Laureates of the student award Vitriol 2025

The Vitriol awards were created for the UCT Prague by artist MgA. Dominika Petrtýlová, a graduate of UMPRUM in the studio under the guidance of Rony Plesl.

Results

The winners of the fourth edition of the Vitriol Student Prize 2025 in 6 categories were:

Best teacher of FCT

doc. Ing. Eliška Vyskočilová, Ph.D.

Doc. Vyskočilová (111) is professionally devoted to organic technology, in which she obtained her habilitation in 2017. She focuses in particular on optimising the preparation of chemical specialties (mainly fragrance compounds and intermediates for pharmaceutical use). She receives the Vitriol Award for 2025 especially for her supportive and kind approach in her courses and in consultations while supervising final theses, for her ability to inspire students to take an interest in organic technology, for her willingness to help in any situation, and for her teaching within the University of the Third Age (U3V) programme. Graduates of her courses also very positively evaluate her constant work on further improving and updating her lectures.

Best Teacher – FET (Faculty of Environmental Technology)

Mgr. Ing. Marek Martinec, Ph.D.

Marek Martinec has long been engaged in field analysis with a specialisation in civil protection in cooperation with units of the Integrated Rescue System. His current research focuses on developing qualitative and quantitative models for the detection of psychoactive substances in the field using NIR spectroscopy. He receives the Vitriol Award primarily for his helpfulness towards students, whom he supports in research, writing and presentations, often well beyond the scope of his formal duties. Equally important are his long-term passion for teaching and his ability to convey information in an entertaining, kind, comprehensible and engaging way.

Best Teacher – FFBT (Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology)

Ing. Nikola Vrzáčková, Ph.D.

Dr Nikola Vrzáčková is professionally focused on cellular energetics, in particular on the influence of one of the key molecules – nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide – on the cells themselves. In the context of the Vitriol Award she received an incredible number of nominations despite the fact that she teaches courses with fewer students, such as biochemistry laboratory classes and seminars, and has been teaching for only a very short time. What students value most about her is her tremendous willingness to help, her perfectly prepared classes, and the above-standard effort she devotes to ensuring that students understand the subject matter.

Best Teacher – FCE (Faculty of Chemical Engineering)

doc. Ing. Alexandr Zubov, Ph.D.

Doc. Zubov’s professional work focuses on mathematical modelling of chemical engineering processes, in particular on identifying relationships between production-process conditions, the structure of materials on the nano-/micro-scale, and their resulting technical properties. Students appreciate his clear and engaging way of teaching, which links expert knowledge with practical examples and humour. Thanks to his enthusiasm, many students have decided to further develop their knowledge in the field of chemical engineering. Equally important is his openness and personal approach, especially evident during consultations, where he offers not only expert supervision and constructive discussions of results, but also creates a friendly atmosphere in which students feel supported. This unique combination of teaching quality and humanity makes him an exceptionally popular and respected teacher. Students also value Assoc. Prof. Zubov’s efforts to develop the study programmes at FCHI.

Best Teacher – University-wide Departments

Mgr. Jana Krajčová, Ph.D., M.A.

Students value in Dr Krajčová her passion for the subject, her complete openness when answering questions, her willingness to help with any problem, her sense of fairness and, above all, her ability to explain the material in such a way that even the weakest student can understand it. In every course she always gives students the maximum, even at the expense of her personal time, and she consistently approaches them with kindness and dedication.

Best Non-teaching Staff Member

Michal Tvrzník

Everyone who occasionally passes through the main entrance of Building A, or reads the Faces of UCT posts on the university’s Instagram account, knows the porter Michal Tvrzník. He receives the award for his friendly approach to students and staff, for his ability to brighten their day with a smile and a greeting – because even such a seemingly small gesture leaves a very strong impression – and finally for his endless willingness to help everyone far beyond the scope of his duties. The election committee concluded that very few people have such an ability to build community even from the position of a porter, who meets students and staff only briefly as they pass by.