UHK honours members of its community for outstanding achievements and long-standing contributions and shows support for public service media

This year’s UHK social evening took place in the Soňa Červená Hall of the Hradec Králové Philharmonic on 11 November 2026. The gathering of the academic community, partners, friends and supporters of the University also provided an occasion to remember UHK’s recently lost Rector, Jan Kříž. The awards recognised not only the outstanding achievements of individuals, but also the values that have long underpinned the University’s work, quality education, scientific knowledge, international cooperation, civic responsibility and the development of university facilities. 

Rector’s Medal

Czech Television and Czech Radio 

Czech Television and Czech Radio are major pillars of public service media in the Czech Republic. Through independent journalism, educational and cultural programmes, and news coverage, they contribute to informed public debate, the development of civil society and the protection of democratic values. 

The UHK Rector’s Medal was accepted on behalf of Czech Television by its Director General, Hynek Chudárek, and on behalf of Czech Radio by Jiří Kánský, Director of Czech Radio Hradec Králové and Pardubice. Czech Radio’s Director General, René Zavoral, sent his greetings to those gathered in the hall through an audio recording. 

She adds: “In a ‘post-truth’ era, public service media play an indispensable role in countering disinformation, manipulation and pressures that undermine public trust in democratic institutions, scientific knowledge and the very value of verifiable facts. The UHK Rector’s Medal affirms our commitment to the values that we, as the University of Hradec Králové, uphold together with Czech Television and Czech Radio, and that unite us, freedom, independence, responsibility, openness and public service.

Distinguished Alumni Award

RNDr. Bc. Jan Mach 

is a graduate of UHK’s Faculty of Informatics and Management and director of Náchod Regional Hospital. He studied teacher education in physics and geography at the University of Ostrava and later broadened his education by studying financial management at UHK. He has been part of the hospital’s management for more than ten years, including almost seven years as its director. His career brings together experience in education, management and healthcare.

Nominated for his long-standing cooperation with the University of Hradec Králové and his significant contribution to connecting academia with healthcare practice. He played a key role in preparing and launching the new General Nursing degree programme at UHK’s Faculty of Science. 

Rector’s Award for Teaching, Long-standing Contributions to Education or Educational Innovation 

doc. PaedDr. Martina Maněnová, Ph.D. 

has worked at UHK’s Faculty of Education since 1997. She is the academic lead for the master’s programme in primary school teacher education and the doctoral programme in digital technologies in primary and pre-primary education, which she also helped establish. Her expertise lies in primary education, computing education and digital literacy. She actively contributes to the revision of the national curriculum and has long combined her academic work with classroom teaching at a primary school. 

Nominated for almost thirty years of outstanding contributions to the education of future teachers at UHK’s Faculty of Education. Through her expertise, teaching approach and active involvement in changes to the Czech education system, she has significantly shaped teacher education. She is a respected expert who has long supported the professional development of students, graduates and academic colleagues.

doc. PhDr. Michal Musílek, Ph.D. 

works at UHK’s Faculty of Science, where he currently leads the Institute of Health Studies. He studied teacher education in mathematics and physics at UHK and completed his habilitation in Information and Communication Technologies in Education. He has worked at the University since 2007 and, as Vice-Dean, played an important part in developing the Faculty of Science following its establishment in 2010. He previously headed the Centre for Subject Didactics and has long been committed to supporting mathematics and science education

Nominated for his outstanding, long-standing contribution to education at UHK’s Faculty of Science, particularly the development of degree programmes and his pivotal role in establishing the Institute of Health Studies. He also makes an important contribution to mathematics education and the development of talented pupils through the conference Ani jeden matematický talent nazmar (No Mathematical Talent Left Behind).

Rector’s Award for Research

doc. Mgr. Ladislav Koreň, Ph.D. 

works in the Department of Philosophy and Social Sciences at UHK’s Philosophical faculty and also directs the interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Language, Mind and Society. He studied philosophy at the University of Vienna and Charles University and has held positions at institutions including Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.

Nominated for his outstanding research achievements and long-standing contribution to the development of world-class philosophical research. He has recently published in prestigious international journals and contributed to scholarly publications from Oxford University Press and Routledge. Since 2025, he has led the Philosophical faculty ’s involvement in the major research project Vědění ve věku nedůvěry (Knowledge in an Age of Distrust), supported by OP JAK.

doc. PhDr. Mgr. Petr Šída, Ph.D., DSc. 

works in the Department of Archaeology at UHK’s Philosophical faculty. He studied archaeology, geology and ethnology at Charles University. His research focuses on prehistoric hunter-gatherer societies, landscape development and the relationship between people and the natural environment. He has long been involved in archaeological research in the Bohemian Paradise region, combining archaeology with geology, palaeoecology and other natural sciences. He is one of the Czech Republic’s leading experts in Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and environmental archaeology. 

Nominated for his outstanding scholarly contribution to our understanding of prehistoric societies and landscape development. He has co-authored major international studies published in journals including Current Biology and Quaternary International. In 2026, he and Petr Pokorný received the Magnesia Litera award for non-fiction for their book Hinterland: Archeologie severočeských pískovcových krajin (Hinterland: The Archaeology of North Bohemian Sandstone Landscapes).

Ing. Jan Hladěna 

is a doctoral student in Applied Informatics at UHK’s Faculty of Informatics and Management, where he researches artificial intelligence and advanced machine learning methods. He has taught computing at Pardubice Conservatoire since 2015 and also works in information systems administration and IT consultancy.

Nominated for his excellent achievements in applied artificial intelligence research and his ability to put advanced technologies into practice. He has contributed to the development of an intelligent system for managing corporate documents, research into transport optimisation and the automated analysis of microscopic images for pharmaceutical applications. He has published his research as lead author in the prestigious journal Phytochemistry Reviews. 

Rector’s Award for Contributions to Civil Society or Enhancing UHK’s Reputation 

doc. Ing. Martina Pásková, Ph.D. 

works in the Department of Recreation and Tourism at UHK’s Faculty of Informatics and Management. Her expertise focuses on sustainable tourism, geotourism and the protection of natural and cultural heritage. She chairs the Ministry of the Environment’s National Geoparks Council and is a member of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council. Her work combines scientific research with support for local communities and a responsible approach to the natural environment.

Nominated for her outstanding contribution to international cooperation, education and sustainable development through the 4GEON project, which brings together schools, experts and local communities across four continents under the auspices of UNESCO. Coordinated by UHK, the project has enabled thousands of children to discover their regions’ geological heritage and has also involved Indigenous communities in its educational activities.

Rector’s Award for Outstanding Artistic or Sporting Achievement

Michaela Čepová 

is a student at UHK’s Faculty of Education, where she is training to teach chemistry and physical education at secondary schools. Alongside her demanding studies, she competes at elite level in two sports. She is one of the Czech Republic’s leading female squash players and has finished runner-up in the Czech National Championships and won the international PSA Brno Open tournament. In recent years, she has also achieved success in athletics, particularly distance running. 

Nominated for her outstanding sporting achievements and her success in combining elite sport with university studies. In 2025, she was the fastest Czech woman at the Prague Half Marathon, and in 2026 she won a bronze medal in the 1,500 metres at the Czech University Indoor Athletics Championships. She represents UHK with distinction. 

Kateřina Holubcová 

is a student of Economics and Management at UHK’s Faculty of Informatics and Management and an accomplished Czech athlete. She specialises in the 100-metre and 400-metre hurdles and currently represents TJ Sokol Hradec Králové. She is a member of the Czech national athletics team and participates in the UNIS programme, which supports elite athletes in their university studies. Alongside her sporting achievements, she also maintains an excellent academic record. 

Nominated for her outstanding sporting performances and exemplary ability to combine elite sport with her studies. She won a bronze medal at the Czech Under-22 Championships and has also won medals at the Czech University Championships. Despite her demanding training schedule, she is among the top students on her programme and receives an academic merit scholarship. 

Rector’s Award for Internationalisation

Eva Pospíchalová 

works in the Dean’s Office at UHK’s Faculty of Informatics and Management as an international mobility coordinator. She has long provided administrative and practical support to international students and teaching staff, helping them navigate university life and everyday life in the Czech Republic. She also helps organise international education programmes and intensive courses focused on intercultural communication and the use of artificial intelligence in education. 

Nominated for the exceptional care, dedication and understanding she brings to supporting international students and for her long-standing contribution to internationalisation at UHK’s Faculty of Informatics and Management. She plays a major role in organising international intensive courses and, over the past year, managed the complex arrangements for an Erasmus+ study stay for a student from Cyprus with a visual impairment. 

Bc. Josef Ležák 

A graduate of the Department of Political Science at UHK’s Philosophical faculty, Josef Ležák now works at the faculty to develop international cooperation. His own Erasmus study stays in Estonia and Hungary played a decisive role in shaping his interest in internationalisation. He has long been involved in developing international partnerships, preparing international projects and organising educational and cultural activities for international students. He represents the University on visits across Europe, Latin America and Africa. 

Nominated for his outstanding contribution to internationalisation at UHK’s Philosophical faculty, particularly the preparation of the University’s first double degree programmes, the development of international project consortia and his long-standing support for international students and academic staff. His work significantly strengthens UHK’s international standing. 

Rector’s Award for the Development of University Facilities, Services or Support Functions

Jana Rubáčková 

has worked in the Dean’s Office at UHK’s Faculty of Informatics and Management since 1998. As a long-serving assistant to successive deans, she provides organisational and administrative support to the faculty’s management and helps handle its day-to-day communications. With her experience, reliability and exceptional knowledge of the faculty, she is a valued member of its staff and helps ensure its smooth operation, including during periods of organisational change.

Nominated for almost thirty years of dedicated service, exceptional professionalism and a long-standing contribution to the operation of UHK’s Faculty of Informatics and Management. Her attention to detail, initiative, helpfulness and willingness to go beyond her duties make an important contribution to a welcoming environment at the faculty. 

Miloš Němeček 

Miloš Němeček has worked in technical operations and maintenance at the University of Hradec Králové since 2010. Over more than fifteen years, he has become an indispensable member of the team responsible for the day-to-day operation of the University’s buildings and technical facilities. He is known for his versatility, expertise, willingness to help and ability to resolve a wide range of technical problems quickly and effectively.

Nominated for his outstanding, long-standing contribution to the smooth operation of the University’s technical facilities, his reliability and his prompt response to operational issues. Through his dedication, practical skills and positive approach, he contributes every day to providing high-quality facilities for UHK students and staff. 

This social evening would not be possible without the support of our partners:

• Česká spořitelna
• Elektrárny Opatovice
• Kampus
• Mixa Vending
• Aricoma 
• Na větvi
• Tepelné hospodářství Hradec Králové 
• Respect Group
• Smart Media Solutions 
• Energy Benefit Centre 
• Gist 
• Magion 
• Masák & Partner 
• Pemi servis 
• Staver Luže 
• Vatack