Report from Gaudeamus Prague 2020 ****************************************************************************************** * Report from Gaudeamus Prague 2020 - Promoting university education and lifelong learning ****************************************************************************************** The Prague inception of Gaudeamus – a hugely popular European exhibition fair promoting un education and lifelong learning - has just wrapped up in the Czech capital. Over three day thousands of visitors – most often high school students in their final year before graduat Prague’s Letňany to learn about schools where they would like to study. Including Charles The Gaudeamus fair takes its names from a traditional students' song with melodic roots da way back to the 13th century. Most of the lyrics are a great deal younger but form an unof anthem, urging students to live life to the fullest as time in this world is brief, and ca make the most of their studies at university. Most of those who attended the fair in Prague this week were presented with a wide array o the Czech Technical University in Prague (ČVUT), Masaryk University and Charles University top schools from a long list that took part. Hall 4, where universities had stands, was so packed with young people getting information the crowds at times was reminiscent of swimming upstream. Some of the students – Veronika and Pavel told me more about the schools that had caught t V: I am interested in studying at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague in connecti environment. P: I am interested in history and renewable resources so I am considering two schools – th University of Life Sciences Prague and Charles University. CU’s stand this year was among the more prominent, placing third in a competition for best exhibit. Students from all 17 faculties were on hand, providing information to potential a placing a renewed emphasis as a research university and on the importance of blue skies re as on greater mobility and opportunities for students within the 4EU+ alliance. Miroslav Čermák, one of the key organisers from the team of CU Point and the Press and PR Rectorate, describes the event as a “major undertaking” involving the creative input and t He told me more above the din in the hall, as wave after wave of young people walked by. The aim is of course to attract motivated students and recent graduates and to offer infor all of our programmes and faculties. We want attendees to gain as much information as they communicate face-to-face with representatives who in this case are students from the facul That is hugely important. As students, they are able to offer special insights based on th experience, which is great. At our section, there are all kinds of presentations that peop science and medicine and much more – and we even had space where visitors can take a break The first two days of the three-day fair saw some 9,000 visitors. One of those to present student Tereza Adámková: I am studying at the Hussite Theological Faculty and this is my second time at Gaudeamus; at Brno just a few months ago. It is a great event and is an excellent opportunity for stu information about our school. Of course, there is a lot to take in. I think attendees come of information. They ultimately make their decision later, but they also come here with po mind. Not all plans come to fruition right away, but the important thing is that they know study at university after graduation. Meeting with future potential students, is something Tereza Adámková and fellow colleagues The overall mood is very positive and the hall hums with interest and conversation. For un site, being seen is crucial, and the most effective booths or sites are not only visually are easy to spot, rising vertically towards the ceiling, meaning they can be easily locate room. Each university has its own way of attracting passers-by: the Czech Technical University i example, boasts a 3D mock-up of an Olympic kayak course, offering visitors the chance to r kayaker or a bunch of rubber duckies to the finish line. ČVUT student Karel Treu told me more: This is a tiny version of the model we designed for the course for kayakers we designed fo a big attraction and we have a lot of technical information about the course for those who more. And you can of course race while you are here. Just across the way, Charles University exhibited large format photographs that included n events and featured a large flat screen with a video presentation. Those who had already visited the CU stand are always easy to spot as they wear paper Char (think Jughead Jones) with the slogan: #studylikeaking. Miroslav Čermák calls the hats a g saying they are fun and always snapped up. Visitors want them. They put them together and then wear them throughout the day. Asked about the other schools, Miroslav Čermák admits there is a measure of competition bu mostly friendly – after three years involvement, many from different schools are now famil I would describe it as a healthy rivalry. A lot of us know each other from past fairs. The of competition, sure, but we know how much work goes into all of this. The main thing is t university in its many facets and to show what we have to offer. The biggest plus or takeaway is that there is such an interest from young people in contin university education. At the end of the day, meeting that interest is really what it’s all