In 1999, the accreditation of the Faculty of Medicine was completed. The results of the accreditation are favourable and include the accreditation of post-graduate studies as well as that of proceedings to confer the degrees of associate professor or full professor.

There have been changes in the organizational structure of the Faculty. Two new departments were established: the University Oncological Centre (UOC), coordinating all those interested in oncology in the South Moravian Region, and the Clinic of Geriatry, Nursing and Family Medicine, conforming to the present needs of the ageing population.

The main priorities in scientific research activities were in the field of neurological science, cardiology, the study of questions related to civilisation illnesses, and oncology. The research projects in these fields received the largest support and were based on a combination of approaches involving both primary and clinical research. The high intensity of research is apparent from the overall number of publications both in the Czech and foreign press as well as from the number of monographies and teaching texts produced. In 1999, the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic awarded nine grants to research workers at the MU Faculty of Medicine (two of which required joint co-operation with other institutions); the Internal Grant Agency awarded 49 grants (five of which were in co-operation with other institutions). In line with tradition, Faculty members took part in research projects organized by the Higher Education Development Fund. These included 11 research projects. The overall number of research projects was 79 (including four research plans and one related to the Higher Education Research Intensification Project).

Changes towards the greater vertical flexibility of studies continued to be endorsed, in keeping with European trends. A new catalogue of subjects taught at the Faculty of Medicine was included in the university-wide information system.

Clinical pharmacology was included among the clinical subjects (as an elective) in the study programme of general medicine; the chance to take a one-week internship at a different clinic of internal medicine was included in the pre-graduation practical training of internal medicine.

Apart from the traditional study of medical science, Bc. (Bachelor’s) courses of study were pursued at the Faculty of Medicine, including physiotherapy, optics and optometry, human nutrition, and nursing.

The Rules of Study were reworked (including regulations concerning the accepting of new students, disciplinary rules, as well as study and scholarship regulations) so that they might conform to Law No. 111 on Schools of Higher Education.

The system of teacher evaluation, whereby students assess the quality of teaching by means of surveys of opinion taken at the end of a particular course, was continued. The results of these surveys were presented at the regular meetings of the Dean's Advisory Board, while possible conclusions were discussed with the Heads of Departments.

New student cards and student nametags were introduced.

Scholarships for excellent results (an average mark of 1.0 throughout the course of study) were awarded to three students on the occasion of their graduation: Radek Kroupa, Jolana Müllerová and Jitka Vršková.

The number of beds at the halls of residence available to medical students continues to be inadequate. To accommodate all students in their first to sixth year, only 336 beds were made available to the Faculty of Medicine, while the overall number of applications reached 713. For the allocation of beds at the halls of residence, a waiting list was strictly adhered to, its most important criteria being the study results and the social background of the applicant as well as the distance to his or her permanent address.

The Faculty continued to meet the standards of international co-operation as stipulated in12 agreements signed with four institutions from the USA and various European countries. Our teachers went on 363 study trips abroad (304 in Europe and 59 overseas). Fifty-seven percent of these involved active participation at conferences and six percent were fellowships. The other cases included professional trips for partnership co-operation, lecture series given abroad, various courses and training programmes, and trips to present critical reviews.

Teachers at the Faculty of Medicine are members of approximately one hundred international scientific societies and non-governmental organizations. They are committee members in 13 international scientific organizations and honorary members of nine international scientific organizations.

During the summer vacation, our undergraduate students had a chance to enter temporary employment in foreign hospitals. Ten students took part in summer working trips, in line with agreements made with the University of Dijon, France. The Faculty provided some financial support to 15 students travelling abroad. This assistance was mediated by the international student organization IFMSA, while one student was given assistance by the W.I.S.E. Foundation.

The teachers of the Faculty published a large number of articles in the Czech as well as foreign press. The very names of the periodicals attest to the high academic standard of these works. In the Czech press, altogether 967 articles were published, while in foreign periodicals, 266 articles appeared. Eighteen monographs and 47 teaching texts were published. The Faculty of Medicine continues to publish its journal Scripta Medica, where original scientific works are published in English. The journal is excerpted. Four original scientific monographs were published in the edition entitled ‘Acta Facultatis Medicae’, and the new ‘Edition of Continuous Education in Medicine’ was started, already comprising three titles.

In 1999, the following Faculty members received awards from MU:

The following Faculty members received national and international awards:

The following Faculty members were awarded honorary membership of professional societies:

Distinctions for publishing activities were conferred on the following Faculty members:

Prizes conferred by international congresses were awarded to the following Faculty members:

• Dr. Tomáš Kára – Young Investigator Travel Grant Award of the European Society of Cardiology; Young Investigator Travel Grant Award of the European Society of Hypertension; first prize for best lecture in the ‘Heart Rhythm Foundation’ (Sixth Czech Symposium of Arrhythmic Disorders and Cardiostimulations) under-35s’ competition
• Prof. Dr. Ivan Rektor – Poster of the Day Award, 11^th ICEMGCN

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Martin Krbec – Prize for the best lecture (International Congress of Spondylosurgery in Ústí nad Labem)