Michal Navrátil
29. January 2025Mgr. Michal Navrátil was one of the first graduates of the English Language for Managerial Practice programme at the Faculty of Humanities. He earned his master’s degree in Management of Non-profit and Social Services at the Faculty of Multimedia Communications at UTB.
Since 2019, he has been working at the Centre for Language Education, which provides foreign language teaching across all faculties at UTB. Thanks to his experience as a lecturer and his role as a senator in the Academic Senate of UTB and FHS, he has a comprehensive understanding of university operations. He is also actively involved in projects as part of the university’s third mission.
You are a graduate of the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Multimedia Communications. During your studies, did you consider becoming a lecturer at UTB? In what ways did the university inspire you during your student years with regard to your future career?
I remember that during grammar school, I toyed with the idea of eventually becoming a teacher. However, I chose to study a combination of English and economics and let that idea go. Ironically, I still found my way back to teaching (and UTB), so it seems it was meant to be.
The university inspired me mainly through the human approach of the vast majority of academic staff towards students.
I noticed this during my student years, and now I strive to do the same. I hope I succeed, at least a little.
You have experience teaching at several faculties. How do the challenges you face as a lecturer differ across faculties? The greatest challenge (and at the same time the greatest joy) for me has always been people and working with them. Students at each faculty have their own specific characteristics, so a teacher moving between faculties must always be aware of where they are and adapt their approach accordingly. What works for students at one faculty may not necessarily succeed elsewhere, and vice versa. However, this diversity makes teaching more varied and prevents it from becoming routine, so I genuinely appreciate this challenge.
I know it sounds like a cliché, but that’s just how it is.
If I had to choose one project, it would be the digitalisation of teaching, which I worked on with my colleague Mgr. et Mgr. Kristýna Kovářová. The task sounded simple: to present a few basic grammar topics in short, recorded explanations. At first, we thought it would be easy since we’ve been doing this our whole lives. However, we soon realised that speaking into a camera, without any audience feedback that we normally rely on, can be quite disorienting. It turned out to be a slightly bigger challenge than we had anticipated.
What motivated you to run for the Academic Senate of FHS and UTB? What topics are priorities for you as a senator?
Several reasons led me to run for the senate. Firstly, it’s an opportunity to participate in shaping the university’s direction, thereby directly or indirectly improving life for its staff and students. It’s also, of course, a chance for professional growth, and, last but not least, my FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), which doesn’t let me sit back and miss out on new experiences. I am most interested in topics concerning favourable conditions for work and study at the university. It’s important that staff and students feel comfortable and supported in the academic environment.
Since joining the university, you have been involved in several projects. Could you introduce them? Which was the most interesting for you?
All the projects were interesting, and each one gave me something different. I have gained new knowledge and skills and also learned a lot about myself.
As one of the first students of FHS (between 2005–2008), did you notice the so-called “third role” of the university? Do you see any progress in this area?
Honestly, I don’t remember much about how I felt back then. I was aware of University of the Third Age courses, and I occasionally attended lectures or workshops for the public. I perceive a significant positive change in how much more visible the university is today. This is closely related to the rise of social media around 2008. Thanks to this, public awareness of our activities has grown, which I see as a major opportunity we need to keep building on.
You are a member of the team at the newly established Centre for Education Support (CPV). What have you organised so far, and what can we look forward to?
Within CPV, we have organised workshops and placements for teachers, certified courses for professionals in helping professions, and events for pupils. I was responsible for events for schoolchildren, where the centre facilitated a total of eight interactive educational activities for children, pupils, and students from kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools in the Zlín region. We also organised a scientific conference for primary schools, where pupils presented the results of their research activities. Additionally, in cooperation with my colleague Petra Hanáčková, M.A., M.St., we arranged professional placements for secondary school students in companies, healthcare facilities, and cultural institutions across the Zlín region.
You can look forward to the second annual scientific conference for schoolchildren. After last year’s smaller pilot event, we aim to make it even more impressive. I hope to see you all there!