Masaryk University celebrated its annual Dies academicus,
a traditional academic ceremony which honours individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of science, education, culture, and civil society. The ceremony took place on 21 May 2026 in the Karel Engliš Grand Auditorium in Brno, attended by university leadership, the academic community, and guests from the public. As part of the programme, the Rector presented Awards and MU medals, with one of the gold medals going to Professor Václav Suchý, a longtime member of the Faculty of Pharmacy.
On this occasion, the Rector of Masaryk University Martin Bareš honoured a number of prominent figures associated with the university and the broader public sphere. Among this year’s recipients of the Masaryk University Gold Medal was Prof. RNDr. Václav Suchý, DrSc., dr. h. c., Professor Emeritus at the Faculty of Pharmacy and a leading figure in the pharmaceutical field in Czechia.
Professor Suchý is a graduate of Pharmacy and has dedicated decades to the development of pharmaceutical education and scientific research. Following the reestablishment of the Faculty of Pharmacy in Brno, he played a pivotal role in its development and modernization, first as dean and later as rector of (then) the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences. His professional work focused primarily on pharmacognosy, the isolation and identification of biologically active plant substances, and research on tissue cultures of higher plants.
In addition to his scientific work, Professor Suchý was a respected educator for many years. Even in recent years, he actively participated in teaching future pharmacists in the courses Introduction to Scientific Work and Pharmacognosy. Colleagues and students have long associated him with an emphasis on professional excellence, openness to new trends, and the ability to combine scientific precision with pedagogical experience.
Professor Suchý received the MU Gold Medal for his long-term contribution to the development of the fields taught at Masaryk University and for strengthening the university’s standing at both the national and international level. The award also symbolically commemorates his lifelong work and contribution to the pharmaceutical field in the Czech Republic, as well as the academic community.
The Dies Academicus traditionally serves as a reminder that the university is not merely a place of teaching and research, but also a space for values, responsibility, and inspiration. This year’s event underscored this point particularly strongly—through the contributions of individuals who have long shaped both academic and social life through their work.
We would like to congratulate Professor Suchý for this well-deserved honour and thank him for everything he has done for (not only) our faculty!
Gregor Johann Mendel, the founder of modern genetics and famous abbot from Brno, is best known for his experiments with peas. However, new research reveals a little-known fact: Mendel ordered cannabis seeds and was able to grow them in the monastery’s greenhouse. Jakub Treml, the Vice Dean for External Relations, Strategy, and Development, has published a very interesting article on this topic, which you can now read as well.
We are proud to share that our PhD student, Mgr. Ahmet Davut Aksu, MSc, was invited by the University of Costa Rica to deliver a specialized training on the use of isolated heart (Langendorff) system and share his research on novel antiarrhythmic compounds.
