Social, student and community services, culture and sports at VŠE

The University of Economics, Prague (VŠE) contributes to its local, national and international community life through a wide range of public activities by organizing educational courses and seminars, scientific conferences, cultural and sports events, as well as supporting charity and fund-raising events. Most of the events are open to the public.

The organizational and financial support of VŠE´s student organizations is another of the university´s objectives. Nearly 60 student organizations within the fields of diplomacy, economics, finance, information systems, logistics, management, statistics, diplomacy etc. together with culture and sports clubs are at VŠE.  Founding a student organization at VŠE is simple. VŠE students may apply at the President’s Office, i.e. they present the purpose of their activity and they must also have the participation of at least five full-time VŠE students. Financial aid is based on support from a grant awarded by VŠE’s President and Česká Spořitelna, a.s.

At the same time, VŠE promotes events and meetings of VŠE‘s alumni clubs such as those from the CEMS Alumni Association or International Business (IB) Program. For instance,  the annual IB Alumni Club meeting was held on 23rd November 2013.

VŠE also cares about the work life balance of its academic members and administrative staff, including their careers and family life. In September 2013, the university launched the operation of its own preschool project. It is designed for employees‘ children and is focused on each child‘s individual development stressing a healthy life as well as literacy in the natural sciences.

Seniors may study at VŠE as well within the concept of the University of the Third Age (U3A). The program is financed by the Ministry of Education and Youth of the Czech Republic. U3A organizes life-long learning in a friendly and stimulating environment. The range of courses enables the members to be involved with new learning experiences and to share skills and knowledge in such fields as international politics, finance or social and health welfare.  Successful graduates are awarded with a certificate from VŠE.

There is also a Centre for Handicapped Students available at VŠE. The project is focused on support for students with movement limitations as well as the blind. More than 30 students are using its services and in September 2013, the Centre organized a Job Fair “Without Barriers” for disabled students.

There are a lot of opportunities to participate in various cultural and sporting events at VŠE. In particular, 2013 was plentiful thanks to the 60th VŠE anniversary events such as the exhibition at the Faculty of Management in Jindřichův Hradec on 14th November 2013 or the ceremony in the National Theatre on 18th November 2013. VŠE also welcomes the arts into its academic community.  For instance, in September, the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) organized an folklore ballet event with the Chilean company BAFOCHI. In general, most events are organized by VŠE’s Chamber Orchestra, Film Club, Gaudeamus Folklore Group, Ekonom Prague Sport Club or Musica Oeconomica Pragensis.

VŠE supports and promotes charity fundraising organized by its bodies, student organizations or even cooperates with such organizations external to VŠE. For instance, VŠE supported on its premises “Flower Fight” – a traditional fundraising event organized by the League Against Cancer Prague (Liga proti rakovině Praha) held on Wednesday, 15 May 2013.