The European Parliament has awarded the European Citizen Awards for 2020 and 2021 to two Czech universities. The 2021 prize was awarded to Masaryk University for its commitment during the health emergency. Credit: Masaryk University.
Brno, Oct 19 (BD) – Every year, the European Parliament delivers the European Citizen Award to projects dealing with social issues in each of the European member states.
This year there were two awards – from 2020 and 2021 – and the European Parliament awarded Masaryk University for the key role played by the university’s volunteer center and its “MUNI Helps” project during the health emergency in 2021.
Dita Charanzová, Vice-President of the European Parliament and Chancellor of the European Citizen’s Award, presented the coveted award to the university’s volunteer center on October 11th at a ceremony that also involved another Czech institution.
The Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics at the Czech Technical University of Prague (CTU) received the 2020 European Citizen’s Award for the invention of the CIIRC RP 95-3D protective half-mask.
“Both projects that have been recognized share two important things in common: innovation and solidarity. Our universities, research institutes, and students have demonstrated that they are among the best in the world. Both projects contributed significantly to the battle against COVID-19. We have much to be proud of,” said Charanzová.
However, the MUNI volunteer center did not only deal with the health emergency. Volunteers also played a key role in the response to the tornado that hit South Moravian villages in June, coordinating cleaning teams and handling other logistical aspects.
Today the center is aiming to expand its programs, for example by creating a student legal advisory center and a help incubator.
