l e v e l s c i e n t i F i c t e a m s

t o p 5 0 0The quality of Comenius University has also been shown in evaluations by international ranking agencies. Comenius University is t h e o n l y S l o v a k u n i v e r s i t y to feature in the University Ranking by Academic Performance (URAP) as one of the top 500 universities in the world.

The results of the comparisons of outputs by universities reflected in the methodologies of the international rankings confirm the continuity of quality offered by our university.

2011—2012

2012—2013

2013—2014

2014—2015

2015—2016 494th place

475th place

495th place

527th place

546th place> top 500

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the ranking of comenius university by the university ranKinG by academic perFormance (URAP)

i n 2 0 15 c o m e n i u s u n i v e r s i t y ( C U ) W a s r a n K e d :

494th

In 2015 U R A P placed CU in 4 9 4 t h place out of 2000 evaluated universities, which were initially selected from a total of 20,000 universities from around the world. This means that CU is in the top 24.8 % of universities worldwide and has importantly kept its place in the top 500 of that group. The university’s activities were evaluated according to objective criteria, including reputation on both a regional and global level, credibility among academics and employers, publication productivity measured upon the basis of signif icant research publications and articles in renowned journals, the number of citations and patents, the extent of international cooperation, and success in the form of international awards received by scientists and students as well as the employability of graduates and their levels of success.

135th

In the B R I C S & E m e r g i n g E c o n o m i e s R a n k i n g s , CU placed 13 5 t h within the top 200 universities from thirty-five countries worldwide. The evaluation criteria include teaching, research, citations (research influence), international outlook and industry income.

601st— 800th

The same parameters are used by the T i m e s H i g h e r E d u c a t i o n W o r l d U n i v e r s i t y R a n k i n g s , where CU placed in the 601–800 band among the top 1,128 universities worldwide.

d i d y o u K n o W t h a t the shanghai ranking (academic ranking of World universities) was published for the first time in 2003? it was put together by chinese scientists in order to aid in the evaluation of chinese universities in comparison to competing universities abroad in the area of r e s e a r c h . this ranking created so much interest that it brought about a new era of comparison at the international level ?

r e s e a r c h q u a l i t y a n d

r e p u t a t i o n , p u b l i c a t i o n

p r o d u c t i v i t y , c i t a t i o n s , a n d

t h e e x t e n t o F i n t e r n a t i o n a l

c o o p e r a t i o n

505th

The U . S . N e w s B e s t G l o b a l U n i v e r s i t i e s R a n k i n g placed CU in 5 0 5 t h place out of 750 universities worldwide. In the area of physics, CU placed 152nd out of the top 250 universities worldwide. The input source for the top 1000 universities in the world was the Thomson Reuters InCites database. The reputation of specialized research, number of research publications, number of citations and international cooperation had the greatest weight among the twelve parameters.

634th

In the R a n k i n g W e b o f U n i v e r s i t i e s , CU was ranked 634th out of more than 20,000 evaluated universities and thus placed in the TOP 3 % of universities worldwide.

685th

The C e n t e r f o r W o r l d U n i v e r s i t y R a n k i n g s (CWUR) ranked CU 6 8 5 t h out of more than 22,000 evaluated universities, putting it in the top 3.1% of universities worldwide. The CWUR measures the quality of education and training students receive as well as the quality of research independently of any surveys and data provided by the universities themselves. The top 1000 universities are then selected for a comprehensive ranking which is based upon eight objective criteria. CU was the only Slovak institution of higher education to be included among the top 1000 universities in the world.

651st—700th

In the Q S W o r l d U n i v e r s i t y R a n k i n g s , CU was placed in the 651–700 band among the 800 best universities worldwide.

the cWur measures the quality of education and training students receive as well as the quality oF research independently of any surveys and data provided by the universities themselves. the top 1000 universities are then selected for a comprehensive ranking which is based upon eight objective criteria.

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J u b i l e e sThe many years of developing and spreading scholarship which is primarily based upon i n d i v i d u a l s c i e n t i f i c a c t i v i t y and the results of international r e s e a r c h can be seen in the special anniversaries that were celebrated by the university in 2015 : the seventy-fif th anniversary of the establishment of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and the f if ty-f if th anniversary of the establishment of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport.

The Faculty of Natural Sciences has seventy-five years of tradition, an exceptionally high level of scientif ic achievement, successful international projects, and modern laboratory facilities that guarantee a q u a l i t y e d u c a t i o n . The staff at the faculty annually publish more than 300 articles in prestigious international journals with a high impact factor. The

t h e 7 5 t h a n n i v e r s a r y o F t h e

F a c u l t y o F n a t u r a l s c i e n c e s

t h e u n i v e r s i t y a n d s o c i e t y

as the successor to its tradition, in 2015 comenius university commemorated the 550th anniversary of academia istropolitana’s establishment. this ceremonial scientific and academic event was held under the auspices of slovak president andrej Kiska.

1—The Sceptre of CU Rector. 2—Andrej Kiska, President of the Slovak Republic and Karol Mičieta, CU Rector.3—CU rowing team.4—5—Facilities at the CU Faculty of Physical Education and Sport.6—Anton Tkáč, CU graduate, Olympic Champion in Men’s Sprint Cycling.

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Accreditation Commission identif ied six teams at the faculty working at an elite level. Additionally, prestigious international rankings have given brilliant evaluations to the faculty’s study programmes. The Faculty of Natural Sciences has signif icant s c i e n t i f i c a n d r e s e a r c h and pedagogical p o t e n t i a l for Comenius University, Slovakia, and the whole world.

Over more than half a century, the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport has trained physical education professionals (trainers, coaches and teachers) and elite sportspeople who regularly represent Slovakia at the Olympic Games, world championships and European championships, such as Marianna Némethová-Krajčírová in gymnastics, Mária Mračnová-Faithová in athletics, Anton Tkáč in track cycling, Ivan Báthory and Martin Bajčičák in cross-country skiing, Pavol Hurajt in biathlon, Michal Riszdorfer and Erik Vlček in canoe sprint, and Jozef Gönci in shooting. The university’s f irst medallist at the Olympic Games was Bohuš Golian, who was a member of the Czechoslovak volleyball team which won a silver medal at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. The graduates of the faculty have thus far won fourteen medals at the Olympic Games in total. The faculty’s main aim in the future is to prepare elite specialists in physical education and sport as well as in the areas of r e s e a r c h in sports sciences (sport educology, sport humanistics and sport kinanthropology).

s o c i e t yTo celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, the university hosted the “ S e v e n t i e t h A n n i v e r s a r y o f t h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s – C u r r e n t a n d F u r t h e r C h a l l e n g e s ” conference. This conference was organized by Comenius University, the Diplomatic Academy – Karol Rybárik Institute of International Relations based at Comenius University’s Faculty of Law, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, and the Slovak Society of

t h e 5 5 t h a n n i v e r s a r y o F

t h e F a c u l t y o F p h y s i c a l

e d u c a t i o n a n d s p o r t

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International Law based at the Slovak Academy of Sciences. The conference was held under the auspices of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajčák and university rector Karol Mičieta. Part of the conference involved the awarding of an honorary doctorate from Comenius University to UN Secretary-General B a n K i - m o o n . The speakers talked about the roles of the UN in the modern world, Slovakia’s bonds to the organization, migration as a current challenge, and the UN Charter and associated reforms within the organization.

Building on this event, the Slovakia Model United Nations (SlovakMUN) Conference 2015, which was the f irst university model UN meeting in Slovakia, was also held at Comenius University. This project was organized by Comenius University and the European Law Students' Association in Bratislava in partnership with the Chancellery of the National Council of the Slovak Republic. The conference was attended by many students, teaching staff, media representatives, experts in the f ield, and other guests. The speakers included such personalities as Iveta Radičová (the former Slovak prime minister and currently the special adviser to the European Commissioner for Justice), Mária Patakyová (the university’s vice-rector for legislation) and representatives of various diplomatic missions. Vladislav Mičátek, the vice-dean of the university’s Faculty of Law, stated that: “This and similar international conferences organized by the academic community in partnership with state bodies

t h e c o n F e r e n c e ” s e v e n t i e t h

a n n i v e r s a r y o F t h e u n i t e d

n a t i o n s — c u r r e n t a n d

F u r t h e r c h a l l e n G e s “

a m o d e l u n m e e t i n G i n s l o v a K i a

”be a global ciTizen. acT wiTh passion and compassion. help us make This world safer and more susTainable Today and for The generaTions ThaT will follow us. ThaT is our moral responsibiliTy.“

Ban Ki-moon

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contribute to the spreading of expert awareness among the public and ref lect the challenges the UN faces in achieving a permanent state of sustainable development and in engaging the citizenry in discussions about the world we live in and our common future.”

In 2015 Comenius University hosted a number of panel discussions on current social topics, including energy security and the building of an energy union, themes touching on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership between the United States and the European Union, the Ukraine crisis, and the future of transatlantic security. The aim of these events was to direct attention to certain society-wide issues and create a space for expert discussion. This and similar events contribute to the spreading of expert awareness among the public and reflect the challenge set by the EU of including citizens in discussions about the world we live in and our common future.

p e r s o n a l i t i e sComenius University a w a r d s h o n o r a r y d o c t o r a t e s to important Slovak and international f igures who have signif icantly contributed to the development of education, science, culture, democracy, and human values, and who have personally helped bring about civilizational progress by spreading learning and humanism. In 2015 Comenius University awarded honorary doctorates to two signif icant personalities.

The first of these people was the UN Secretary-General B a n K i -m o o n . He received his honorary doctorate for his role in f inding peaceful solutions between nations and spreading the ideas of

c u r r e n t t o p i c s

h o n o r a r y

d o c t o r a t e s

1—The first university model UN meeting in Slovakia was held at the Comenius University Auditorium.2—The conference on the 70th anniversary of the United Nations was held under the auspices of the Slovak Minister of Foreign Affairs Miroslav Lajčák and CU Rector Karol Mičieta.3—The first university model UN meeting in Slovakia.

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humanism, democracy and understanding between nations in politics and in practical law, legal science and legal education. He played a crucial role in many international agreements; his activity has a worldwide scale and impacts events in Slovakia and even in the scientif ic and teaching activities at Comenius University.

In 2015 an honorary doctorate was also awarded by the rector to P r o f . B e r n h a r d G . H . E i t e l , who is a pioneer in the use of innovative geophysical and geochemical methods and geoinformatics in archaeology in Slovakia as well as abroad. Prof. Eitel received his honorary doctorate for his c o n t r i b u t i o n t o i n t e r d i s c i p l i n r y a n d i n t e r -i n s t i t u t i o n a l r e s e a r c h in the historical and natural sciences, the use of innovative methods in archaeological research, and the development of cooperative partnerships and support for archaeological research projects between German and Slovak institutions, particularly Heidelberg University, Comenius University, and the Slovak Academy of Sciences.

In 2015 Comenius University continued its series of public lectures by signif icant academic f igures. The aim of these lectures is to present scholarly insights for both the academic community and the general public in a way that is accessible, appealing and understandable. The chance to hear about highly specialized problems and issues surrounding current events in combination with the opportunity to meet with signif icant experts and the holders of many prestigious prizes met with an exceptionally positive reception.

The series of lectures given by Nobel Prize winners included one given by F i n n E r l i n g K y d l a n d , who was a co-recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics for his work on dynamic macroeconomics. Alongside his colleague Edward Christian Prescott, he had pointed out the presence of time consistency in economic policy. Their key contribution to science was the integration of the theory of economic cycles into the theory of economic growth. They laid down the foundations for the creation of new models which assess cycles as the collective result of decisions by households and companies concerning consumption, investment and the labour force.

u n s e c r e t a r y —

G e n e r a l b a n

K i - m o o n

p r o F e s s o r

b e r n h a r d

G . h . e i t e l

t h e l e c t u r e b y

n o b e l l a u r e a t e

p r o F e s s o r F i n n

K y d l a n d

3

2

1

Another of the university’s lecture cycles involved professors from dif ferent branches of the university and included a lecture by P r o f . E m í l i a H r a b o v e c , who discussed relations between Slovakia and the Holy See during the Cold War. The lecture outlined the Vatican’s Eastern policy, which remains one of the most discussed topics of r e s e a r c h in 20th century history. She clarif ied its historical context, causes, and motives, and then evaluated the continuity and discontinuity between the Eastern policies of Paul VI and John Paul II.

In November 2015 Comenius University welcomed J a m e s B . S t e e l e , a t w o - t i m e w i n n e r o f t h e P u l i t z e r P r i z e and one of the most distinguished investigative journalists in the world. In his lecture, entitled “The Voice of Truth in Times of Global Concealment”, Steele emphasized that the media need investigative journalists so that, in addition to following everyday events, they can identify certain cases that are off their “radar” and analyse them.

t h e l e c t u r e

b y p r o F e s s o r

e m i l i a

h r a b o v e c

t h e l e c t u r e

b y t W o - t i m e

p u l i t z e r p r i z e

W i n n e r J a m e s

b . s t e e l e

”The hearT of journalism is To speak for Those who don’T have a voice“

James B. Steele

1—CU awarded an honorary doctorate to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.2—Professor Bernhard G. H. Eitel being awarded an honorary doctorate.3—Professor Finn Kydland, Nobel laureate.4—James B. Steele, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner.5—Professor Emilia Hrabovec.

Page 22—23

4 5

h u m a n i t yIn the spirit of the core mission of Comenius University, which is to serve society and contribute to wellbeing through its created values, the university organized t h e s i x t h a n n u a l U n i v e r s i t y D r o p o f B l o o d c a m p a i g n in cooperation with the National Transfusion Service of the Slovak Republic. The aim of this event was to encourage students to get into the habit of regularly giving blood, which is one of the most precious of liquids. A unit of donated blood is processed into three dif ferent components: red blood cell concentrate, blood platelets, and fresh frozen plasma. This means that the donor can help up to three patients. The latest University Drop of Blood saw 429 students, staff and friends of the university participate as donors.

The message of Christmas, the most beautiful holiday in the year, inspired students from Comenius University to start a charity project called T h e U n i v e r s i t y W i s h i n g T r e e . The students behind this initiative collected more than 200 Christmas wishes from people in dif f icult life situations: chronically ill children in hospital, elderly people in social care homes, people living in crisis centres and social accommodation, and children living in children’s homes. They then gave the students and staff at Comenius University the opportunity to fulf il these wishes. The project joined those who needed a bit of cheer at Christmas with students and staff who were only too happy to make the holiday season an enjoyable one for them. As a result, Christmas was made a more beautiful occasion for those who otherwise could not manage to make it so on their own.

This sort of initiative is proof that Comenius University is fulf illing its mission and leading its students, its future graduates, towards personal and professional excellence as well as humanism and humaneness.

t h e u n i v e r s i t y

d r o p o F b l o o d

c a m p a i G n

t h e u n i v e r s i t y

W i s h i n G t r e e

“we are all ciTizens of one world, we are all of one blood.”

John Amos Comenius

1—A Christmas recital by opera singer Adriana Kučerová in the CU Auditorium.2—A lecture by Prof. Peter Moczo, the Vice-Rector for Science and Postgraduate Study at Comenius University, who was the patron of the seminar.

1

Page 24—25

“over The lasT 500 years, noThing has had a greaTer influence on The developmenT of The human spiriT, culTure, indusTry, agriculTure, and healTh Than free research and scienTific knowledge moTivaTed by curiosiTy and The spiriT of inquiry of The mind,”

said the university vice-rector and chairman of the Slovak Commission for Academic Degrees, Prof. Peter Moczo.

e d u c at i o n

the core mission of comenius university is to develop and spread learning. as a research institution, it does this in a creative and scientific way. comenius university pays special attention to the value of its scientific work and teaching so that its students are guided by top-level experts who provide knowledge from their own research and from world-class sources of academic inquiry on an interdisciplinary basis.

In 2015 the key themes of mutual correlation between quality education and s c i e n t i f i c r e s e a r c h were dealt with in an expert seminar entitled “ T h e U n i v e r s i t y – E d u c a t i o n o r R e s e a r c h ? ” under the auspices of Prof. Peter Moczo, the vice-rector f o r s c i e n c e a n d p o s t g r a d u a t e s t u d y . Inspirational presentations were given to a capacity audience in the university’s Auditorium by teachers and scientists from the university – Prof. Jozef Masarik, Prof Štefan Toma, Prof. Milan Kováč, and Assoc. Prof Peter Celec. Quality education leads to better r e s e a r c h and vice versa. The performance of q u a l i t y r e s e a r c h is a motivation to then share results with students. Adhering to this motto, Comenius University educates highly-qualif ied, productive, capable and employable graduates and doctoral students.

q u a l i t y e d u c a t i o n a n d

s c i e n t i F i c r e s e a r c h

2

m o t i v a t i o n a l

s c h o l a r s h i p s

m e d i c a l

s t u d e n t o F

t h e y e a r

y o u n G

s c i e n t i s t s

t h e s t u d e n t

p e r s o n a l i t y

o F t h e y e a r

p r i z e s F o r s t u d e n t s a n d t e a c h e r sComenius University (CU) encourages efforts at excellence by students and teaching staff in the form of Academic Mentions which are traditionally awarded by the rector on International Students’ Day. In 2015 the award ceremony was held for the eleventh time. Thirty students and twenty-eight teachers from CU were awarded Academic Mentions for activities which spread the good name of their faculty, university, and Slovakia in a European and broader context. For quality results in studies, the university a w a r d e d f i n a n c i a l a w a r d s ( “ m o t i v a t i o n a l s c h o l a r s h i p s ” ) t o t h e a m o u n t o f €1 , 13 7, 4 21 .

The talent and intellect of the students from CU excelled in a range of fora in 2015.

In the 2015 Medical Student of the Year competition, featuring 114 medical students in the f if th and sixth years of study at Slovak universities, students from Comenius University’s Faculty of Medicine and Jessenius Faculty of Medicine took the f irst three places. T h e M e d i c a l S t u d e n t o f t h e Y e a r was Andrej Skvašík from the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine.

The 2015 winner of the seventh annual interactive conference of Y o u n g S c i e n t i s t s was Adriána Furdová, a student at Comenius University’s Faculty of Medicine. Her work stood out for its innovative ideas and application and educational outputs focusing on alternative diagnostics and the management of eye diseases in developing countries.

The eleventh year of the S t u d e n t P e r s o n a l i t y o f S l o v a k i a competition was organized by Junior Chamber International under the auspices of the Slovak president. This event, focusing on the 2014/2015 academic year, saw CU students win in two categories. The winner of the Informatics and Mathematical and Physical Science category was Mgr. Zuzana Kovaľová, a doctoral student from the Department of Astronomy, Physics of the Earth and Meteorology at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics. RNDr. Lukáš Krivosudský, Ph.D., from the Faculty of Natural Sciences was the winner of the category of Natural Sciences and Chemistry.

CU students' share oF the total number oF students in slovaKia

15.4 %

100 % (162,568)

7 0 9 a c c r e d i t e d s t u d y

p r o G r a m m e s

2 5 3 4 9 s t u d e n t s

The prestige of CU was also reflected in the election of Jana Šmelková, a doctoral student at the Faculty of Law, as the new c h a i r w o m a n o f t h e s t u d e n t c o u n c i l f o r h i g h e r e d u c a t i o n , which is the highest representative body of university students in Slovakia.

The dominant position of CU in higher education in Slovakia is ensured by the diversity and number of study programmes it offers. Moreover, the university has the largest number of students and the largest number of applicants for its study programmes. Graduates of the university enjoy a very high rate of employability and are among the best earning professionals in the job market.

s t u d y p r o G r a m m e sThe profile of CU as a classical university allows students to choose from the widest range of study programmes in Slovakia. In 2015 the university offered 709 accredited study programmes which covered a diverse array of social, educational, medical, natural science, economic, legal, and theological disciplines: quite literally, everything from A (Applied Informatics) to Z (Zoology). Within its great range of programmes, CU has traditionally offered courses (such as Curative Education and Asian Languages and Cultures) which are not taught at any other Slovak university.

In 2015 CU had 25,349 s t u d e n t s studying at three levels, which accounted for about 15.5% of all students at public, private and state institutions of higher education in Slovakia.

CU doctoral students' share oF the total number oF doctoral students in slovaKia

CU'S international students as a share oF the total number oF international students in slovaKia

25.4 % 23.3 %

100 % (8,220) 100 % (10,053)

Page 26—27

The university had 2,082 students in doctoral study, which is more than 25 % of all doctoral students in Slovakia.

In an attempt to expand the educational profile and improve the standard of education, the Confucius Institute at CU commenced its activities in September 2015. Its mission is to provide students and the broader public with a solid knowledge of the Chinese language and culture in the form of courses and a diverse spectrum of various activities and to become a platform for cultural exchange between China and Slovakia.

An important landmark in education at CU was the opening of a joint Master’s study programme Physics of the Earth with the University of Vienna. This was the f irst such programme between a Slovak university and a foreign one. This programme is only offered in the English language. Graduates of this programme are graduates of both universities. The study programme is oriented towards the study of physical processes in the Earth’s interior and the cosmic space around our planet.

A wide range of study options in l i f e l o n g e d u c a t i o n is offered by CU for the public. In 2015 thousands of people attended career and language courses offered by the university’s Centre for Continuing Education as well as traditional summer schools and expert lectures.

The centre actively contributes to the education of senior citizens. In 2015 the U n i v e r s i t y o f t h e t h i r d A g e celebrated its twenty-fif th anniversary. It offered thirty-seven branches of study and sixty-two study groups for 1,894 students.

t h e c o n F u c i u s

i n s t i t u t e a t c u

p h y s i c s o F

t h e e a r t h

t h e c e n t r e F o r

c o n t i n u i n G

e d u c a t i o n

t h e u n i v e r s i t y

o F t h e t h i r d

a G e

the number oF students in the First and second levels oF study (or combined study) For 2000—201523

,720

24,5

30

25,5

73

25,9

75

27,5

95

28,9

34

29,9

76

28,8

61

28,5

44

24,9

95

24,9

37

25,1

26

24,9

59

24,8

32

24,0

23

23,2

67

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Senior citizens could also receive an education during the f if th year of the Bratislava Summer University for Senior Citizens.

The summer traditionally focused on summer schools. The C h i l d r e n ’ s U n i v e r s i t y was held for children aged from nine to fourteen for the thirteenth year running. There were eight expert lectures designed for children which were supplemented by guided events, excursions and workshops.

S t u d i a A c a d e m i c a S l o v a c a – The Centre for Slovak as a Foreign Language organized the f if ty-f irst annual summer school focusing on the study of Slovak language and culture. The school was attended by 16 7 p a r t i c i p a n t s from thirty-seven countries.The twenty-fif th Summer University of Slovak Language and Culture, organized by the university’s Centre for Continuing Education, welcomed sixty-five participants from various countries.

The organizer of the 2015 J o u r n a l i s m S u m m e r S c h o o l for Expatriate Slovaks was the Department of Journalism at the Faculty of Arts in cooperation with the Office for Slovaks Living Abroad.

One of the strategic goals of the university in the area of education and supporting quality is the signif icance given to working with secondary schools. Building on the existing work by some of the university’s faculties and a multi-staged deepening of the partnership and the creation of stronger communication bonds with secondary schools, successful students from secondary schools in Bratislava were awarded with academic recognitions for their exceptional results and activities in the 2014/2015 academic year.

t h e c h i l d r e n ' s

u n i v e r s i t y

s t u d i a

a c a d e m i c a

s l o v a c a

t h e J o u r n a l i s m

s u m m e r s c h o o l

c o o p e r a t i o n

W i t h s e c o n d a r y

s c h o o l s

in 2015 comenius university had 2 5 , 3 4 9 s t u d e n t s studying at three levels, which accounted for about 1 5 . 5 % of all students at public, private and state institutions of higher education in slovakia. the university had 2 , 0 8 2 students in doctoral study…

the number oF students enrolled in the First year oF study and the number oF Graduates For 2005—2015

5,32

8

5,62

8

5,84

1

6,12

5

6,66

2

6,82

2

6,92

8

7,58

2

8,85

4

9,08

6

8,78

5

8,78

0

9,35

2

8,57

7

8,85

4

7,98

3

3,85

9

4,16

7

4,08

6

4,72

4

4,80

3

4,80

3

5,12

5

6,10

8

7,53

3

8,15

2

7,58

4

7,01

8

6,99

8

6,84

9

6,76

5

6,91

4

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

l enrolled in the f irst year of study l graduates

The dominant position the university enjoys in this regard is due to the work of the university’s creative staff, their ability to secure f inancial aid for scientif ic inquiry, and the achieved results. In 2015 the university was involved in 760 s c i e n t i f i c projects in various areas with multi-source funding totalling € 61 . 8 m i l l i o n .

The year was also a historically important one for the widening of the university’s research capacities. It has f if teen Centres of Excellence, and investments in science and research reached a total amount of €12 0 m i l l i o n including investments in the scientif ic infrastructure. The university will make a priority of supporting its r e s e a r c h potential in key areas through the opening of more r e s e a r c h centres from 2015.

s c i e n c e a n d r e s e a r c h

comenius university is one of the best science and research institutions in slovakia. indeed, the university is responsible for about one quarter of all scientific output in the country. the publication activity of the university makes up more than 40 % of the total number of research publications from all slovak institutions of higher education in indexed international journals.

1 5 c e n t r e s o F e x c e l l e n c e

1 5 c e n t r e s o F e x c e l l e n c e

21

Page 30—31

t h e l a r G e s t s c i e n t i F i c i n F r a s t r u c t u r e p r o J e c t s i n t h e u n i v e r s i t y ’ s h i s t o r yare t h e S c i e n c e P a r k and the aff iliated B i o M e d C e n t r e a t t h e J e s s e n i u s F a c u l t y o f M e d i c i n e i n M a r t i n . Both research centres, which have had about € 6 8 m i l l i o n invested in them to date, were successfully f inished and put into operation in 2015.

The Science Park, based in a modern and architecturally interesting building, is a part of the university complex at Mlynská dolina. T h e S c i e n c e P a r k is a platform for the creation of innovative solutions reflecting the needs of the market and the future direction of the EU. The Science Park was established with the aim of increasing the attractiveness of Slovakia in terms of innovation. In its activities, it connects the academic and s c i e n t i f i c sphere with industry and

c o m e n i u s u n i v e r s i t y

s c i e n c e p a r K a n d

b i o m e d m a r t i n

c o m e n i u s u n i v e r s i t y

s c i e n c e p a r K

Field publications citations citation per publication

Physics 1,637 31,356 19.15

Chemistry 1,180 11,609 9.84

Clinical Medicine 1,195 7,771 6.50

Biology & Biochemistry 888 6,492 7.31

Plant & Animal Science 317 2,717 8.57

all fields 7,947 80,102 10.08

cumulative data From 2006 to 2015

Essential Science Indicators (ESI) to 31 December 2015Note: the evaluation principle works on the basis of cumulative data for the previous ten years. This is updated every year.

1—2—Comenius University Science Park.3—BioMed Martin, the Centre for Biomedicine at the CU Jessenius Faculty of Medicine.

3

the state, and as a functional platform it allows new innovative solutions to be created and brought into use. The Science Park is focused on the f ields of biomedicine, biotechnology, environmental medicine and social challenges. Over the course of 2015, t h e S c i e n c e P a r k concluded an agreement on building a new s c i e n t i f i c r e s e a r c h and service centre with the ZTE Corporation and the Faculty of Informatics and Information Technologies at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava. The value of this investment is € 2 0 m i l l i o n , and one hundred new jobs are to be created by 2020.

B i o M e d M a r t i n , which is the centre for biomedicine at the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, is an excellent place for s c i e n c e a n d r e s e a r c h which offers an intellectually stimulating environment for innovative projects with the possibility of their application in clinical practice. It primarily supports the growth of quality in four areas of medical r e s e a r c h – neuroscience, molecular medicine, oncology and respirology. It creates the ideal conditions for the protection of intellectual property and the transfer of technology to practical application. The ultimate aim of r e s e a r c h and development at the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine is the improvement

t h e c e n t r e F o r

b i o m e d i c i n e

i n m a r t i n

comenius university's share oF total publication activity in slovaKia as a % For 2015

17.9 4.8 5.6 8.9 8.3 5.5 12.8 36.2

CU PJŠUK PU STU TUK EUB SAS otherGraph leGend

CU Comenius UniversityPJŠUK Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in KošicePU University of PrešovSTU Slovak University of TechnologyTUK Technical University of KošiceEUB University of Economics in BratislavaSAS Slovak Academy of Sciences

1

of people’s health. “You are making a good name for yourselves in Slovakia, in Europe and the whole world, and we must thank you for that,” said Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico at the ceremonial opening of the new BioMed Martin building on 21 May 2015.

In 2015 the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics opened the C e n t r e f o r N u c l e a r a n d A c c e l e r a t o r T e c h n o l o g y ; its most important asset is a tandem ion accelerator. The centre will signif icantly influence r e s e a r c h in Slovakia in the areas of natural sciences (the use of isotopes in r e s e a r c h i n g climate

change; r e s e a r c h into processes in the atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere; environmental pollution by radionuclides and heavy metals; and groundwater protection), physical sciences (e.g. r e s e a r c h into nuclear reactions for thermonuclear reactors and nanotechnological structures), technical sciences (e.g. new materials for thermonuclear reactors and r e s e a r c h into the damaging of materials by radiation), biomedical sciences (a nuclear microscope, radiation damage to DNA, and isotopic pharmacological r e s e a r c h ) , cosmic sciences (meteorite research), and archaeological sciences (radiocarbon dating and the authenticity of pictures and statues). The building of the centre was funded by

t h e c e n t r e F o r

n u c l e a r a n d

a c c e l e r a t o r

t e c h n o l o G y

Page 32—33

comenius university's share oF slovaK publications in the current contents connect database as a % For 2015

24.3 8.2 1.0 12.1 6.2 0.7 31.5 16.0

CU PJŠUK PU STU TUK EUB SAS other

1—The Comenius University Science Park.2—The foundation stone of the Comenius University Science Park.

2

a project run by the Centre of Excellence for the Physics of Complex Systems (European structural funds) and a contribution from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

In February 2015 Slovak President Andrej Kiska ceremoniously opened t h e E S E T R e s e a r c h C e n t r e at Comenius University, which is a joint project between the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics; the Faculty of Informatics and Information Technologies at the Slovak University of Technology; and ESET, which is an information security company. Information security at Comenius University and the Slovak University of Technology has a more than fif teen-year tradition in the form of teaching, research in cryptology, computational sophistication, models of computing, software engineering, operation systems, networks and conception activities, and cooperation with the business sector and state bodies. The purpose of the centre is to provide consultations to students in their preparation of scientif ic work and space for the undertaking of practical experiments in the f ield of information security. The centre will also be the location of various exercises related to the Basics of Reverse Engineering elective course. This subject will be taught by ESET security experts. “Today this place is precisely an example of what we want to occur. Namely, the linking of studies and their practical application,” said President Kiska.

p a t e n t sIn terms of transferring f indings and innovations and deepening cooperation with the private sector, which is another of

t h e e s e t

r e s e a r c h

c e n t r e

F l u m e d i c i n e

p r e p a r a t i o n

the number oF CU employees Teachers — 1,998, Researchers — 1,997 others — 444

45 %(1,998)

45 %(1,997)

10 %(444)

Comenius University's strategic goals in science and research, CU scientists formed a partnership with Synkola Ltd., a Slovak chemical company, and have managed to develop a process which allows them to considerably shorten the period of f lu medicine preparation. A top team of organic chemists from the Faculty of Natural Sciences has contributed to this considerable achievement led by Prof. Radovan Šebesta. Their solution is currently under patent proceedings with the Industrial Property Off ice of the Slovak Republic.

2015 also saw the first ever graduation ceremony of doctors of science take place at the university, with President Kiska awarding the doctors with diplomas from Comenius University, the Slovak Academy of Sciences, the Slovak University of Technology, and Pavol Jozef Šafárik University.

q u a l i t y a s s u r a n c e s y s t e mIn line with Prof. Moczo’s intention as the vice-rector for s c i e n c e and postgraduate study to initiate a constructive university-wide discussion on the creation and introduction of a university system of quality assurance in s c i e n t i f i c

t h e F i r s t C U

G r a d u a t i o n

c e r e m o n y o F

d o c t o r s o F

s c i e n c e

Page 34—35

an overvieW oF the structure oF teachinG staFF at CU in 2015

Professors and associate professors with a DrSc. : 279 — Associate professors without a DrSc. : 536 — Other teachers with a DrSc. : 1 — Other teachers with a Ph.D. or CSc. : 936 — Other teachers without a Ph.D. : 267 — Total : 2,019 — of which women : 955

13.8 %(279)

26.5 %(536)

0.10 %(1)

13.2 %(267)

52.7 %(1,064 men)

46.4 %(936)

47.3 %(955 women)

r e s e a r c h and artistic activity, a seminar entitled “How to Evaluate the Value of Research Results at University” was held in the Auditorium. Various methods and views on the matter were presented by Prof. Igor Podlubný, a mathematician and expert in scientometrics from the Technical University of Košice; Prof. Miroslav Urban, a chemist and Accreditation Commission member from Comenius University’s Faculty of Natural Sciences; Jana Ilavská, Ph.D., an information specialist and expert on scientometrics from Comenius University’s Academic Library; and Prof. Moczo, who, in addition to the roles mentioned above, is also a physicist.

a W a r d s F o r s c i e n t i F i c a c t i v i t i e sComenius University can be justly proud of the number of its successful scientists and teachers, who are part of the Slovak and world elite in their f ields.

A r e s e a r c h team from the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics which is led by Prof. Moczo was awarded t h e M . R . Š t e f á n i k P r i z e by the minister of education Juraj Draxler and the French ambassador Didier Lopinot. The bilateral Slovak-French r e s e a r c h a n d t e c h n i c a l cooperation on the SIMSHA project focused on the comparison of developed and used numerical methods for the modelling of seismic activity and disturbance at selected real locations and in canonical models representing typical local surface sedimentation structures. This comparison is of primary importance for the testing of possibilities of modern-day seismology to numerically reproduce recorded seismic activity and then reliably forecast seismic movements in signif icant places of interest in relation to future earthquakes within a comprehensive analysis of the seismic threat such areas face.

A n a w a r d b y t h e W o r l d H e a l t h O r g a n i z a t i o n (WHO) in recognition of World No Tobacco Day was given to Assoc. Prof. Tibor Baška from the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine for his work in the f ield of tobacco control. Assoc. Prof. Baška is the Slovak representative in a number of international organizations which deal with smoking. He

t h e m . r .

Š t e F á n i K p r i z e

a n a W a r d b y

t h e W o r l d

h e a l t h

o r G a n i z a t i o n

( W h o )

“while we Teach, we learn.”

Seneca

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has led a number of representative studies on the prevalence of smoking in Slovakia for the WHO and has published specialized literature on the subject.

Comenius University featured in the nineteenth annual S c i e n t i s t o f t h e Y e a r p r i z e , which is organized by the Slovak Centre of Scientif ic and Technical Information. Prof. Tibor Hianik from the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics received an award in the category of Personality of the Year in EU Programmes for his signif icant contribution and results in the area of developing biosensors designed for the diagnosis of prion diseases and the monitoring of food quality and contamination and environmental pollution; his work was made possible through EU programmes.

T h e Y o u n g S c i e n t i s t o f t h e Y e a r award was won by Assoc. Prof. Tomáš Plecenik, also from the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, for his exceptional r e s e a r c h and publication activity in the physics of solid materials connected with the use of nanotechnologies in sensorics, biomaterials and super-conductive materials.

h u m a n r e s o u r c e s d e v e l o p m e n tThe training and support of young s c i e n t i s t s is essential to the further direction of s c i e n t i f i c r e s e a r c h at any research institution. Every year the university supports young researchers through specially designed grants. In 2015 a total of € 2 5 5 , 4 9 0 was used in such grants to support 2 6 9 p r o j e c t s .

In terms of human resources, Comenius University remains one of the largest employers in Slovakia. This was once again confirmed in 2015, with the university recording a total of 4 , 4 3 9 e m p l o y e e s . Most employees are teachers and r e s e a r c h w o r k e r s ( 2 , 4 4 2 ) . On average there is a total of eleven students for every teacher.

In 2015 the university witnessed the habilitation o f f o r t y - t h r e e a s s o c i a t e p r o f e s s o r s and the inauguration of e i g h t e e n p r o f e s s o r s . In that year the university had a total of 2 9 4 p r o f e s s o r s . However, their age structure indicates a signif icant need for the university to develop its human resources in this area.

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1—Awards of distinction.2—3—The awarded students Mgr. Zuzana Illýová from the Faculty of Adriána Furdová and Adriána Furdová from the Faculty of Medicine.

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Comenius University has also established itself in the European Higher Education Area as a sought after and respected partner in terms of i n t e r n a t i o n a l a c a d e m i c m o b i l i t y , with an increasing number of students and teachers taking part in Erasmus, CEEPUS, Leonard da Vinci, Aktion Österreich-Slowakei, and other programmes. As a part of academic mobility, in 2015 the university sent 710 students and seventy-five teachers to universities and research centres abroad and accepted 449 students and 105 teachers within the abovementioned programmes.

The university’s international standing has also been strengthened by m e m b e r s h i p i n s i g n i f i c a n t a c a d e m i c o r g a n i z a t i o n s . In 2015 the university was an active member of the European University Association (EUA), the Network of Universities

i n t e r n at i o n a l r e l at i o n s

as an elite educational and scientific research organization, comenius university maintains and develops its international relationships on both a bilateral and multilateral level. it promptly reacts to educational trends in europe and focuses on the challenge of expanding its sphere of influence outside of europe as well.

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from the Capitals of Europe, the Utrecht Network, the Danube Rectors’ Conference, the European Network Information System, the European Association of International Education, and the CEI (Central European Initiative) University Network. The university also became a member of the ASEAN European Academic University Network (ASEA-UNINET) and Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie.

One of the signif icant events in this f ield was the meeting of representatives of ASEA-UNINET members from Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar at the University of Vienna and at Comenius University in Bratislava, which included a two-day excursion around Slovakia.

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in 2015 the university welcomed 2 , 3 3 8 students from abroad from more than seventy countries. despite a decrease in numbers from last year, international students make up 9 . 3 % of all students at the university and 2 3 . 3 % of all international students at slovak tertiary institutions.

Comenius University representatives regularly take part in international fora which are organized by European bodies dealing with ensuring the quality of education, science and research. In 2015 the tenth European Quality Assurance Forum was held in London and was organized by the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education, the European Students’ Union, the EUA, and the European Association of Institutions in Higher Education.

Comenius University hosted a working meeting of the EUA’s Council for Doctoral Education on the theme of " C a p a c i t y B u i l d i n g — D e v e l o p i n g R e s e a r c h f o r D o c t o r a l E d u c a t i o n " . This meeting dealt with the development of quality r e s e a r c h , which is a core requirement in doctoral studies, and how a quality doctoral education is an essential factor in developing r e s e a r c h capacities. An area of vigorous debate included European trends, institutional capacity and the f inancing of development. The meeting was attended by twenty-two representatives from Belgium, Lithuania, Ukraine, Germany, Croatia, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

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Information and communications technology services at CU are covered by f o r t y - t h r e e i n f o r m a t i o n s y s t e m s . Their operation, compatibility, security, development and innovation of software and hardware components as well as the cooperation of all relevant centres is provided by the university’s I n f o r m a t i o n T e c h n o l o g y C e n t r e .

The university’s B o t a n i c a l G a r d e n is a unique r e s e a r c h a n d e d u c a t i o n a l centre that was established in 1942. Collections of plants in the garden are regularly maintained and expanded, and the area is used for educational and r e s e a r c h activities. The garden is open to the public from April to October, and a number of attractive events are organized there, including the Rock Garden Exhibition, the Cactus Spring, summer concerts and the Fruits of Autumn.

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With thirteen faculties and more than twenty other pedagogical, research and other centres and facilities, as well as 4,439 employees, 25,349 students and 3,135 attendees of lifelong education courses, comenius university (CU) has maintained its position as the most prominent educational institution in slovakia. this involves certain specific requirements and a high level of demand on infrastructure.

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T h e C U A r c h i v e is a specialized centre with more than fif ty years of history. The archive collects, registers, preserves, and makes available documents dealing with CU and education in Slovakia which are deemed to be a part of the nation’s cultural heritage. The archive also contains two jewels: two diplomas from 1775 and 1927 which have been specially registered by the Ministry of the Interior. A research room is available for consulting archive material.

I n 2 0 15 T h e C U A c a d e m i c L i b r a r y offered its services to 19 thousand users, most of whom are students of the university. In addition to its online catalogue of faculty libraries, which has more than half a billion titles on record, the academic library maintains a database of publications by university employees. The library’s collections are expanded b y 5 0 t o 6 0 t h o u s a n d n e w i t e m s every year. The library has a total of 1 . 4 m i l l i o n

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N a š a u n i v e r z i t a , the oldest student magazine in slovakia, celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2015

i t e m s i n i t s c o l l e c t i o n s . The automated loans service in the academic library’s online catalogue, which has been in operation for ten years, has been used by 7 0 t h o u s a n d l i b r a r y u s e r s to date. In 2015 the library prepared and made available the Information and Media Literacy portal h t t p : / / m i d a s . u n i b a . s k , where it is possible to get information on matters such as how to avoid plagiarism, how to correctly cite sources, and how to f ind relevant information. The CU portal won the 2 0 15 S a k a č i k A w a r d from the Slovak Library Association for the most active deed of the year.

In addition to its rich spectrum of scholarly journals, the u n i v e r s i t y p u b l i s h e s the N a š a u n i v e r z i t a ( O u r U n i v e r s i t y ) magazine. Having been published since September 1955, it is the oldest university magazine in Slovakia. In 2015 the magazine celebrated its sixtieth anniversary. It is a monthly publication which is rich in content; it is published ten times a year on a monthly basis (with the exception of July and August) with a run of 3 , 2 0 0 copies, and it features a bonus issue. Over the years, 6 2 5 issues have been published. It is also available in electronic format on the university’s website.

CU has a n o n - i n v e s t m e n t f u n d which aims to support the university’s development programmes, create the necessary conditions for presenting and promoting the university’s goals, improve the social recognition of the work that university teaching staff do, and support exceptionally talented students.

The university has the largest a c c o m m o d a t i o n a n d c a t e r i n g f a c i l i t i e s for students in the country. In 2015 it provided accommodation in its own facilities to one third of its students, and 2 , 2 8 3 , 9 4 6 main meals were served in the student canteens. In 2015 the renovation of the couples’ dormitories was completed at the Ľudovít Štúr Campus-Mlyny. The complete renovation of the dormitory building has brought about an increase in accommodation capacity of thirty-two single rooms. The student accommodation facilities include medical centres where general and specialized medical care is provided.

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The university has a s u p p o r t c e n t r e f o r s t u d e n t s w i t h s p e c i a l n e e d s . This centre provides information, advice, support services and educational activities for current students and study applicants who have special needs as well as for teachers and the wider public. The centre is based at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, and there are special-needs coordinators at every other faculty.

Since 1968 CU has operated a p s y c h o l o g i c a l c o n s u l t a n c y for students. In addition to individual consultations, the consultancy offers couple and group therapy as well as themed training sessions and courses.

The i n f o r m a t i o n c e n t r e provides advice and support concerning studies. In addition, it offers a range of university merchandise for purchase. Over 2015 the staff of the information centre answered over 2 , 5 0 0 questions from current and potential students as well as the wider public.

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1—2—The renovated and modern CU dormitories.3—The Gymnik Folk Ensemble.4—5—The Information Centre provides information and a variety of useful products featuring the CU logo.6—7—The sporting activities of students are supported by specialized sports premises.

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The large number of students at the university guarantees a rich student experience. Each faculty has various s t u d e n t o r g a n i z a t i o n s catering to particular interests; some of them, such as AIESEC and the European Law Students' Association, have a strong international backing. The university’s own f o l k e n s e m b l e Gymnik (which is based at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport), the Comenius Choir, and the Collegium Musicum Comeniana chamber music ensemble from the Faculty of Education perform at the university’s ceremonial events. Faculties also have s p o r t s c l u b s which represent the university at academic sports tournaments. In 2015 the university’s rowing team was once again f i r s t i n t h e U n i v e r s i t y R e g a t t a B r a t i s l a v a and kept its hold on the regatta trophy, which was designed by academic sculptor Milan Lukáč.

M e d i a s e r v i c e s and communication with the public are carried out by the university’s Department of Public Relations Those interested in information about the university, news, events, awards, and similar matters can consult the university’s website w w w . u n i b a . s k , the university’s Facebook page w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / C o m e n i u s . U n i v e r s i t y , and the university’s Y o u T u b e channel.

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1—The CU rowing team repeated its victory in the University Regatta Bratislava for the third consecutive year.2—The regatta challenge trophy for the champion of the University Regatta Bratislava made by the sculptor Milan Lukáč.

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www.facebook.com/Comenius.University

c o m e n i u s u n i v e r s i t y i n b r a t i s l a v a

Address : Šafárikovo nám. 6, 814 99 Bratislava, Slovakia, 2016E-mail, web : kr@rec.uniba.sk, www.uniba.skTel. : +421 2 529 21 594, +421 2 592 44 141FB : www.facebook.com/Comenius.University

Compiled by : Assoc. Prof. Mgr. Vincent Múcska, Ph.D., Ing. Jana Jirsáková, Mgr. Eva Šefcová, Ph.D., Mgr. Monika Viskupová, Ph.D.Translation : Mgr. John Peter Butler Barrer, Ph.D.Photography : Vladimír Kuric, Archive CU, PR Off ice RCUGraphics : Štefan Seko & Anna Oravcová, base@silhouette.skPrinting : Base et Silhouette, s. r. o.Circulation : 400 copies

This publication has been supported by Comenius University´s non-investment fund Univerzita Komenského n.f.

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