Code of Ethics for Teaching Staff at the Faculty of Informatics
On 16 February 2024, the Academic Senate of the Faculty of Informatics approved
the Code of Ethics for Teaching Assistants at the Faculty of Informatics. This code sets out the standards governing teaching assistants’ approach to their teaching and to students, as agreed by the academic community of the Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University. It supplements and clarifies the provisions of the MU Code of Ethics in the context of teaching assistants at the Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University. Its purpose is to contribute to high-quality teaching at the Faculty of Informatics, the professionalism of teaching assistants and a fair approach towards students.
Research Ethics at MU
The Research Ethics Committee deals with the ethical aspects
of research carried out at Masaryk University involving human subjects, including work with biological material of human origin. The Research Ethics Committee assesses projects from all departments at Masaryk University except the Faculty of Medicine.
If you have any queries regarding obligations arising from legislation relating to research ethics, please contact
the research lawyers.
Regarding classified information, please contact the MU Security Director,
JUDr. Naděžda Horynová, Head of the Control Department at the MU Rector’s Office.
Plagiarism is defined as the use of other sources without properly citing them where an original work is expected. This also includes negligent or inaccurate citation of the literature used, or the omission (even if unintentional) of a citation for a source that has been used. When producing academic texts, it is essential to adhere to the rules of citation and publication ethics. Detailed information can be found on
the MU website at Plagiarism .
Linked to the issue of plagiarism is the question of how to detect instances of plagiarism. At Masaryk University, a specialised application integrated into the MU Information System is used to detect potential instances of plagiarism. The application is publicly available on the Theses.cz website. The system for detecting similarities in text enables the comparison of documents contained within its database. Using
the ‘egg-to-egg’ function, it is possible to find documents with similar content to a given document, i.e. potential instances of plagiarism. This tool can be used by lecturers, administrative staff and students. Below you will find information and a link to the training session
‘Plagiarism and the similarity search application in the MU Information System’, as well as guides on how to avoid plagiarism.
Protection of rights and proceedings aimed at protecting rights
Masaryk University is committed to the protection of rights as set out in the MU Code of Ethics, in measures for the implementation of
the HR Award and in other documents. Masaryk University has established processes to ensure that these rights are protected at the University in an effective, impartial and efficient manner, and to ensure that assistance is available, as well as protection for whistleblowers and victims of infringements of these rights.
The protection of rights is governed by
MU Directive 1/2023 on the Protection of Rights, as amended with effect from 15 September 2025.
Detailed information on the protection of rights can be found on
the MU website Protection of rights
The Rights Ombudsman at MU is
JUDr. Eva Janovičová. The role of the Rights Ombudsman
is also known as an ombudsman or ombudsperson. Students, prospective students, as well as staff and alumni, may contact her for assistance if they believe that their rights or those of others have been infringed.
The Rights Defender can be contacted in the following ways:
in person via a pre-arranged consultation with the Ombudsman,
via MU’s data box, ID: 9tmj9e4,
MU’s central or electronic registry,
by post, marked ‘for the attention of the Ombudsman’, to the MU address.
The mechanism for reporting problematic behaviour at MU
An overview of the mechanism for reporting problematic behaviour at MU, prepared
by the University-wide Ombudsman’s Office, can be downloaded
HERE.
Discrimination and Unequal Treatment
Cases
of discrimination and unequal treatment are dealt
with by the Equal Opportunities Panel. The MU Equal Opportunities Panel is an advisory body to the Rector of MU, assessing issues relating to compliance with the principles of equality and the prohibition of discrimination at MU. It considers matters referred to it by the Rector of MU or the MU Ombudsman. Members of the panel are appointed and dismissed by the Rector of MU. The Panel is governed by its Rules of Procedure, which were issued by
Masaryk University Guideline No. 1/2016, as amended with effect from 1 January 2024.
Processing and protection of personal data
Detailed information can be found in
the MU GDPR portal, which contains links to MU’s central information systems that process personal data. The links lead either to a page containing information on the processing of personal data within the relevant system or to a page providing access to the user’s personal data within that system. This serves to support the rights of data subjects (MU staff, students and external collaborators) to access their personal data and to ensure transparency in processing activities.
The Data Protection Officer is
Mgr. Iva Zlatušková, Head of the MU Data Protection Officer’s Office.
News, guides and training for staff
NKC Workshop – Gender and Science: Intimate Relationships in Higher Education and Research Environments
On
16 September 2026, from 10.00 am to 1.30 pm, the third NKC workshop of the year – Gender and Change, Communities for Change – will take place on the topic of Intimate Relationships in the Workplace in Higher Education and Research Environments.
The aim of the workshop is:
To deepen understanding of the topic of intimate relationships in the workplace within academic and research settings, and to analyse the various situations and challenges associated with this topic.
To apply existing experience and knowledge of the local context when identifying appropriate measures at the level of individual institutions.
To support and strengthen discussion of the issue of intimate relationships in the academic environment.
This year’s third Community for Change workshop will focus on the various contexts and forms of close relationships, as well as their dynamics and impacts on the working and study environments. Participants will have the opportunity to share experiences, discuss specific situations and reflect on policies and measures that can contribute to a fair, safe and supportive working environment.
If you are interested in attending, you must
register for the event by 28 August 2026 using this
form.
A new e-course, ‘Protection of Soft Targets’, has been launched
From 7 April 2026, FI staff can complete the new MU e-course ‘Protection of Soft Targets’. The e-course was developed by the Security Department of the MU Rector’s Office. The online training focuses on how to behave in crisis and high-risk situations in relation to the protection of soft targets.
The e-course focuses on how to:
spot warning signs and recognise potentially risky situations in good time,
know how to react when a threat is already present,
understand who to contact and how to communicate in such a situation,
be clear about how to proceed after an incident and who to contact.
The new e-learning course features short videos with practical demonstrations and has been created specifically for the needs of MU. You can find the e-course in the relevant section of the
‘Training’ application
in the Information System.
Annual Report of the University-wide Rights Protection Unit for 2024
The MU University-wide Rights Protection Unit has published its Annual Report for 2024. In it, the MU Ombudsman,
JUDr. Eva Janovičová, together with her team, provides a comprehensive overview of the Unit’s work across various categories. It focuses not only on complaints from individuals who believe that their own or others’ rights have been infringed, and on statistical data in this area, but also on development activities carried out in the field of social safety (e.g. the creation of the eonline course on ‘Social Safety in the Academic Environment’, the creation of the TRUST Leaders and TRUST Team workshop programmes, and the organisation of the ‘Respect Right Up to the Attic’ workshops by Konsent).
From the complaints received in 2024, the University-wide Rights Protection Unit drew up recommendations concerning the following areas:
human resources,
student relations,
the university’s systems,
recommendations for the entire university community.
The Annual Report of the University-wide Rights Protection Unit for 2024 can be found
HERE.
A new e-course, ‘Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer’, has been launched at MU
From March 2025, staff at the Faculty of Informatics (FI) will be able to complete MU’s new e-course “Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer”. The e-course was developed by the MU Centre for Technology Transfer based on requirements from MU’s faculties and departments, which is, amongst other things, in line with the implementation of the HRS4R strategy in connection with HR Award certification.
Do you know the difference between a patent and a trade mark? What is a genuine and a non-genuine spin-off company? Do you know what to do if you develop an invention together with colleagues from another university?
Thanks to the new e-learning course on the MU IS, you’ll gain a clear understanding of intellectual property and technology transfer at Masaryk University. You’ll learn the basic concepts that will be useful to you in a university setting, find out who to consult on matters of intellectual property and technology transfer, and you can also look forward to examples of inventions that have been developed at our university. You can find the e-course in the relevant section of the
‘Training’ application
in the Information System.
New MU e-course: “Social Safety in the Academic Environment”
On 1 July 2024, a new MU e-course entitled ‘Social Safety in the Academic Environment’, developed by the MU University-wide Rights Protection Unit, was launched in the MU Information System. Completion of the course is voluntary.
In the course, staff will learn what social safety is, how it can be undermined by inappropriate behaviour, how to recognise inappropriate behaviour, how to intervene, and who to turn to if you need a helping hand. The course builds on Masaryk University’s mission, which includes contributing to a free, cohesive and safe society. It is only through the members of its university community that the university can fulfil this mission. Through their participation in the academic environment, they embrace the values of respect, freedom and responsibility, which are also reflected in MU’s Code of Ethics.
By completing the course, staff will become familiar with Masaryk University’s established guidelines for maintaining a safe and healthy educational and working environment, in which no member of the university community is exposed to inappropriate behaviour.
‘Respect All the Way to the Top’ * Academic Workshops
On
9 April 2024 at 4.00 pm, a practical, interactive workshop entitled ‘Respect Right Up to the Attic * Academic’ will take place at the MU Rector’s Office (Kounic Hall, 5th floor), a practical, interactive workshop entitled ‘Respect Right Up to the Attic * Academic’, which is aimed at students wishing to gain a basic understanding of the issue of sexual harassment within the specific context of Czech universities.
Registration form.
On
7 May 2024 at 9.00 am, a practical, interactive workshop entitled ‘Respect Right Up to the Attic * Academic’ will take place at CERPEK (Komenského nám.) a practical, interactive workshop entitled ‘Respect on Campus * Academic’, which aims to provide staff with information and tools that form part of the preventative approach to addressing sexual harassment, bullying and violence on campus. The workshop serves as an introduction to the topic of sexual harassment. Further information and the registration form can be found on
the CERPEK website.
On
16 May 2024 from 10.00, the workshop ‘Respect on Campus II’ * Academic will take place at CERPEK (Komenského nám.). The workshop is intended for those who have already attended the introductory workshop ‘Respect on Campus I’. We will explore the topic of gender-based violence and sexual harassment in a broader context and link it to related themes such as intersectionality, physical and psychological violence, economic and financial violence, and sexual and cyber violence. We will deepen our understanding of the bystander effect and, through a practical exercise, practise how to speak to a victim of harassment. Further information and the registration form can be found on
the CERPEK website.
Staff from the Human Resources Department and the Department of Doctoral and International Studies at the Faculty of Informatics took part in these workshops.
Lecture: “Copyright in the context of generative AI”
On
2 April 2024 at 14:30 ( room A217), a lecture will be held as part of the Computer Science Colloquium on the topic of
‘Copyright in the context of generative AI’. The speaker is Assoc. Prof. JUDr. Matěj Myška, Ph.D., from the Faculty of Law at Masaryk University.
Abstract: “Generative artificial intelligence (AI) presents a significant challenge to copyright law, raising fundamental questions about authorship, ownership and infringement. This talk will explore the evolving landscape of copyright in the context of generative AI, addressing key principles, priorities and practical considerations. It will examine the tension between AI as a mere tool and as an author, the implications for copyrightability, and the potential for infringement. The discussion will also cover the need for collaboration, adaptability, and the preservation of human creativity in the face of mechanistic outputs. By delving into these complex issues, the talk aims to provide insights into the intersection of generative AI and copyright law, offering guidance for stakeholders and policymakers in navigating this rapidly evolving field." This abstract was generated by perplexity.ai when prompted "Please create an abstract for an academic talk entitled 'Copyright Aspects of Generative AI'". Is this output copyrighted? Who is the author? Are there any rights attached to this output? Who could exercise them, and how is this regulated contractually in the Terms and Conditions of the most popular providers of AI services? Does training the AI system constitute copyright infringement? In my talk, I will focus specifically on these questions within the EU and Czech regulatory frameworks. The cases currently being heard by US courts will also be discussed.
Lecture: Ethical Challenges and Building Integrity in the Academic Environment
Abstract: We encounter ethical issues on a daily basis, whether in our private, professional or academic lives. This workshop will provide a space for discussion on key aspects of whistleblowing and ethical challenges in the academic environment. We will explore various perspectives on this issue, from both local and global viewpoints, and examine research findings and potential solutions with the aim of promoting integrity and ethics in education. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss these topics openly, and together we will focus on strategies for how students can actively promote academic integrity and a culture of openness, fairness and accountability at their university.
Programme:
The role of student representatives in the counselling system (Mgr. Dagmar Čaďová, Counselling Centre)
Introduction to the university-wide ombudsman’s office (JUDr. Eva Janovičová, MU Ombudsman)
Lecture: Ethical Challenges and Building Integrity in the Academic Environment (Ing. Veronika Krásničan, academic ethics expert)
The lecture will take place at
the Faculty of Informatics on 4 April 2024 at 6.00 pm in lecture theatre D3.
The Faculty of Informatics at Masaryk University is a proud recipient of the HR Excellence in Research Award, a European certificate of quality for HR processes.
