Historical and regional links

Palacky University in Olomouc, previously called Olomouc Universty was established in 1573 (www.upol.cz). It is the second oldest university in the Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia regions, and historically it served the needs of the Olomouc Archdiocese. Palacky University currently has eight faculties: the Saints Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theology and the Faculties of Medicine and Dentistry, Philosophy, Science, Education, Physical Culture, Law and the recently-established Faculty of Health Sciences. The total number of students is close to 20,000. The University has substantial, long-established expertise in education and biomedical sciences, and several people who were born, educated and/or worked in the region have made profound contributions to these disciplines.

Some of the most eminent people from our region


John Amos Comenius (Mar. 28th, 1592 - Nov. 15th, 1670) "One of the earliest champions of universal education."	Vincenz Priessnitz (Oct. 4th, 1799 - Nov. 28th, 1851) "Founder of hydrotherapy, Jesenik Spa, and promoter of natural cures."	Gregor Johann Mendel (July 20th, 1822 - Jan. 6th, 1884) "Father of genetics"


Sigmund Freud (May 6th, 1856 - Sept. 23rd, 1939) "Founder of the psychoanalytical school of psychology."	Eduard Konrad Zirm (Mar. 18th 1863 - Mar. 5th. 1944) "In 1905 performed the first successful corneal transplant, in Olomouc, and laid key foundations of transplantation procedures."	Otto Wichterle (Oct. 27th, 1913 - Aug. 18th, 1998) "Chemist who developed the contact lens."


František Šantavý (Apr. 23rd, 1915 - Mar. 27th, 1983) "Studied natural compounds and discovered several important plant alkaloids."	Jiří Bártek (Oct. 24th, 1953) "The most cited Czech scientist, he is working in the field of cancer research."