Masaryk University
Masaryk University, Czech Republic
Established in 1919, with almost 37 000 students and approximately 1300 fields of study, Masaryk University is a dynamic, modern, student and research-orientated university based in Brno, Czech Republic.
In addition to its systematic emphasis on internationalisation of the curriculum, research with international partners, expansion of inbound and outbound mobility and hiring of international staff and lecturers, Masarysk University is also a core member of the EDUC alliance. This comprehensive focus on internationalisation underpins the MUNI HELPS centre, originally established in response to COVID-19. During the pandemic, MUNI HELPS coordinated volunteer work at hospitals, on crisis hotlines and in nursing homes, but also focused on everyday needs like childcare and tutoring children, helping people with shopping, and delivering medicine and masks. More recently, when the Russian government invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, the centre pivoted to focus on helping Ukrainian refugees by disseminating information about vacancies for Ukrainians and scholarships for Ukrainian students, as well as interpreting services and a crisis hotline for psychological assistance.
Masaryk University received the 2022 EAIE Award for Excellence in Internationalisation for the work done by its MUNI HELPS volunteer centre.