The ceremonial opening of the new academic year at the University of South Bohemia brought recognition to two academics from the Faculty of Agriculture and Technology. Mgr. Martin Šeda, Ph.D., and Prof. RNDr. Tomáš Mrkvička, Ph.D., received Jarloch Awards from the Rector of the University, Prof. Pavel Kozák, in recognition of their teaching activities and contribution to higher education.
Mgr. Martin Šeda, Ph.D., Head of the Department of Applied Chemistry at FAT USB, received the Jarloch Award for Outstanding Teaching Achievements. He teaches chemistry across several faculties and degree programmes at the University of South Bohemia, including Chemistry Teaching, Nutritional Therapy, Civil Protection, Laboratory Diagnostics and Agriculture. His enthusiasm for teaching and his ability to engage students are regularly reflected in student evaluations of teaching.
Science communication and popularisation are also an important part of his work. He regularly participates in events for students, schools and the general public, including Researchers' Night, Days of Science and Technology, the Science Show Věda v Géčku, A Day with the University and university open days. He also actively communicates science through the media.
The second award went to Prof. RNDr. Tomáš Mrkvička, Ph.D., from FAT USB, who, together with Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Vladimíra Petrášková, Ph.D., from the Faculty of Education, received the Jarloch Award for Outstanding Modern University Textbooks.
The award recognised the publication Probability and Statistics with Solved Examples in MS Excel (Pravděpodobnost a statistika s řešenými příklady v prostředí MS Excel). The textbook provides a clear and accessible introduction to probability and statistics, combining theoretical foundations with practical examples solved using MS Excel. It is designed to be accessible to students without extensive previous training in the field, including those enrolled in non-technical degree programmes.
The publication was created through the collaboration of four experts from two faculties of the University of South Bohemia and is an example of interdisciplinary cooperation that connects academic expertise with the practical needs of university teaching.
Congratulations to both of our colleagues on receiving the Jarloch Awards, and thank you for their contribution to teaching and for representing the Faculty of Agriculture and Technology.