Since 2014, the Faculty of Physical Culture at Palacký University Olomouc has enjoyed a thriving partnership with one of Japan’s prestigious institutions in the field of sport and physical education — Nippon Sport Science University (NSSU). Over the past decade, this collaboration has been marked by regular exchanges of students and staff, shared research interests, and a common dedication to advancing knowledge in sport science.
The latest chapter of our cooperation unfolded in November 2023, when we had the pleasure of welcoming two esteemed representatives from NSSU — Ms. Sachiko Kizuka, International Center Coordinator, and Ms. Eiko Kaneda, Director of the International Center. During their visit, we engaged in fruitful discussions reviewing our ongoing partnership and the projects that enable our exchange mobilities. They also toured our faculty’s facilities, gaining a deeper insight into the environment that supports our academic and research activities. Our conversations focused not only on evaluating current initiatives but also on envisioning new strategies to strengthen and expand our collaboration in the coming years.
Student and staff mobilities remain a key pillar of this cooperation. In the fall semester of 2023, our student Daniel Kordula took part in an Erasmus+ exchange at NSSU, engaging in a variety of academic and sport-related disciplines. One year later, in the fall semester of 2024, another student from our faculty, Šimon Prokeš, followed in his footsteps, also experiencing the rich educational and cultural environment of NSSU. Both students highlighted the warm hospitality of the host institution, the opportunity to explore traditional Japanese martial arts, and the remarkable support offered by local students and staff.
In addition to student mobility, 2023 also saw the participation of NSSU teaching staff in our academic events. Dr. Koichi Nakazato, from NSSU’s Department of Exercise Physiology, joined our 22nd International Teaching Week. His contributions were a highlight of the event, with two engaging and thought-provoking lectures delivered to both Czech and international students: Effects of Alcohol-Metabolism Gene on Skeletal Muscle and Changes and Effects of Motor Nerves on Muscle Atrophy and Strength Loss. Dr. Nakazato also met with Assoc. Prof. Michal Botek and other colleagues from our Department of Natural Sciences in Kinanthropology to discuss ongoing projects and potential avenues for future collaboration.
Further strengthening this collaboration, our faculty member Jiří Buben visited NSSU in December 2024. His visit contributed to the academic exchange by fostering closer ties with NSSU colleagues and exploring avenues for future cooperation, including potential joint teaching and research activities.
We are very proud of the strong ties we have built with Nippon Sport Science University over the years. The mutual trust and shared commitment to academic excellence continue to bring valuable opportunities for both our students and staff. We look forward to many more exchanges, joint research initiatives, and new collaborative projects that will further enrich our partnership in the future.
