VSB - Technical University of Ostrava

Founded in 1849, VSB - Technical University of Ostrava (VSB-TUO) is a Czech public university with a long tradition in high-quality engineering education and research. These traditional core values have been continually updated to reflect current state-of-the-art technologies and the ever-evolving needs of industry. VSB-TUO has strong links to industry and thrives on applied research, in cooperation with companies and institutions worldwide, in finding innovative solutions to modern day issues.

Study at VSB-TUO places an emphasis on practical training, whilst investigating real problems from today’s state-of-the-art industries, using the latest software and instruments. In many subjects 50% of the coursework is practically oriented, perfectly complimenting the advanced theoretical instruction, and ensuring that graduates have gained the education and experience sought by employers the world over.

The University's day-to-day activities and long-term strategy are intertwined with a commitment to social responsibility at all levels. VSB-TUO has been building an extensive complex of activities that popularise science and technology.

VSB – Technical University of Ostrava (VSB-TUO) is a national leader in high-performance computing and energy systems, with a 5G network connecting key infrastructure, including our supercomputer centre, a smart factory, our e-health system, a centre for additive manufacturing with 3D printers, as well as a vast sensor network to create a Live Industry 4.0 Laboratory.

The R&D mission of VSB-TUO is to support and develop excellent science, research and innovation with an emphasis on further enhancing the research activities of the individual faculties and research centres of the University in the field of interdisciplinary R&D&I activities based on cross-University cooperation (e.g. High-Performance Computing, Industry 4.0 or Energy Research) as well as working with international partners. An important criterion for support and implementation of R&D&I activities is the applicability of their results and the benefits for society and industry.

VSB-TUO supports the establishment of new contacts with foreign partners as well as the development of existing relationships, so that joint international projects can be submitted. Employees actively network and seek opportunities to involve the University in large international collaborations in R&D projects.

There are two major research institutes at VSB-TUO, IT4Innovations National Supercomputing Center (IT4Innovations) and Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies (CEET), that are engaged not only in the implementation of R&D activities in the field of basic and applied research, but also with the subsequent commercialisation of their results.

IT4Innovations is a leading research, development, and innovation centre active in the field of high-performance computing (HPC), data analysis (HPDA) and artificial intelligence (AI). IT4Innovations operates the most powerful supercomputing systems in the Czech Republic, which are provided to Czech and foreign research teams from both academia and industry. The key research areas of IT4Innovations include:

• big data processing and analysis
• machine learning
• development of parallel scalable algorithms
• solution of computationally demanding engineering problems
• advanced visualisation
• virtual reality
• modelling for nanotechnologies
• material design.

CEET brings under one roof four research centres of the University: the ENET Centre, the Nanotechnology Centre, the Institute of Environmental Technology and the Energy Research Centre. Together we develop new methods, materials and technologies for modern, low-carbon and sustainable energy in accordance with strategic documents at national and international levels. CEET shares unique laboratory facilities (led by experts in education, research, and development in the field of modern energy) with partners from industry, and other research organisations. All CEET activities are coordinated to meet priorities from a regional to an international level in accordance with strategic documents and with a strong emphasis on cooperation between research and application. CEET is a research and educational interdisciplinary scientific institute, focusing on the areas of:

• materials for energy and environmental technologies
• utilisation of secondary raw materials and alternative energy sources
• energy storage, transformation and management
• environmental aspects and technologies.

The University’s research and development strategy is based on four fundamental pillars:

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

Electrical │ Mechanical Materials │ Civil │ Safety and Security │ Biomedical and Biomechanical │ Environmental and Brownfields Management │Chemical │ Geological │ Geodesy and Geoinformatics │ Automotive │ Acoustical │ Transport Technology and Technics │ Nanotechnology │ Additive Technology

Institute of Environmental Technology

Nanotechnology Centre  

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND CYBER PHYSICAL SYSTEMS

Artificial intelligence │ Machine Learning │ Computer Vision and Image Processing │ Software and Process Engineering │ High-Performance Computing │ High-Performance Data Analysis │ Computational and Applied Mathematics │ Industry 4.0 │ Robotics

IT4 Innovations National Supercomputing Centre

ENERGY AND RAW MATERIALS

Renewable Energy │ Energy Accumulation │ High-Capacity Storage Systems │ Artificial Intelligence in Energy Management │ Energy Diagnostics │ Electromobility │ Energy Raw Materials and Their Processing

Energy Research Centre

ENET Centre

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL PROCESSES

Economics │ Finance │ Management Science │ Business Administration

VSB-TUO’s study programmes are built on a 170-year tradition. Currently there are almost twelve thousand undergraduates and graduates studying for degrees at Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD levels in engineering, IT, technology, economics and business administration. VSB-TUO also offers a wide range of English-taught courses for exchange students from all over the world.

Courses are provided by seven faculties:

• Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
• Faculty of Materials Science and Technology
• Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
• Faculty of Economics
• Faculty of Civil Engineering
• Faculty of Mining and Geology
• Faculty of Safety Engineering

The University follows the standard European Bologna Declaration and adheres to the standards set out by the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). This allows for ease of mobility for students via credit recognition. VSB-TUO has also been awarded the ECTS Label and issues the Diploma Supplement Label, which allows for international recognition of its Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degrees.

The foreign applicants and the foreign students of the 1^st year of full-time study of Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral study programme taught in English can be awarded with the Full-Degree Scholarship.

Exchange Programme students can apply for Georgius Agricola Scholarship.

Life in Ostrava

Ostrava is Czechia’s third largest city, a centre of industry and a university town in which students comprise approximately 14% of the population. It is a vibrant student city full of cultural and entertainment options. Ostrava is in an excellent location with superb public transport links meaning you can walk out of your door and travel to five European capitals within 4 hours for less than €20. Ostrava is also home to the Colours of Ostrava and Beats for Love music festivals, which host artists from around the world every summer.

Campus Life

VSB-TUO has the largest campus in the Czech Republic and one of the largest in Central Europe. The main campus of VSB-TUO is situated in the very pleasant surroundings of Ostrava-Poruba which is linked by excellent public transport to other parts of Ostrava, even at night.

The campus facilities are continually being improved, with the campus being home to cafes, beach-volleyball and tennis courts, football pitches, in-line skating and cycling tracks, pubs, clubs, and a recently opened Student Relax Zone, where students can meet, study and relax.

VSB-TUO is also home to its own art gallery and library, Prof. F. Pošepný Geological Pavilion and an Observatory and Planetarium, which offer a wide range of events which are open to the public. These include exhibitions, fairs, film screenings, talks, and activities for children and schools.