Jan Opletal Awards
Every year, on the anniversary of Jan Opletal’s tragic death, the SK RVŠ presents the Jan Opletal Awards. The Award is given to individuals in three categories: secondary school students, higher education students, and personalities under 30.
Nominations for the Award may be submitted by members of SK RVŠ, members of Díky, že můžem, z.s., academic senates of higher education institutions and faculties, or their student sections, as well as bodies of private higher education institutions performing a similar function to academic senates, the rector of a higher education institution or the dean of a faculty, or a group of at least three students of a higher education institution or a secondary school. Nominations may also be submitted by student councils, associations, and other student structures at secondary and higher education institutions, as well as legal entities established to support the development of higher education, academic self-governance, or the defence of students’ rights.
After the nominations are received, the Jan Opletal Award Committee is convened, headed by its Chair, who is usually a previous laureate of the Award. The president of SK RVŠ appoints the other members of the Committee in accordance with the rules set out in the Statute of the Award. Together, they review the submitted nominations and decide on the awarding of the Jan Opletal Award.
The Award was first presented by the Student Chamber in 2004. At that time, it was intended to be awarded annually. This continued until 2008, when it was not awarded. It was subsequently awarded in 2009, then in 2012, and between 2015 and 2021, it was awarded regularly at two-year intervals. Since 2023, it has been awarded annually in cooperation with Díky, že můžem, z.s.
