He will succeed the current rector, Prof. RNDr. Václav Snášel, CSc., whose term ends on the last day of August.
Prof. Igor Ivan, currently serving as Vice-Rector for Strategy and Cooperation, was elected by the Academic Senate of VSB-TUO during its April session, where he received a majority of votes in the first round. The rector's term lasts four years, meaning Prof. Ivan will lead the university until August 31, 2029.
“Taking over the leadership of VSB – Technical University of Ostrava is a great honor and responsibility for me. In recent years, we’ve experienced remarkable progress and have become one of the leading universities in the country. We’ve succeeded in increasing student enrollment and accelerating research and development activities. We have highly motivated students, unique infrastructure, and top-tier staff. My role is to build on this momentum, but above all, to enhance the university’s visibility, ensure the practical application of our results, and strengthen both national and international prestige,” said the newly appointed rector. His inauguration will take place in the University Auditorium of VSB-TUO on September 9, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
As Vice-Rector, Prof. Igor Ivan served for six years and was responsible for the university’s strategy and cooperation with its partners. He contributed to the development of strategic documents and led major projects such as REFRESH and U!REKA SHIFT, which advanced the university in the fields of science, research, and international collaboration.
Since 1945, when VSB-TUO began operating in Ostrava, twelve rectors have led the university; Prof. Igor Ivan will become the thirteenth. The university he will lead is the largest in the Moravian-Silesian Region and currently educates more than 13,000 students from both the Czech Republic and abroad.
Photo credit: Office of the President of the Republic
Photographer: Zuzana Bönisch