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Agreement on Mutual Cooperation between the Faculty of Law of Comenius University and DiusAi, a.s.

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 11:53:00 +0100

On March 3, 2026, the Faculty of Law of Comenius University in Bratislava, represented by the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. JUDr. Eduard Burda, PhD, and DiusAi a. s., represented by Peter Dovhun and Tomáš Meliško, signed a mutual cooperation agreement. The partnership creates opportunities for academic research into legal issues and problems related to the regulation of automated transport in the fields of education, science, research, and the preparation of law graduates for their professional careers. This cooperation will further create opportunities for research, development, and other creative activities for students of our faculty in the preparation of their final theses and rigorous dissertations. At the same time, it will provide opportunities for students to undertake professional internships at the partner company. The memorandum will also enable employees of the partner organization to participate in professional and scientific events at our faculty, while the faculty will create a platform for their active involvement in the educational process and the active sharing of professional knowledge and experience during lectures and seminars. The full memorandum can be found HERE.

Award for Long-Term Contribution to GEM Research

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 15:52:00 +0100

The international Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) project presented the results of its 2025 entrepreneurship survey in Monterrey, Mexico. The main global themes this year are the growing fear of failure in entrepreneurship, the need to support start-up entrepreneurs, and artificial intelligence. From February 24 to February 28, 2026, the annual conference of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) – the world’s largest and most significant study of individual entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial ecosystems at both global and national levels – took place in Monterrey, Mexico. The Faculty of Management, Comenius University Bratislava (FM CU) was represented by Prof. Anna Pilková and Mgr. Ján Rehák, PhD, a member of the Department of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at FM CU and of the GEM team. He has worked at Tecnológico de Monterrey for the past 11 years and currently serves as the national director of the Entrepreneurship Across the University program. The main focus of the conference is the presentation of the 2025 results (for more details, see www.gemconsortium.org). Slovakia continues to maintain a stable – and, by European standards, high – level of early-stage entrepreneurial activity (TEA), with 11.4% of adults engaged in start-up entrepreneurship (up to 42 months in business). However, in terms of established business activity (5%), Slovakia has for several years reported low sustainability of start-up businesses, placing it among the countries that contributed to this negative global trend in 2025. This lack of sustainability can be explained by the country’s long-term weak entrepreneurial environment, which is also reflected in the 2025 National Entrepreneurship Context Index (NECI), where Slovakia scored 3.8 (on a 0–10 scale), ranking 51st out of 53 countries. Likewise, a year-over-year increase of more than 20% in fear of failure – reported by 67% of our start-up entrepreneurs – contributed to the second identified negative global trend in 2025. As many as 33% of start-up entrepreneurs in Slovakia currently consider the use of artificial intelligence in business to be very important, which is above the European average. There is also good news: nearly 73% of our start-up entrepreneurs prioritize social and/or environmental impact over profit or business growth, and this trend has been increasing year over year for the past five years. This year, FM CU celebrates the 15th anniversary of its membership in the GEM project. Since 2011, the faculty has served as Slovakia’s national coordinator of the project. The faculty’s main partner in the GEM project is the Slovak Business Agency (SBA). At this year’s annual meeting, the GERA Board recognized the activities of the Slovak team and awarded it for its “valuable long-term contribution to GEM research.” Over the past 15 years, GEM research results have found broad application both domestically and internationally in professional settings. The results have been used most extensively in the preparation of strategic documents within the SBA, as well as in the work of the OECD, the European Commission, and several ministries of the Slovak Republic. In addition, GEM data are used by the faculty’s academic staff and PhD students in research projects and scientific publications, as well as by students in the preparation of their bachelor’s and master’s theses.

Ghent Maritime Institute offers the MSc Maritime Science specialized master!

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 15:16:00 +0100

Will you become the next Port CEO, Director of Maritime Operations, legal expert or maritime consultant?

The Master of Science in Maritime Science is an inter-university program developed by two Belgian universities: Ghent University (UGent) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). It is aimed towards students from diverse academic backgrounds, holding a Master or 4-year bachelor degree, who have a common passion for the maritime sector and the evolutions affecting our oceans and waterways. People already working in the maritime sector may also benefit from the program to enhance their knowledge and skillset.

The program offers a combination of three main pillars: a technical/general pillar, an economic/logistic pillar and a legal pillar. This multidisciplinary approach makes it unique in the global academic landscape. Considering the international environment the maritime sector operates in, all courses are offered in English, and it is taught by experts with international acknowledgement and experience. The strong interaction with the maritime sector through both guest lectures and field trips – both to ports like North Sea Port, Antwerp and Rotterdam as well as a longer visit to London – provides students with up-to-date information on all matters concerning ports and shipping.

New since this year, we're also extremely happy to be able to point you to our partial tuition fee waivers. Since this year, the program is able to offer a limited number of partial tuition fee waivers for excellent applicants showing financial need.

You can find all relevant information on the website of our study program. We still welcome applications until 1 April (for students who need a visa) or 1 July (for students who don’t need a visa) for the upcoming academic year."

Seychellois in Slovakia: We Miss the Beaches, but Martin Is Amazing

milos.hrabovsky@uniba.sk — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 15:00:00 +0100

Currently, there are 23 of them studying medicine in English. How do they learn about Martin? What do they like and what they miss? Chloe Nibourette, who is already in her 5th year at Jessenius, shared her experience with us. How did you learn about studying medicine in Martin and why did you choose it? I learned about it from our government scholarship program in Seychelles. They recommended Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary as places to study. I also heard about Martin from older students who had studied here. Their experience was good, so I decided to choose Martin. I did some research online, saw that it is a nice place, so I applied, passed my exam, and was accepted. Do you like studying in a smaller city? Comenius University also offers medicine studies in English in Bratislava, the bigger capital city. I visited Bratislava and do not regret choosing Martin at all. It is better for me to be in a smaller city. It is quiet here, with fewer distractions. Also, I did not know any Seychellois in Bratislava — all of them were in Martin. Are you satisfied with the school? The study program itself is good, as are the professors and the infrastructure. The administrative support staff is also amazing. I would like to have more clinical exposure, since we will be doctors soon, but besides that, everything is fine. How is student life in Martin? Amazing! We Seychellois stick together, but we also make friends with other students, and there are students from all over the world here. It makes life very interesting. I can learn about their culture and their life back home. When I have free time, I like to travel. Vienna and Prague are two of my favourite cities to visit. Seychelles as a country is totally different from Slovakia. What was the biggest cultural shock for you when you arrived five years ago? It was the food. In Seychelles, we eat a lot of fresh fish and seafood, which I love. I had to adapt to a different cuisine. Luckily, I rent an apartment and can cook at home. Although it is not always as fresh as back home, I can always cook something from what is available here. I always bring a lot of spices when I visit home. Sometimes I go to restaurants with my friends. I like goulash! I also appreciate the diversity of healthier food options here in Slovakia. Compared to back home in Seychelles, there is a wider range of nutritious and allergy-friendly products. As someone with a milk allergy, having more lactose-free and dairy free products choices really helps. Did you adapt to the different climate? Yes, the climate was also a shock. In Seychelles, we do not have four seasons — it is hot all the time. When I first arrived, it was summer, but then autumn and winter came, and I had to adapt to the cold weather. What about the Slovak language? It was difficult at the beginning, but we had to learn Slovak for two years at school, and now I can communicate a bit — with locals in restaurants and also with patients at the hospital. Would you recommend Martin to others back home? Yes, I already have. I have friend from my hometown back home who is here in her first year now. Martin is one of the best places to study medicine! Are there times when you feel homesick and miss something from your home country? I usually travel home twice a year, in June and December, and come back in September and February. I felt homesick after I returned in February because the weather was so gloomy. But once the sun comes out, I am fine. Although we all miss the sea and the beaches! Barbora Tancerová

Cooperation between the Seychelles and Martin has been ongoing since 2012

Cooperation between the Seychelles and Martin has been ongoing since 2012 How did the Seychelles learn about medical studies in Martin? The initiative came from the Republic of Seychelles. The former President of the National Assembly and current President, Patrick Herminie, studied medicine at Charles University in Prague, graduating in 1990. In 2012, he organized a working trip for representatives of the Seychelles to Central Europe, during which they visited several medical faculties in the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia. On May 23, 2012, they also visited Comenius University. In Martin, they were accompanied by Erika Halašová, then the Vice-Dean for Pedagogical Activities and International Relations. “Margaret Pillay from the Ministry of Labour and Human Resources Development, responsible for pedagogical activities, and Henry Telemaque from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Seychelles, a surgical consultant in hospitals, were among the visitors. They toured our facilities, learned about our teaching methods, accommodation options, and overall life in the city. In the end, they decided to establish cooperation with us. I believe the key factors in choosing Martin were the small class sizes and the safety of the city,” says Professor Halašová. Every year, several top students from the Seychelles receive funding for their studies. When Patrick Herminie visited Comenius University Bratislava on November 28, 2014, during his visit to Slovakia, he also met with the first Seychellois medical students studying in Martin. Comenius University Bratislava

Doctoral colloquium - Jafari Fatana (9.3.2026)

Damas.Gruska@fmph.uniba.sk — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 15:17:00 +0100

Jafari Fatana:
Hybrid Xception-Vision Transformer Model for Automatic Diagnosis and Classification of White Matter Lesions with Explainable AI Techniques
Abstract:
White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are brain abnormalities associated with cerebral small-vessel disease and are readily detectable on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), playing a critical role in the diagnosis of complex neurological disorders. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI), particularly deep learning, have enabled powerful automated approaches for medical image analysis, including detection, segmentation, and classification tasks, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy and efficiency in neuroimaging. However, despite their strong performance, many AI models remain difficult to interpret due to their “black-box” nature, which limits clinical acceptance and trust among healthcare professionals. Explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) addresses this challenge by providing insights into model decision-making processes and enhancing transparency. In this study, we propose a framework for the detection and classification of white matter hyperintensities from brain MRI using deep learning models integrated with explainable AI techniques. A hybrid architecture combining Xception and Vision Transformer (ViT) models will be employed for WMH detection and classification. In addition, several deep learning architectures, including Capsule Network (CapsNet), VGG, and ResNet, are implemented and evaluated for comparative analysis. To enhance interpretability, XAI methods, such as Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM), Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations (LIME), and Integrated Gradients are applied to provide visual and quantitative explanations of model predictions. The proposed approach aims to improve both predictive performance and model transparency, supporting reliable and clinically interpretable AI-assisted neuroimaging analysis. More information Youtube channel

Algebraic Graph Theory Seminar - Kirti Sahu (6.3.2026)

Martin.Macaj@fmph.uniba.sk — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:39:00 +0100

Kirti Sahu (National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha, India):
Minimal graphs with given automorphism groups and fixing set MS Teams
Abstract:
Let G be a finite group. Define α(G) as the minimum number of vertices among all graphs Γ such that the automorphism group of Γ is isomorphic to G. For any p prime, all p-groups of order pⁿ having cyclic subgroups of order pⁿ −1 have been completely classified. We consider one family of groups called modular p-groups, for an odd prime p. We compute the value of α(G) for modular p-group. The fixing number of a graph Γ is defined as the smallest number of vertices in Γ that, when fixed, makes the automorphism group trivial. For a finite group G, the fixing set is defined as the set of all fixing numbers of graphs having automorphism groups isomorphic to G. We show that the fixing set of modular p-group is {1}.

Seminar of Graph Theory - Yifan Zhang (5.3.2026)

Martin.Skoviera@fmph.uniba.sk — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 14:58:00 +0100

Yifan Zhang (University of Ostrava/VSB - Technical University of Ostrava):
Coverings of Complete Graphs by Small Cliques and Applications Abstrakc:
We study coverings of complete graphs by small cliques, motivated by both design theory and by parallel fast Boundary Element Methods. When several clique sizes are allowed, minimising the number of blocks alone becomes less informative, so we instead optimise the “excess”, meaning the edges that get covered more than once, together with the block count. I will present sharp results for coverings using 3- and 4-cliques, discuss extensions that also allow 5-cliques (including remaining open cases), and explain how these constructions feed into practical load-balancing models for fast BEM. More information

Pushing the boundaries of wastewater treatment

nasa.univerzita@uniba.sk — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:00:00 +0100

Your research group is called M2. What does the name signify? I set it up together with my colleague Martin Motola; and the acronym is a bit of a pun: it comes from our surnames - Monfort and Motola - and it also reflects our expertise: materials and mechanisms. Our group also includes two postdocs and six PhD students. We are continuing the research started by our former supervisor, Professor Gustáv Plesch. What exactly do you study?
We work on nanomaterials designed for wastewater treatment. Our aim is to understand how and why the processes we investigate operate and to determine whether it makes sense to apply them to actual wastewater. Another goal is to develop non-toxic, sustainable and efficient nanomaterials. I personally focus on iron-based materials. At present I also focus on research into iron-based MXenes. What are MXenes?
MXenes are a new category of nanomaterials that were discovered relatively recently – in 2011 – and are currently attracting great interest. They are two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as graphene and transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), but they are composed of metallic carbides, nitrides or carbonitrides. These nanomaterials have specific properties; their surface can be modified, which makes it possible to influence their reactivity. In other words, we can “design” their surface chemistry according to the intended application. What uses of MXenes are you exploring in your group?
Until now, MXenes have mainly been investigated for energy applications, but at the Faculty of Natural Sciences of Comenius University Bratislava we are pioneers in using them in oxidised form for wastewater treatment. In the laboratory we study how MXenes react with molecules present in wastewater. Current systems cannot fully purify the water, and untreated pollutants, like antibiotic residues, are released into the natural environment. In our research we use both water that we “contaminate” ourselves for experimental purposes, but also real wastewater from the municipal wastewater treatment plant in Bratislava. The processes we study are known as advanced oxidation processes because they make use of highly reactive, oxidising radicals that effectively degrade organic molecules. You also study how MXene reactions can be activated by sunlight. How does that work?
The material itself, merely by being present in water, cannot completely break down pollutants: you have to supply it with energy. For this purpose we use light. In the laboratory we use a photoreactor that generates UVA radiation similar to natural sunlight. We activate the nanomaterials with light; this principle is called photocatalysis. Another way to increase the efficiency of degradation is to use green oxidising agents, which promote the formation of radicals. One of the substances we use is hydrogen peroxide, which is inexpensive and non-toxic. When our nanomaterial is exposed to light, hydroxyl radicals are generated. These are extremely reactive and react with a wide range of pollutants. How do you expect your methods can improve treatment in the future?
The point of developing such advanced methods is to deploy them everywhere! In everyday life they can be used as an additional step in water treatment. The goal is to increase the share of treated wastewater that can be reused in the circular economy, for example for irrigating fields. The challenge is how to achieve this in large countries such as Spain, Greece or France: particularly in their southern parts they are already facing serious water shortages. The situation is also worsening in Brittany, where I come from. There used to be sufficient groundwater reserves, but in recent years there have been summers when watering gardens is banned because there simply is no water. You received the Young Scientist of the Year award. Does that mean you have achieved something new in this field?
Yes, there were two areas in which I published high-quality papers. In the first area, I focused on clarifying mechanisms that had not previously been fully described or had been interpreted incorrectly. The second area involved the MXenes we mentioned. The results we published were related to surface modification by oxidation, specifically for wastewater treatment. I should stress, however, that the award I received is a result of the collaboration that I coordinate. I am very grateful for this recognition, because it is further proof that we are capable of doing top-level research in Slovakia. Who are your collaborators?
We learned how to prepare MXenes in the United States; their discoverer, Professor Yury Gogotsi, personally visited Slovakia several times. His former PhD student, Professor Michael Naguib from Tulane University in New Orleans, is our partner and often collaborates with us. My postdoc Shalu Shalu completed a research stay with him. We collaborate with CNRS and Université Clermont Auvergne in France on the treatment processes specifically, and we also have partners in China and the Czech Republic. At home we collaborate with the Centre for Nanotechnologies and Advanced Materials (CENAM) at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University Bratislava, and with the Slovak University of Technology. How did you get from France to Bratislava? What made you even consider university studies in Slovakia?
I already learned about Slovakia in secondary school. Our regional capital had twinning arrangements with several cities in Europe and once, when it organised a festival, they invited students from the Metodova Bilingual Grammar School in Bratislava. I was assigned to look after them and I made friends with some of them; afterwards we stayed in touch. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in chemistry in Brittany, at the Université de Rennes. My supervisor was Czech, he actually described himself as Czechoslovak, and he advised me to look into Master’s programmes in the Czech Republic or Slovakia. I opted for Comenius University Bratislava. Did you study in English?
No, in Slovak. It was hard until I learnt Slovak, but the teachers were very accommodating and my classmates also helped a lot. After a while I felt so good here that I stayed on to do my PhD. I went back to France for a postdoctoral stay. I then tried to obtain a permanent research position, but it did not work out: I made the short-list several times, but research policy favours foreigners. In the meantime, an opportunity arose to take up an assistant professorship in Bratislava, and I decided to return to Slovakia. I am grateful to France for not selecting me, because I am now proud to be working in Slovakia, where I can demonstrate my abilities and show that Slovakia has great potential. The French are renowned for their love of gastronomy, good food and wine. How did you adjust to life in Slovakia in this respect?
First of all, I am Breton, not French! I like Slovak cuisine very much, although it is fattier than what I was used to. I loved dumplings with sheep cheese, pierogi, and schnitzels. Unfortunately, I now have to keep to a gluten-free diet, so I can no longer enjoy them. As far as wine is concerned, I was pleasantly surprised by how good your white wines were. Sometimes me and my friends take the "Carpathian Wine Route" and once we met a winery owner who, when he found out I was from France, brought out his very best wines for me to try. That was certainly a case of positive discrimination! Do you think we are open enough towards foreigners?
Overall I think you are, although compared to France you are still a very homogeneous society, for example in terms of skin colour or religion. Personally, however, I have always felt accepted, especially when people saw that I was making an effort to speak Slovak. The level of internationalisation, at least at our faculty and department, is quite high. Apart from me, our department also has staff from Ukraine, Japan, China and India. I also see the opening of the university’s Welcome Centre as a great step; my PhD students have already used its services and were very satisfied. Barbora Tancerová

TESTING OF SLOVAK LANGUAGE COMPETENCE

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:16:00 +0100

Studia Academica Slovaca offers language testing for applicants to the Faculty of Management, Comenius University in Bratislava. The testing will take place in April and June 2026. Applicants will take a language test at the B1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). DATES:
1st term : 23 April 2026
2nd term : 18 June 2026 VENUE:
Faculty of Management, Comenius University
Odbojárov 10, Bratislava (Important notice: The test cannot currently be taken online.) APPLICATION – Verification of Slovak language competence (B1 level) here:
PRIHLÁŠKA - overenie jazykovej kompetencie zo SLJ (úroveň B1) (You may apply for the 1st term until 17 April 2026 and for the 2nd term until 12 June 2026.)

Jessenius Faculty of Medicine of Comenius University Strengthens Cooperation with Iceland

milos.hrabovsky@uniba.sk — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 15:49:00 +0100

The delegation in the field of medical education and research was represented by the Dean of JFM CU, Professor Andrea Čalkovská, and the Director of the Martin Centre for Biomedicine, Professor Erika Halašová. The official visit was organised by the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic. Its main agenda was a bilateral meeting between the Ministers of Health focused on further strengthening cooperation between the two countries. The negotiations resulted in the signing of a joint memorandum. During the meeting, Icelandic Minister of Health Alma Möller acknowledged the long‑standing involvement of JFM CU in educating future Icelandic doctors. The faculty has been providing education to students from Iceland for 15 years. In the current academic year, JFM CU hosts 173 Icelandic students, with 23 enrolled in the first year. A total of 187 Icelandic physicians have successfully completed their studies in Martin to date. The programme also included a meeting with several alumni who are now practicing physicians in Icelandic healthcare institutions and spoke very positively about their studies in Martin. Looking ahead, both sides are considering enhancing cooperation in the education of Icelandic students and expanding it to include specialisation training, which was the subject of discussions at the Landspítali University Hospital in Reykjavík. Another important topic of the visit was cooperation in research and development. Researchers from JFM CU collaborate with Icelandic colleagues mainly in the field of new methods in regenerative medicine. A noteworthy part of the programme was a meeting focused on spa medicine. Representatives of the Piešťany and Turčianske Teplice spa facilities participated in the discussions. JFM CU has long cooperated with Piešťany on an innovative rehabilitation programme for patients with Parkinson’s disease, while in cooperation with Turčianske Teplice there is an effort to develop a programme for patients after stroke. Interestingly, Slovak spa medicine and the healing properties of its mineral and thermal waters were featured on Iceland’s most widely read news portal mbl.is. The working visit concluded with a meeting with the Slovak Catholic bishop Dávid Tencer and members of the Slovak community living in Iceland. Photos: MZ SR