Professor Igor Ivan has become the youngest rector in the university’s history and is currently the youngest rector among all public universities in the Czech Republic. The new leadership’s primary goal is to strengthen the university’s prestige on both the national and international stage.
As the former Vice-Rector for Strategy and Cooperation, the newly appointed Rector Igor Ivan brings both continuity and a modern approach to university leadership. “My priority is to enhance communication, openness, collaboration with industry, and to implement new trends in education. We need a clearer and more transparent portfolio of study programs, supplemented with fields that are newly in demand by society. We must improve student success rates, incorporate AI literacy into education for all students, and offer high-quality lifelong learning courses to businesses,” said Igor Ivan, the new Rector of VSB-TUO, outlining his vision.
Professor Igor Ivan will lead the university for the next four-year term. Alongside him, four new vice-rectors were introduced and inaugurated, who will jointly shape the future direction of the third-largest technical university in the Czech Republic:
- Jiří Pokorný – Vice-Rector for Strategy and Legislation
- Lenka Kauerová – Vice-Rector for Studies
- Jan Platoš – Vice-Rector for Science, Research, and Doctoral Studies
- Marek Pagáč – Vice-Rector for Cooperation and International Relations
Changes for the University’s Future
The inauguration of the new rector and vice-rectors marks the beginning of a new chapter in the university’s history. VSB-TUO aims to continue attracting top scientists and students from both the Czech Republic and abroad, strengthening its reputation and becoming a valued partner not only for industry but also for the international academic community.
The changes planned by the new leadership team are intended to ensure that VSB-TUO can flexibly respond to today’s challenges — from digitalization and artificial intelligence to energy transition, security, and, not least, demographic trends. In the field of science and research, the new leadership aims to strengthen applied research, the commercialization of results, and closer links with industry. The university campus itself is expected to play a greater role for the city and the region and should become more open to the general public.
“We want to be an open, modern, and confident university. We must further connect research with real-world practice and offer students an inspiring environment where new ideas and solutions are born. The future of higher education lies in the courage to change and to adapt to the evolving needs of society. I believe that together with the new team, we will take VSB-TUO to the next level,” emphasized Rector Ivan.
A Ceremonial Inauguration with Distinguished Guests
The inauguration ceremony was attended by members of the academic community, rectors from Czech and international universities, representatives of industrial partners, public officials, and other distinguished guests. The event was opened by outgoing Rector Václav Snášel, who expressed gratitude to the academic community and his colleagues for their support during his time in office. Václav Snášel will continue his academic work at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, where he will serve as vice-dean.
The ceremony also included the inauguration of the new Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Radek Martinek.
Professor Igor Ivan was elected by the Academic Senate of VSB-TUO in April 2025, securing a majority of votes in the first round. He was officially appointed by the President of the Czech Republic at Prague Castle on August 26. Since 1945, when VSB-TUO began operating in Ostrava, the university has had 12 rectors — Professor Igor Ivan is now the 13th to hold this prestigious position.
.jpg?attachmentId=4651&image=true)
.JPG?attachmentId=4650&image=true)
