Faculty grows, values remain

For over 20 years, technology, creativity, education, research and innovations have been inextricably linked with the Faculty of Information Technology. Pavel Zemčík has served as the head of the faculty for the past six years. "20 years is an ideal time to recall the foundations of the faculty and to think about how we can further strengthen them in the future," he says.

Is the faculty, as you see it today, the result of an evolution or rather a revolution?

I would say that it's certainly the result of an evolution. The people who work at the faculty embody FIT and the vast majority of them do a good job and are loyal to BUT.  On top of that, most of the people who founded the faculty are still working there. Thanks to this, we are able to maintain good relations and stand up for the original values, such as correctness and openness.

What makes the faculty different today than it was 20 years ago?

The structure and focus are still the same and we maintained our outreach into many areas of IT with an emphasis on technology and hardware. But it goes without saying that the faculty is growing and evolving. We have updated our study programmes and, compared to 20 years ago, we have many more students and applicants. We have also managed to establish many valuable co-operations, whether with foreign or Czech universities, researchers or companies.

You have linked your entire professional career to the faculty you helped to found, you also studied at BUT. If you made your decision today, would you still go study at the Brno University of Technology?

Definitely. Apart from the reasons which convinced me back in 1984, when I started my studies, such as high-quality education, good equipment and leading experts, I would also have a number of new ones. It would be a great chance of finding employment after graduation, good life-long prospects regarding employment, but also the chance to participate in international exchange programmes or to take part in top quality research. 

What is your current vision regarding FIT?

I wish it were a faculty educating ever more ingenious students, employing professional and helpful teachers and research workers achieving scientific results of ever-growing quality. The Faculty is widely recognised as a high-quality, solid and stable part of the Brno University of Technology; it would be great if we were able to increase the faculty's renown on a global scale both in terms of its academic results and its reputation and if it became an attractive partner for both pedagogical and research projects. Students of our faculty should be proud of their work and results and the overall faculty life should be supported by pleasant atmosphere, sound economic background and quality services for both the students and the employees.

How close do you think FIT is to this vision?

We have managed to pull through a difficult period caused by the pandemic and I don't think the faculty has managed to return to its earlier momentum and energy just yet. On top of that, we still don't know what is in store for us. If we manage to build relationships with students, innovate subjects, enhance our performance in science and research, and improve our contacts with the outside academic world, I think we will be on the right track. 20 years is an ideal time to recall the foundations of the faculty and to think about how we can further strengthen them in the future.