Palacký University Olomouc (UPOL) is a university with long-standing tradition. Founded in the 16th century (1573), it is the oldest university in Moravia region and the second-oldest university in the Czech Republic.
Today it is a modern higher education facility with a wide range of study programmes and copious scientific and research activities. More than 24 000 students are enrolled at its 8 faculties, which offer over 300 Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral study programmes. It has nearly 300 ERASMUS+ partner institutions in 27 European countries and more than 55 university bilateral agreements worldwide. It is one of the best Czech universities, and has been listed in the prestigious international Times Higher Education World University Rankings as one of the 800 most respected universities globally.
In recent years, it opened several top research institutes, including Haná Regional Centre for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, the Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, new Research and Educational Centre of the Faculty of Education and the BALUO Application Centre, focusing on research in the area of sport science that belongs to the Faculty of Physical Culture.
Concerning the Sport for Development issues, UPOL and its SDP collaborative team represented by scholars from the Faculty of Physical Culture and the Faculty of Science (Department of Development & Environmental Studies) is the leading Czech academic organisation in the field of education and research. The researchers have taken part in international research and educational projects and regularly publish in international journals and books.
