ALUMNI SCIENTIAE BOHEMICAE Z.S. ALSO KNOWN AS ASB SOCIETY
ASB society is a platform connecting students, young professionals, alumni with student organisations, companies and other institutions not only from the Czech Republic. Main aim is to provide support to young professionals and students from various research and education areas. ASB Society has over 100 members and collaborators and supporters. The most important projects organized by ASB Society are Chemistry Race, chemistry-based team competition, Expedition Mars youth competition and Journal of the ASB Society. Chemistry race is organized once in a year in cooperation with Cambridge University (Department of chemistry) and University of Pardubice (Faculty of Chemical Technology). Expedition Mars targets young people with a multidisciplinary focus who are involved in several activities within whole year. At the end of the program, the simulated five-days long mission takes place and test the skills and abilities of students. The Journal of the ASB Society (JASB) is a multidisciplinary open-access peer-reviewed science journal for young researchers. In the form of full-length articles, rapid communications and special issue articles, JASB aims to promote original high-quality research by undergraduate university and high school students.
Members of ASB Society also collaborate with Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MSMT) on annual preparation workshops. These workshops are focused on preparation of young professional and scientist for international competitions, such as European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS), Regeneron International Science and Engineering fair (ISEF), Interntional Wildlife Research Week, Swiss Talent Forum, etc. More about the activities can be found in the project section below:
Journal of the ASB Society (JASB)
The Journal of the ASB Society (JASB) is a multidisciplinary open-access peer-reviewed science journal for young researchers. In the form of full-length articles, rapid communications and special issue articles, JASB aims to promote original high-quality research by undergraduate university and high school students. The Journal of the Alumni Scientiae Bohemicae Society (JASB) is a pioneering publication set up to provide exclusively undergraduate, young professionals and high school students the opportunity to gain experience in scientific writing. It not only aims to alleviate the first contact hurdle with publishing pressure, but also to encourage and most importantly promote outstanding research by younger scientists. Another opportunity for submittees is to encounter proper writing form early on. All of this effectively leads to the simplification of possible future endeavors in impacted journals. More information is listed on the journal page: journal.asbsociety.com
Chemistry race (CZ, AUS, UK)
Chemistry Race is a chemistry competition for teams of 3-5 sixth-form students. Competitions is realised in Czech Republic (in collaboration with Faculty of chemical technology) and England together with Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge. The teams race against each other in solving chemistry problems; who gets the most points within the time limit, wins. More information can be found on the website of czech (www.chemiklani.cz) or English (www.chemistryrace.com) run of the competition.
Expedition Mars (2021-2023)
Expedition Mars in an international competition organised by NGO organisation “Alumni Scientiae Bohemicae”. Young Czechs and Slovaks ages 13 to 18 can participate, especially those interested in natural science and technology. The competition’s first year took place in 2004 and was initially named Expedice Vesmír, later on Expedice Space One and Space Two and since the year 2007 its name has stayed Expedition Mars. The competition is prepared by former finalists themselves. After finishing their year as participants they stay and go through special training and classes mandatory for all new organisers. Then, combining their experience from the competition and newly gained knowledge, they help improve Expedition Mars. The goal of Expedition is to find students that are truly curious, want to know how a space mission is created and are interested in natural sciences. At the same time they need to have the motivation to improve and evolve. Expedition is a stepping stone, which brings together talented young people from the Czech Republic and Slovakia and provides them with many new opportunities. More information at project webpage: www.expedice-mars.eu
SVOBODA BEZ HRANIC Z.S. /FREEDOM WITHOUT BORDERS
Freedom Without Borders is a non-profit organization founded in 2020. Its initial activity was supporting the student movement in Hong Kong through an open petition, which gathered over 2,000 signatures within a few days, primarily from academics, students, and other prominent public figures. The petition, along with the number of signatories, was delivered to then-Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.
In the early days of Russia’s aggression, Freedom Without Borders played an active role in providing immediate assistance to Ukraine and war refugees. Based on the urgent needs communicated by representatives of the Ukrainian Student Association and Lviv State University of Internal Affairs, the organization quickly assembled a shipment of humanitarian and defense aid. In total, nearly 7 tons of material were delivered to the designated locations, and on the return journey, 68 people were safely transported to reunite with their families.
The organization continues to engage in public life, participating in various commemorative events and responding to crises, which have become increasingly frequent in recent times.
For more information, visit www.svobodabezhranic.eu.
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL – ROTARACT
Rotary International, which also includes Rotaract Clubs worldwide, brings together more than 1.2 million members. These individuals are connected not only through friendships, professional relationships, and shared perspectives but, most importantly, by a desire to create positive change—not only within their communities and districts but also on a global scale.
Over time, a subgroup within Rotary emerged, specifically for young people aged 18 to 30. These young individuals share the same values as their senior counterparts in Rotary and strive to use their motivation, energy, and ideas to make a difference in the communities they live in.
In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, which are united under District 2240, there are currently 14 clubs with more than 250 members.