| 2000 | Folia Pharm. Univ. Carol. 25 | Pag. 109—111 |
In 1999, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové celebrated its 30th anniversary. Pharmaceutical studies have been connected with the Charles University in Prague since the medieval times. However, the University had no faculty specialized in pharmacy. Pharmacists were educated at the Medical Faculty, later also at the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science. After the World War II, pharmaceutical education continued in Prague and was newly opened in Brno. The first faculties of pharmacy in the then Czechoslovakia were established in 1952 in Brno and Bratislava. In the period 1960—69 only one faculty of pharmacy existed in Bratislava. Czech pharmacist strived intensively to restore pharmaceutical education in Bohemia. Their effort resulted in establishing Faculty of Pharmacy of Charles University in 1969. Hradec Králové was chosen as a seat of the new faculty.
The celebrations of the jubilee commenced in March 1999 with the 28th Pharmaceutical Ball in the Congress Centre ALDIS in Hradec Králové. On 22th April 1999, Concert of Czech Music took place in the Philharmonic Concert Hall in Hradec Králové. The concert was inaugurated by Prof. Eva Kvasničková, the Dean of the Faculty. Concerto for violoncello, h minor and six parts of Slavonic Dances by Antonín Dvořák were then performed by Michal Kaňka and Philharmonic Orchestra of Hradec Králové conducted by František Vajnar.
Some sport activities were also organized in spring. 24-Hours contest in basketball between mixed teams of the Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, and volleyball tournament in which students of pharmacy from Hradec Králové, Brno and Bratislava took part were held in April. International basketball tournament among mixed teams from universities of Berlin, Bratislava, Brno, Franfurkt am Main, Hannover and Hradec Králové took place in May.
Scientific meetings formed an integral part of the celebrations. MUDr. Oldřich Vinař, CSc., an outstanding expert in psychopharmacology, was invited to read a lecture concerning questions of modern psychopharmacology. Scientific Conference of Pharmacy Students took place in April, and the authors of the best contributions participated in the International Scientific Conference of Pharmacy Students together their colleagues from Brno and Bratislava in May. At the beginning of June, 3rd Workshop in Clinical Pharmacy took place in Hradec Králové. It was devoted to the problem of psychic disorders in elderly people. 10th International Conference on Flow Injection Analysis that was held in Prague in June was also organized on occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Faculty. In September, 28th Conference “Synthesis and Analysis of Drugs” and Symposium “Addictive Drugs in the Region of Hradec Králové” were included into the programme of the celebrations. Both events took place in the premises of the Faculty in Hradec Králové. 34th Symposium “History of Pharmacy” was organized as a part of the MEFA exhibition in Brno in November.
The celebrations culminated in autumn. On 8th September, members of the academic community, other employees of the Faculty and guests from both the Czech Republic and abroad took part in the meeting of the Scientific Board in the Great Hall of Carolinum in Prague. The addresses were delivered by Prof. Pavel Klener, the Vice-Chancellor of the Charles University, by Prof. Eva Kvasničková, the present Dean of the Faculty, by Prof. Jaroslav Květina, the first Dean of the Faculty, and by some invited guests. The meeting then continued with the performance of the Philharmonic Quartet from Hradec Králové. On 9th September the foundation-stone of a new pavilion was laid in the Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants. The garden belongs to the Faculty of Pharmacy, and the new building will include rooms for education and research activities as well as several greenhouses. On 10th September, the exhibition documenting history and development of the Faculty was re-opened in the Gallery on the Bridge that is also a part of the Faculty. The exhibition was originally installed on occasion of the 650th anniversary of the Charles University in 1998. In 1999 it was re-installed especially for the alumni of the Faculty who came to Hradec Králové on 11th September to participate in celebrations. The programme further included discussions, films, and excursions to the Czech Pharmaceutical Museum in Kuks. In the evening all participants (about 800 people alltogether) met at an informal party in the Congress Centre ALDIS. Congress of the Czech Pharmaceutical Chamber was held on 12th September. On 20th October, the performance of N. V. Gogol’s play “Wedding” took place in the Klicpera’s Theatre in Hradec Králové. The celebrations ended on the memorable 17th November, when a organ concert was held in the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Hradec Králové to commemorate not only the 30th anniversary of the Faculty of Pharmacy but also the struggle of Czech students for freedom and democracy in 1939 and 1989.
Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové is an integral part of the Charles University in Prague. During 30 years of its existence more than 3,600 pharmacists were educated at the Faculty, included 70 from abroad. About 135 students have completed postgraduate (doctoral) studies so far, and 167 people attended so called “Third Age University”, a special course for elderly.
The Faculty has about 240 employees and its structure includes:
The Association of Czech Students of Pharmacy was founded in 1990 and is a member of International Pharmacy Student’s Federation. In 1997, the Association of Alumni and Friends of the Faculty of Pharmacy was established.
The Faculty offers two courses: “Pharmacy” and “Biomedical Analysis”. It is opened to foreign students, too. Research activities are also of a great importance.
RNDr. Veronika Opletalová, Ph. D.