Comenius University News

Spanish student Diego at the dormitories: I improved my cooking skills during Corona

How did you experience the situation of the new pandemic? I was in Prague with some friends when the situation in Slovakia worsened. When I left Bratislava, the situation was normal and we still had classes, but during those 4-5 days outside everything suddenly changed. I received many emails from the University and the Embassy, false information was spreading everywhere. When I returned from Prague, 80% of foreign students and most of my friends had already returned to their countries. We heard a lot of false news that they were going to force us to leave or that we would be forced to stay in quarantine. Many people got scared and left, thinking that they could come back in 2-3 weeks. I decided to stay. Why? In a situation like that one has to think clearly and choose the best option. I knew the best option for me was to stay in Slovakia, since the situation in Spain was incomparably worse. The Government and the University recommended us to stay here to avoid movements within Spain and stop the expansion of COVID-19. Spain was one of the most affected countries by the pandemic. How did you perceive this situation regarding your country? Spain has been very affected by COVID-19 and continues to suffer the consequences. Looking at the situation from the outside, one might think that the measures and the speed with which they were taken were not enough, especially taking the example of Italy. However, I believe that a crisis of this nature is very difficult to predict. Precautions could have been taken before, such as the closing of borders, but in such a large country, passed through by so many foreigners and tourists, it is very difficult to apply this type of measures when there are few cases. I also have to say that the behavior of Spanish society during the state of alarm has been exemplary, and this allowed the situation to considerably improve. How did you manage social distancing at the dormitories? Everything was fine. The situation was quite under control here, and it was allowed to leave the residence, observing the necessary sanitary precautions. In Spain, people had been in their homes for more than a month and a half without being able to leave, so I am sure that my decision to stay here was right. The residence's restaurants were closed so was trying to improve my cooking skills. What was your daily routine in quarantine? This situation radically changed my routine and everyday life. I had more or less similar schedule every day, I studied and relaxed. I got up early to do some sports, then participated in classes, or went to the supermarket, so that I’d get a bit of some fresh air. And in the afternoon, I worked, studied, or did something with the few people from Spain left in the residence. We usually watched movies in the evening. The whole university switched to remote learning. Are you satisfied with the form of online education at your faculty? At first, it was more complicated, but that is natural. Everything happened so suddenly, and it was impossible to be prepared for something like that. Every week the organization improved and now everything works quite well. In most of the subjects, they send us weekly assignments to make sure we keep up with the course. The problem is that studying in this way is more complicated and sometimes it is difficult to keep the same rhythm and have the same motivation as in a normal course. We primarily use MS Teams, do online presentations, we use questionnaires and videoconferences, we do more research work focused on the online search for information, etc. How would you compare online study at the CU with your home university in Vigo, Spain? My friends told me that the system of my University is working quite well. We already had an online platform before. On your screen you can see a virtual university with all the faculties and classrooms, each of them has an entrance code, which the teacher sends to his / her students. They have exams in these days, everything has been working so far and there haven’t been any problems yet. You can that we used regularly, and the change could be made easier. Online study at the CU works well, too. Situation is getting better in the world. What are your plans when the life returns to normal? My idea is to return to Spain at the end of June, as I planned since the beginning of the course. I hope that by that date there will be no problem travelling, the situation will be better, and I will be able to see my family and friends.

Associate Professors and a Professor Qualify for their Titles Online

Inaugural lectures are normally held at meetings of the scientific board of the faculty. Successful candidates then face a defence before the university’s scientific board. The habilitation lecture and thesis defence take place in front of members of the scientific board of the faculty, which then approves proposals for the title of associate professor to be awarded. These processes were held according to the legal and internal regulations of Comenius University with the one change being that the members of the board and the relevant committees met the reviewers and the candidates in a virtual space. Last week, the Faculty of Law completed the process of defence for four associate professors (specializing in administrative law, Roman law, and the theory and history of the state and law) and one professor (specializing in commercial and financial law). The continuous appointment of new associate professors and professors is important for the successful functioning of the university. “If we want to maintain our classic and modern legal departments in the European area under strict standards and thus keep up with European trends, we must constantly strive to improve,” says the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Eduard Burda. From a technical point of view, the priority was to ensure the successful process of online voting, which has to be secret but which also requires registration so that only authorized people can vote and do so once only. Meeting remotely brings many benefits, including the fact that international experts do not have to travel. Thanks to the online format, committee members from the Czech Republic could easily attend these meetings. The dean has praised the time-saving benefits of the new format and the higher participation than is normally seen at these events. “Despite the current relaxation of measures, I think that the best solution in the coming months is to hold meetings in this way. This is also due to the fact that the most experienced experts, who in terms of age are in the most vulnerable group for coronavirus, tend to be committee members,” the dean said. He would like online meetings to become a regular part of university life after the end of the pandemic. “The crisis caused by the novel coronavirus has forced us to improvise and transfer all our processes to an online environment in an extremely short time. Following lectures, tests, state exams, and regular meetings of academic bodies, we have now tried a meeting of the Scientific Board online for the first time,” said the Rector of Comenius University, Marek Števček. “Comenius University has been able to adapt quickly. We will certainly use some of what we have learned online in the future as well. For one thing, the remote presence of international experts at lectures or on scientific boards can significantly enrich our academic work. At present, however, we are mainly preparing to return to normal operations. We are very much looking forward to that, because lectures onsite and face-to-face academic discussion are the basis of university education,” the rector added. Several other remote habilitations and inaugurations are being prepared by the Faculty of Law for July, and this form of evaluation will also be used by their colleagues at the Faculty of Education in June. However, the meetings of the university’s Scientific Board and Academic Senate should already be able to take place onsite in the spirit of the best academic traditions.

Zoologist studied an illegal poaching in Pakistan

The wildlife trade leads not only to biodiversity loss, but also threatens with a possible spread of animal-borne diseases, due to interspecies contact at pet and folk medicine markets. The case of the recent COVID-19 pandemic gives a lesson to learn. In order to stop further occurrences, a focus on law-enforcement activities should be brought to wildlife trade hotspots, the study says. More information Original study published in the journal Herpetozoa

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS CAN NOMINATE THEIR TEXTS ON EXTREMISM FOR THE DANIEL TUPÝ PRIZE

“We want to honour the memory of our student, Daniel Tupý, with a competition of texts on violence, extremism, and the failure of the state in the field of human rights in the past and the present. It is these topics that specifically force us to think about Daniel's tragic death and the subsequent fifteen-year wait in vain for justice,” said Marián Zouhar, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts. Current students of the faculty have not forgotten the tragedy that befell their fellow student. They realize that the evil that killed him remains present today. As the members of the Students’ Section of the Academic Senate of the Faculty of Arts, state, “Daniel Tupý was not the only victim of extremist violence in Slovakia. Marek Kaluža and Henry John Acorda are also dead. Extremists have now put on suits, and some of their ideas are becoming part of the political mainstream. Slovakia is scarred by this trauma: the milestones along its path are the graves of innocent young people, from Daniel to Henry and Martin. Our country is torn by a struggle of conflicting attitudes and ideas about the ‘right way’. We believe in freedom, tolerance, and the rule of law. And we must not be silent.” Students from all universities in Slovakia as well as abroad can enter their works for the Daniel Tupý Prize. The deadline for submissions is 15 September 2020, and the winners will be announced on November 4, the anniversary of Daniel's death. The three best works will receive a financial reward and will be published. This event is supported by Slovakia’s Public Defender of Rights, Mária Patakyová, and is organized by the Milan Šimečka Foundation, the Youth Against Fascism initiative, and the Students’ Section of the Academic Senate of the Faculty of Arts of Comenius University in Bratislava. More information: Facebook, #tichopodanielovi

Medics are not complaining we can be proud on what we are doing

You are working in a so-called filter, what does it mean? Where are filters located in Slovakia? Filter is a sorting facility. Our job is to find out who is tested positive for COVID-19 from samples taken from potential patients. When we have the result, the patients are contacted by Regional public health authority that informs them whether they are negative or positive and how they should proceed. We have a varied combination of state and private testing facilities. These places are still being updated, so that we wouldn’t have to bother the patients with far distance journeys to hospitals. Who comes to get tested? People who are potentially positive for COVID-19. If they are immobile, we go to them in an ambulance, for example to seniors’ homes. It is necessary to book taking samples in advance via a form at www.korona.gov.sk (administered by the National health information center). Patients have to come with an empty stomach, without a previous use of gargles, toothpaste, or any other means of disinfection of the oral cavity. If they are thirsty, drinking of not cooled still water is allowed. They should not smoke before the swab. It is necessary to come to the taking of samples in one’s own vehicle. Test for COVID-19 and quarantine is obligatory for everyone in the vehicle. How does testing of potential COVID-19 patients take place in the filters? It is recommended to blow one’s nose and cough before the taking of the sample. Samples from the nose and throat are taken by a swab. We put these into a special taking kit that includes a test tube with the full name of the patient. These are put into a marked sealable bag. The samples are then put into a cooling device and after the shift sent to a PCR machine testing in Trenčín. That’s how it works in the hospital in Bojnice where I work. How did you get this job? I started working in a call center of the NCZI. I saw how the situation was worsening so I decided to dedicate my energy to this sort of help. Credit also has to be attributed to the management of the Faculty of Medicine led by the Dean Juraj Šteňo. Their first concern was our safety, which was very motivating for me. The school supported the help of medics in the fight against COVID-19 and agreed that we can help at various places, under the condition that we would all be well protected. It was up to the students whether they sign up for a workplace that needs them, asks for their help or they agree on helping a specific hospital. How many medics work in a filter? In our filter there are 2 people taking samples from the patients that arrive and two other drive in the ambulance. On average, how many people are you able to test in one day? There are days when we test ten patients in an hour. Other days there may be a positive patient that was located at a department and apart from the pre-booked tests we test also the whole department. That’s how the number can rise up to 30 – 40 patients per hour. It’s natural that in these cases we don’t stop working for several hours. We must follow the safety procedures and so we sometimes take longer shifts until we do everything necessary. Students of medicine also work at places that have a 24-hour working time. That means that they change in 12-hour long shifts. It is quite demanding, but we chose a work where it is necessary. I think that we can be proud of what we are doing. As the saying goes: we cannot help everyone, but everyone can help someone. What safety measures are taken at a workplace like this? Our safety is in the first place, then the safety of people who come to be tested. There are very strict criteria. We have protective shoes, a special Tyvek suit that covers all of our bodies, protective glasses, respirator, face mask, protective shield or a mask, more layers of gloves that we regularly change and many disinfectants. After the shift the workers of the civil protection disinfect us and then we go to have a shower. Clothes that we wear under the protective suit are put into a bag and need to be washed at a high temperature after every shift. Our working environment is sterilized after the end of the shift and germicidal lamps are put there for a few hours. I’m really satisfied with the safety measures. What sort of a test are you doing and what happens with the samples? It is a real time PCR method with reverse transcription that is used worldwide. The test is aimed on presence of the ribonucleic acid (RNA) of the virus, while it searches for SARS-CoV-2 genes, the virus that caused the pandemic. This test is recommended by the Public Health Authority of the Slovak Republic and WHO. How do the patients cope with the test? Patients may have various extents of patience. Some of them manage this unpleasant test fine, others don’t hesitate to verbally relieve themselves. It makes everyone’s eyes water. Even though there are many patients and the work is tiring, there is always a funny story that brings us back onto our feet. Like when we are about to test a small child and they think we are going to feed them. It always motivates me when someone honestly says “Thank you”. That’s all you need. In that situation one sees that it was honest.

Major Cost Cutting at CU: Building Renovations and Academic Information System Replacement to be Postponed

Slovakia’s largest university - Comenius University in Bratislava - has already felt the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, which will probably be ongoing. Revenues from the state budget cover only about 70% of the university's costs, with the rest being met by revenue from the university’s business activities as well as other sources. However, a large of this income has dried up due to the economic impacts caused by the pandemic. The closure of the dormitories on its own represents an income shortfall of hundreds of thousands of euros for the university. In addition, the university is expecting a fall in income from tuition fees from international students as well as a drastic shortfall in income from its business activities; the closure of business operations has affected the university’s commercial tenants, who are unable to pay the agreed rent. The most significant saving measures will be seen in the postponement of the renovations to university buildings, several of which have been in critical condition for some time. Extensive renovations were planned for the dormitories at the Mlyny campus, specifically high-rise Block B and the three blocks of the Atrium Houses, as well as for the building housing the Faculty of Education on Šoltésovej Street. At present, all of these projects are at risk of not going ahead. Another measure is the stopping of the public tender for a new academic information system. The current AiS2 system has been used by the university since 2009. The university executive resumed discussions on replacing the information system and had announced a tender for the provision of a more modern information system. The new system was to improve the electronic communication with students and simplify support processes overall. "Despite the amount of work that has gone into preparing a new information system, in this situation of financial uncertainty, we cannot afford to commit hundreds of thousands of euros to it if we do not even know if we will have enough financial resources to cover the core operations of the university in the second half of this year," said the Comenius University Rector, Marek Števček. The university continues to count on the modernization of the information system, but only after the financial situation has been stabilized. Another saving measure has been the reduction of personnel costs at the Rectorate as well as at the faculties and other university centres. The adverse financial situation has most affected the activities of the university’s self-managed Centre for Further Education. This centre has primarily focused on the internationalization of the university and the fulfilment of the university’s social role through the education of senior citizens and lifelong learning. As a result of the halting of these activities, the centre has found itself in a critical situation. Therefore, due to a more efficient management structure and particularly a significant reduction in operating costs, the centre will be transferred to the Rectorate. Unfortunately, the centre has had to terminate several positions. The funding of the ACCORD scientific project is also in serious danger. This is a joint project with the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava which focuses on the modernization of research infrastructure, the renovation of buildings, and the strengthening of scientific capacities. Both universities were to invest 111 million euros over four years, which would be the largest investment in the history of Slovakia in the academic environment. However, the current situation and the possible reallocation of funds within individual operational programmes may seriously jeopardize the fulfilment of the project’s expected objectives. "Funding for university education was under strain even before this crisis. Now we have to prepare for the fact that we have really hard times ahead of us. As the rector, I am responsible for fulfilling the main mission of the university. We must focus on developing our scientific capacities. After all, Slovakia would not have managed the crisis so far without our doctors, pharmacists, epidemiologists, virologists, psychologists, researchers, and other experts," said Rector Števček. "Postponing the development projects is the only sensible step at the moment, and it seems to be a necessary one. However, I must also say that we had expected the opposite trend: namely, the strengthening of the funding of research universities and institutions such as the Slovak Academy of Sciences. Society has had a chance to be see that it is thanks to quality work by Slovak scientists that we have been able to manage the pandemic. However, we are actually seeing negative trends in the form of a reduction in the income of research universities. And this is why I am calling for support for the science that is keeping our heads above water."

The University is in a State of Readiness: the Dormitories are being Prepared

The Rector of Comenius University, Marek Števček, has declared a state of readiness. Currently the university is preparing the dormitories in accordance with the instructions of the crisis staff. Students who remain in the dormitories will be physically separated from any quarantined individuals. At this stage, it is not possible to answer any further questions, as the exact procedure for implementing this order will depend on the requirements of the crisis staff; the further course of action at the designated facilities is no longer in the hands of the university.

LET’S FOLLOW THE PATH OF NATURE TRAILS

What is a nature trail? Nature trail is an educational, usually tourist trail of any length, traditionally crossing a naturally, culturally, or regionally interesting area. It is marked in the country and on the map by a specific tourist sign. Along the trail there are information boards with illustrations and descriptions of interesting phenomena – these are a source of information about that piece of the country, local cultural and historical sites and personalities, protection of nature and the environment, and current as well as past activities of people in the area. Who builds nature trails? A nature trail may be built by various subjects. They were originally built by state organizations for protection of nature. Nowadays, these trails are issued by municipalities, Forests Slovakia, various civic associations, societies and authorities responsible for nature conservation areas. How do teachers and students of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the CU help with creation of nature trails? Teachers and scientists at the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the CU actively take part in the process of creation of nature trails either as experts asked to create and evaluate the contents of information boards or as active members of various societies and associations who design and build thematically oriented nature trails. Students actively participate in the creation of nature trails by the means of their theses. A few nature trails inspired by an idea from a thesis have been already created. While writing their theses, the students also participate on evaluation of the use of nature trails in practice, especially for educational purposes and tourism. Nature trails are an ideal combination of movement and learning. What types of nature trails do we have in Slovakia and how do we classify them? Apart from the “classic” nature trails generally containing information about nature, history, or culture built in the 20^th century by state environmental agencies, nowadays the more popular ones are thematically organized trails. For example, the authors of mining natural trails depict the natural and historical heritage connected to ore and mineral mining in Slovakia. Forest nature trails are aimed for the presentation of the forest from the point of view of foresters and show ways of growing plants and forest management. Historical and archeological trails are built mostly by civic associations at archeological sites (castles, fortifications) to present the results of archeological research and explanation of the life of our ancestors across various historical periods. Beekeeping trails are focused on the importance of bees for people and the environment. Nature trail can also be classified according to other criteria such as length, type of route (self-access, linear, one way, summer), type of transport (on foot, bicycle, boat), difficulty, target group (public, the young – e.g. school trip, and specified – for experts). How many nature trails do we have in Slovakia? It is estimated that there are approximately 600 educational nature trails and their number increases steadily. It is practically impossible to tell the current number of trails now. Why? Since nature trails are not built only by state and municipal institutions, but also by various civic associations, it is problematic to secure a systematic care for already built nature trails or have a unified methodic for their maintenance. That is the same reason why there is no central database of nature trails. We can find out the approximate number by terrain research, from information published in the press, on the internet or social media. Many nature trails, especially those built as a part of a short-term project, have unfortunately only ephemeral character. Without necessary permanent maintenance, they are destined for fast decay under the influence of natural elements. Luckily, most of the trails are maintained and regularly renewed. Together with your colleagues you created a website called naucnechodniky.eu. Why did you create the website? Our department has been focusing on propagation of scientific knowledge on a long-term basis by the means of projects and publications. We feel insufficient layman awareness especially in the field of so-called inanimate nature. Because of the absence of awareness about the location, state, and quality of natural trails we decided to modernize our previous version of an internet database of natural trails in Slovakia. Until now we have published approximately 350 nature trails from our collection. The texts and pictures are constantly being updated also in cooperation with the public or from initiative of the authors of nature trails. Every description of a nature trail includes, apart from the basic information, also a description of natural, environmental and cultural-historic curiosities located close to the trail. Interactive website naucnechodniky.eu is aimed for laymen as well as expert public. Its primary target group are schools. We usually go travelling abroad but in this situation we have an opportunity to explore the beauties of Slovakia. How should we choose a nature trail? Now, in the times of pandemic, we should choose trails close to our house. We have a great opportunity to explore our region and unknown or overlooked natural and historical treasures at a slower pace. One can choose according to one’s own interests and hiking possibilities. On the website you can find trails according to administrative districts, natural areas, thematical focus, and other criteria. It’s been 60 years since the first Slovak nature trail was opened in Pieniny National Park. How has the attitude of people changed since then? Were people more active in the past than they are now? In the past nature trails were built by state organizations and their structure and form was more or less identical. Trails were built primarily as tourist routes in frequented localities attractive for tourists. Their number was limited to a few dozens, they were regularly renewed and maintained. Currently, most of the trails are built by municipalities and various associations. People are more creative in the process of creation of trails and try to promote curiosities of the region to the public. A nature trail is also a good tool for presentation of noble activities of an association, society or organization. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to create a trail that would meet all the necessary parameters – functional long-term signs in the terrain, technical realization, correctness of content, adequateness and attractivity, and especially a long-life span. The current interest in nature trails and their use in tourism is considerable, which is mirrored also in a high and constantly increasing turnout at the website naucnechodniky.eu.

A CHILD’S SMILE IS OUR MOTIVATION TO CONTINUE WITH THE FUND RAISING CAMPAIGN ALSO AFTER THE END OF THE PANDEMIC

When they started working as volunteers at the Line of National Health Information Center (NCZI), they had no idea they’d get paid for it. “We didn’t go there because of the money, we wanted to help,” explains Ivan, who together with Mária and two hundred other medics helped in the call centers to cope with the avalanche of phone calls concerning Covid-19 also during March. After few days the NCZI decided to financially reward the volunteers. The idea was born there. “I discussed with Mária donating part of our money to help the children suffering from the SMA. We said that it was not important whether we raise 200 euro or more, the important thing is that we engage into it and we’ll try to make these children smile again,” Ivan explained. Spinal Muscular Atrophy Alex, Amélia, Alexej. These are the names of three children who suffer from Spinal Muscular Atrophy. SMAs include a group of genetically conditioned diseases caused by degeneration of motoric cells, which leads to loss of muscular cells. In practice, this means that patients either cannot learn how to sit, stand and walk, or they lose these abilities after the first symptoms of the disease appear. Neither cognitive functions nor emotional development is affected. Fight against time There are four major groups of this disease. Each of them is represented by specific symptoms. One of the symptoms is the time when the disease appears. SMA type I, from which the named children suffer, is also called Acute infant form (or Werdning-Hoffmann disease) and manifests itself during the first 4 – 6 months of age by slowing down the motoric development. Muscular hypotonia is usually evident immediately after birth, manifested by a smaller ability to move the muscles. Course of the disease is individual, because it is impacted by many factors. One of the major and most common complications is shortness of breath, which can become the cause of death. Children suffering from this disease usually won’t survive for more than two years without a medicine. That’s why it’s essential to get enough money until the end of June. Not certified in Slovakia There is only one medicine approved by the Ministry of Healthcare of the Slovak Republic – Spinraza. One dose of this medicine costs approximately 90 000 euro. The patient receives it directly into the spinal cord by the means of a lumbar injection every four months. All life long. There is a new medicine – Zolgensma, which is certified only in the USA. It is a genetical therapy administered once, with a 90% chance of impeding the progress of the disease. This medicine is not available in Slovakia and costs approximately 2 million euro. Even though it’s not certified in Europe yet, it was administered if the parents assumed the responsibility for the treatment in some European countries, such as Belgium, Portugal, France and Hungary. In all these cases the parents had to pay the whole sum of the medicine, just as in our case. Medics already collected 1300 euro The idea of financial support was born at the end of March and spread thanks to Facebook groups for the students of medicine and volunteers. As Ivan himself says: “The first salary came from NCZI on April 7th and from the next day new money kept arriving. It was really a dynamic thing. Until this day we collected 1300 euro and we’re waiting for the next payday.” The collection isn’t over yet, and more money dedicated for a good thing keeps arriving. “We want to show them to never give up,” adds Ivan hopefully.

The Coronavirus Helpline: the Phone is Ringing Non-Stop

From 8.30 AM to 4 PM two people man the helpline in turns. A third team member works on the helpline that announces the COVID-19 test results. After 4 PM one of the team takes the phone and information home to do a night shift. In addition, the students consult with each other – including with those not on shift – should a complicated situation arise, such as the case of a patient who was serving a sentence who was suspected of having been infected. “I didn’t think about whether to help or not. It was a totally automatic decision,” said Šimon Smoter,who is a medical student in the fifth year of studies. He is managing to meet the demands of study despite also volunteering on the helpline. ”Since I have been employed at the Institute of Anatomy at the Faculty of Medicine since my third year, I have been engaged in online learning. Every week I prepare a lecture for students about individual organ systems, which at this time were supposed to be dealt with during autopsies,” says Šimon, who after studying hopes to become a surgeon. How do they manage to deal with running the helpline? All sorts of people call. Most of them are fine, but some are aggressive and swear or are threatening. Others call who want to discuss the current situation or who wish to give advice themselves to how to handle it. ”When this happens, we have to finish the call as soon as possible. There could be another ten people waiting to get through who need our services more,” says Šimon, who adds that during the day the phone is basically ringing non-stop. Most calls can be dealt with within a few minutes. However, sometimes there are calls that can take half an hour and which may require the involvement of a doctor, the police, or another institution. Those who call ask about the latest measures and about the possibility to get tested. Some members of the public are critical of the introduced measures, the inadequate level of testing, and the long wait for results. “Many really do not seem to be aware what a great sacrifice healthcare workers are undertaking at this time. The Slovak healthcare system is able to manage this situation,” says Šimon, who is confident the pandemic will be overcome without major difficulty. According to him, Slovaks have taken a rational and responsible approach, and it is thanks to this that they can handle the situation well and hold their heads high.