Miroslav Vlček Extraordinary Scholarship for Belén Otero Alvarado

The Study in Prague consortium awarded the Miroslav Vlček Extraordinary Scholarships on 4 December 2025 for contributions to the internationalisation of Prague’s public universities and the Czech higher education environment. The award is named after Professor Miroslav Vlček, long-time Vice-Rector for International Affairs at CTU in Prague. Professor Vlček played a key role in the creation of the Study in Prague consortium, an association of Prague public universities that helps attract international students to study in Prague.

The scholarship is awarded annually to international students who not only excel academically, but also actively participate in university life, support other international students and promote the good name of studying in Prague and in the Czech Republic. Each of the universities involved in the Study in Prague consortium (AMU, CTU, CZU, Charles University, UCT Prague, the University of Economics and Business and UMPRUM) selects one laureate, who receives a one-time scholarship of CZK 30,000.

For the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, this year’s Miroslav Vlček Extraordinary Scholarship was awarded to Belén Otero Alvarado, a Biochemistry and Biotechnology student from Chile. Belén is the founder and driving force behind the student organisation FISO (Full-time International Students Organization), which supports long-term international students in adapting to their studies and life in the Czech Republic, organises welcome and community events, and systematically connects international students.

Belén played a key role in preparing and implementing the Orientation Week programme at UCT Prague – from creating practical materials for newcomers and leading campus tours to organising meetings with lecturers of challenging courses. She has been working closely with other student societies over the long term, helping to break down barriers between Czech and international students, while at the same time achieving excellent academic results. Through her activities and personal commitment, she contributes significantly to the internationalisation of the environment at UCT Prague.

The award ceremony, attended by representatives of all participating universities, also featured a speech by economist and philosopher Tomáš Sedláček, who emphasised the role of education and the importance of an international environment for the development of an open and well-functioning society. The musical programme was provided by Czech Philharmonic cellist Adam Klánský.

We congratulate all the laureates. We are proud that Belén studies at UCT Prague and greatly value the energy, time and care she devotes to the community of international and Czech students.