3 – 7. 11. 2025
Innovation in motion: Redefining campuses, connections and collaboration
Brno, Czech Republic
Why IW?
The International Week will give participants an unique opportunity to find out more about our university, network and share best practices with other colleagues working for the international, study abroad offices or professional academics. Join us at Mendel University in Brno for an inspiring International Staff Week focused on innovation in higher education. This year's theme explores how universities can redefine their campuses, enhance institutional connections, and foster meaningful collaboration across borders. This edition will also spotlight innovative mobility formats, such as blended and short-term staff exchanges, virtual collaboration projects, and interdisciplinary job shadowing opportunities. The program will offer tailored sessions for both academic and non-academic staff. Participants will also benefit from networking opportunities, cultural activities, and the exchange of best practices in a vibrant international environment.
Innovation in motion
Short-term staff exchanges
Innovation in higher education
Non-academic staff engagement
Virtual collaboration projects
Best practice exchange
Information
- Target Group both academic and non-academic staff of different fields of study
- Language English (at least level B2 is required)
- Duration 5 working days (3. – 7. 11. 2025)
- Costs The fee will cover the programme, participants are expected to cover their travel and accommodation costs and field trips (it is recommended to use an Erasmus+ grant provided by your home university)
University
Mendel University in Brno (MENDELU) is a public institution with a long tradition of excellence in teaching and research that has driven new ways of thinking since 1919 and proudly bears the name of J. G. Mendel, the founder of modern genetics. There are over 8,300 students at the university. Mendel University offers more than 100 graduate degree programs in Czech and English. The University comprises one Institute and five faculties: AgriSciences, Horticulture, Business and Economics, Forestry and Wood Technology, Regional Development, and International Studies. The university campus is based in Brno, just ten minutes from the city centre. The university provides students modern, well-equipped classrooms, laboratories, and study rooms. A library, canteens, and a pizzeria also form part of the campus, as well as a large botanic garden and an arboretum, which are great places to study or relax.
Programme
Monday
| Time | Agenda (3. 11. 2025) | meeting point |
|---|---|---|
| 13:00 | Registration | Design lab |
| 13:30 | Opening ceremony Welcome speech and introduction to the programme of International Week 2025 | Design lab |
| 13:40 | Panel discussion: Innovation in Motion: Redefining Campuses, Connections and Collaboration Speakers: Mgr. Lukáš Kala, Ph.D., Ing. Ivona Marková, PhDr. Jiří Nesiba, Ph.D. | Design lab |
| 15:00 | Networking coffee – Meet & Connect | Design lab |
| 16:00 | Brno city tour | – |
| all day | Lectures & Individual meetings at particular departments (throughout the day) | – |
Tuesday
| Time | Agenda (4. 11. 2025) | meeting point |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 | Day at the Faculty of AgriSciences Visit to FoodTech, the Fishing department and greenhouses | room M 1.09 in building M (Mendel´s pavilion) |
| 11-12:30 | Free time for lunch | – |
| 12:30 | Day at the Faculty of Business and Economics: Coffee with the dean | meeting room in building Q (ground floor) |
| 13:30 | Workshop: Innovation in action: A game-based approach in management Leader: Ing. Peter Mikuš This interactive workshop combines a short lecture with an experiential game that brings innovation in project and production management to life. Participants will actively explore how change happens, why it can be challenging, and how to teach or manage it effectively. The modular simulation offers insights for both educators and administrators—demonstrating how play can drive learning, reflection, and real innovation in practice. | meeting room in building Q (ground floor) |
| 18:00 | International Market – with international students | building X (Canteen) |
| all day | Lectures & Individual meetings at particular departments (throughout the day) |
Wednesday
| Time | Agenda (5. 11. 2025) | meeting point |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 | Trip to Chateau Valtice & Day with Horticulture faculty The trip features a 45-minute visit to Chateau Valtice, followed by a stop at the Horticulture Faculty. Here, you’ll enjoy a wine tasting of products made at MENDELU. Please note that lunch and shops will not be available, so make sure to bring some snacks. We will return to Brno around 2-3 PM. | meeting in front of building A (Rectorate) |
| all day | Those who are not attending the field trip can join Ph.D. Student Conference MendelNet at the Faculty of AgriScience. MendelNet is an interdisciplinary student conference that provides a unique platform for students and their mentors to meet and collaborate across fields primarily related to agricultural sciences. The main goal of the conference is to actively present specific research topics, share knowledge, and exchange experiences among participants from various disciplines. | building C |
| all day | Lectures & Individual meetings at particular departments (throughout the day) | – |
Thursday
| Time | Agenda (6. 11. 2025) | meeting point |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 | Day at the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology Workshop: Innovation mobilities within Erasmus Forestery Network Leader: Ing David Sís | building B – Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology |
| Free time for lunch | – | |
| 13:20 | Campus tour | meeting in front of building Q |
| 14:00 | Day at Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies Sharing session and Workshop: Sustainability at universities – part 1 Leader: Mgr. Lenka Zouhar Ludvíková, Ph.D. All institutions care about being sustainable, and universities are no different. The sharing session will include a tour around our faculty building and an introduction of what we do and how. And because sharing is caring, we hope to hear from you, too. If you bring photos to illustrate what you do and how, everybody will appreciate that. After a coffee break with the dean, we will discuss project opportunities and show a pilot version of a gamified tool we have developed together with our partners for teaching about environment. | room Z2: building Z – Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies tř. Gen. Píky 2005/7 Google Maps |
| 15:00 | Coffee break | room Z2: building Z |
| 15:30 | Sharing session and Workshop: Sustainability at universities – part 2 Leader: Mgr. Lenka Zouhar Ludvíková, Ph.D. | room Z2: building Z |
| 16:30 | Closing ceremony and Farewell dinner | building Z – S Klub |
| all day | Lectures & Individual meetings at particular departments (throughout the day) | – |
Friday
| Time | Agenda (7. 11. 2025) | meeting point |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 | Water Tanks Brno – optional, self-paid (additional 350CZK) Visiting the Brno Water Tanks is like stepping into a hidden underground cathedral—three astonishing tanks from 1874–1917 offer a surreal, otherworldly experience beneath a peaceful park. With striking industrial architecture and unique acoustics, it’s not just a history lesson but an unforgettable sensory adventure that’s absolutely worth seeing. See more info here. | Tvrdého 15, 602 00 Staré Brno Google Maps |
| all day | Lectures & Individual meetings at particular departments (throughout the day) | – |
Registration
Would you like to attend our event? The deadline for registration is September 15, 2025. Once you register, we will contact you within 2 weeks and send you an Invitation letter.
Price list
IW
Attending only the International Week 2025
- Networking activities & Workshops, Transfer of knowledge
- Sharing of experiences and best practices among colleagues from partner and non-partner institutions
- Cultural activities
- Individual meetings with representatives of the particular departments and discussion on cooperation possibilities
- The fee is approx. 80 EUR, the payment is made in Czech Crowns – 2000 CZK (not including the field trip)
Field trip
On Wednesday, participants can join us for a field trip.
- Visit to Lednice Chateau (UNESCO Heritage Site)
Explore the stunning Lednice Castle, one of the most beautiful examples of Romantic architecture in Europe, located in the heart of South Moravia. We will enjoy a guided tour inside the chateau, where you’ll see richly decorated interiors and learn about the history of the Liechtenstein family. - Tour of the Faculty of Horticulture – MENDELU
Discover the beautiful campus of our Faculty of Horticulture in Lednice. You’ll see experimental gardens, greenhouses, and research areas, and get insight into current academic and practical work in horticulture. - Wine Tasting Experience
- The fee is approx. 20 EUR, the payment is made in Czech Crowns – 500 CZK (not including the IW fee)
- Payment Info – https://pay.flywire.com/: select Mendel University as the institution from the list, then enter your payment amount (according to the selected type!) in Czech coronas to the third column – Participation fee, and country of origin in the Flywire form.
– IW only: 2000 CZK
– IW + field trip: 2500 CZK - Payment method – select your preferred payment method to complete your payment in your home currency. For debit/credit card payments, enter your card details online to complete your payment in your home currency. For bank transfers, follow the instructions provided to send your funds. Depending on your bank, payment may be made online, in person, or over the phone.
Note: Additional local payment options may be available depending on the country you are paying from. - Payer Info – enter some basic information to initiate your payment booking.
- Info for the receiver – enter only your name, surname, and email and as the Program name write International Week
- Review & Confirm payment information
- Make payment
Deadline for payment: September 30, 2025
Refund Policy for International Week 2025
Please note the following refund policy for any cancellations:
- Full Refund (85 EUR + 40 EUR field trip): Cancellations made by October 3, 2025 will receive a full refund.
- Partial Refund (50% of total fee): Cancellations made between October 4 and October 14, 2025 will receive a 50% refund of the total fees.
- No Refund: Cancellations made on or after October 15, 2025 will not be eligible for a refund.
All refund requests should be submitted in writing by the deadlines outlined above. Thank you for your understanding.
Accommodation
We recommend the following:
- Hotel Continental 4* - use MENDELU as a reference to get a discount www.continentalbrno.cz
- Hotel Passage 4*- walking distance 10 minutes, use MENDELU as a reference in order to get a discount https://www.hotelpassage.eu/
- Cafe Placzek – write an email to cafe@cafeplaczek.cz and use Mrs Mensikova as a reference in order to get a discount www.cafeplaczek.cz
- Hotel Arte 4* – walking distance 10 minutes, www.hotelarte.cz
- Hotel International 4* - not within walking distance, about 30 minutes by public transport, city centre, www.hotelinternational.cz
- Barceló Brno Palace 5* - not within walking distance, about 30 minutes by public transport, city centre, www.barcelo.com (please contact brnopalace.res@barcelo.com)
- University dormitories – https://skm.mendelu.cz/en
For Mobility Agreements, please use the following information:
Consent to the capture and use of personal photographs and videos – to download
Contact
Mendel University in Brno
Zemědělská 1665/1, 61300 Brno
IČO: 62156489
DIČ: CZ62156489
DIČ: CZ62156489