Masaryk University
Masarykova univerzita | |
| Latin: Universitas Masarykiana Brunensis | |
| Type | Public |
|---|---|
| Established | 1919 |
| Rector | Prof. Martin Bareš |
Academic staff | 2,200 |
Administrative staff | 3,000 |
| Students | 35,115 |
| Location | , 49°11′55″N 16°36′18″E / 49.19861°N 16.60500°E |
| Campus | Urban |
| Colors | Blue |
| Affiliations | EUA Compostela Group Utrecht Network |
| Website | muni.cz |
Masaryk University (MU) (Czech: Masarykova univerzita; Latin: Universitas Masarykiana Brunensis) is the second largest university in the Czech Republic, a member of the Compostela Group and the Utrecht Network. Founded in 1919 in Brno, it now consists of ten faculties and 35,115 students. It is named after Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the first president of an independent Czechoslovakia as well as the leader of the movement for a second Czech university.
In 1960 the university was renamed Jan Evangelista Purkyně University after Jan Evangelista Purkyně, a Czech biologist. In 1990, following the Velvet Revolution it regained its original name. Since 1922, over 171,000 students have graduated from the university.
The Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala has been working part-time at Masaryk University for the entire duration of his mandate. He should therefore devote eight hours a week – thirty-two hours a month – to work for this university. Jan Fischer responded to this as follows: "I also cannot imagine that someone, in addition to his work as Prime Minister, regularly, not just on special occasions, lectures at a university. Learning requires preparation and concentration."