The European Commission has decided to award the EuroLeague of Life Sciences Universities (ELLS Universities) funding of approximately €7.2M in the next two years under the European Universities Initiative. For the alliance, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, this marks the beginning of a new chapter.

The world’s tallest tropical trees, which grow on the island of Borneo and reach heights of up to one hundred meters, are not more prone to water transport failure during periods of drought than shorter trees. Such is the finding of a new study published in the prestigious international scientific journal Science, with significant contributions from scientists from the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague and Mendel University in Brno. The research refutes the previous hypothesis that their hydraulic system fails during increasingly frequent droughts. These tree giants play an irreplaceable role in carbon storage, biomass production, microclimate regulation, and biodiversity support.

At the end of last week, the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague welcomed two distinguished visitors from Prague-based embassies. Rector Michal Lošťák discussed opportunities for cooperation with the Hungarian Ambassador András Baranyi, while the Kazakh Ambassador Kairat Abdrakhmanov addressed the continuation of long-term projects.

Professor Jan Banout, Vice-Rector for Strategy and Technology Transfer at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, took part in the international symposium Learning from Global Examples – University-Centered Community Development, held in the Japanese city of Shimonoseki to mark the 70th anniversary of Shimonoseki City University.