As a scientist, I had the opportunity to transfer some best practices from leading my Signal Lab team to the entire faculty. We succeeded in developing a culture of scientific work, launching the FEECS Journal Club, introducing a transparent system for evaluating and rewarding publications, and setting up the university’s Science Portal. Thanks to my position in senior management, I gained detailed insight into strategic processes – from drafting regulations, accreditations, and budgeting to long-term planning and the modernization and construction of new faculty infrastructure. Today, I can fully apply this experience to the development of five key pillars on which my program is built – excellent education, top-level research, strategic cooperation with industry, intensive international collaboration, and the long-term development of the faculty. This is why I see this experience as both a great responsibility and an advantage in the role of dean,” says Radek Martinek.
Already during the summer, he prepared concrete steps to ensure the faculty would feel the changes as soon as possible. A project department was established, the FEECS Innovation Hub is developing, and a partial restructuring of the Dean’s Office has taken place. Since September, representatives of all key departments have been participating in leadership meetings, bringing more people to the table. This eliminates poor information sharing and makes communication between departments faster and more efficient. “It is important for goals to be measurable, which is why I set clear KPIs that will show after four years what we have achieved,” the new dean emphasizes.
He also stresses the need to respond flexibly to the needs of students, labor market demands, and global developments in science and research. The faculty is therefore constantly modernizing its study programs. Thanks to the fact that VSB-TUO has its own quantum computer, a new specialization in quantum computing is now being prepared.
In the field of science and research, he sees enormous potential in interdisciplinarity. The strength of the faculty lies in connecting electrical engineering, electronics, power engineering, computer science, telecommunications, applied mathematics, physics, and cybernetics with biomedical engineering, artificial intelligence, as well as with industry, medicine, energy, and space research. “We have been successful in transferring scientific research into practice, whether in cooperation with car manufacturers, hospitals, or heavy industry. Going forward, it is essential to strengthen the quality of publications in the most prestigious journals and further develop international cooperation,” he explains.
The faculty already cooperates with a number of industrial partners, and the dean wants to further develop this area, as companies show enormous interest in contract research.
“Currently, a new TL4 building is under construction, which will offer unique infrastructure – a testing polygon for automated mobility, a unique laboratory for trucks, and a state-of-the-art lab focused on advanced signal processing methods. Cooperation will continue to expand, and the faculty is a key player for our industrial region.”
He sees the current boom in technical education as the greatest opportunity the faculty must not miss. “Artificial intelligence, space research, quantum computing, supercomputers, automated mobility, power engineering, robotics, biomedicine, next-generation networks, cybersecurity, and modern agriculture are fields in huge demand, and our graduates are finding 100% employment there. We are already carrying out prestigious projects and have a unique opportunity to integrate these trends into all our activities.”
And what does the dean wish students and staff for the new academic year? “I want every student, lecturer, and researcher at FEECS to be able to say: my work here makes sense.”
New leadership of FEECS
Prof. Ing. Radek Martinek, Ph.D. – Dean
Assoc. Prof. Ing. Petr Krejčí, Ph.D. – Vice-Dean for Master’s Studies and Legislation, Statutory Deputy of the Dean
Assoc. Prof. Ing. Petr Šimoník, Ph.D. – Vice-Dean for Industry Cooperation and Commercialization
Prof. RNDr. Václav Snášel, CSc. – Vice-Dean for International Cooperation and Project Activities
Assoc. Prof. Ing. Lenka Skanderová, Ph.D. – Vice-Dean for Science, Research, and Doctoral Studies
Ing. Lukáš Danys, Ph.D. – Vice-Dean for Bachelor’s Studies and Teaching Development
