Excellence lies in people. Rector honored personalities at 26th Academic Assembly of BUT

On Thursday, September 18, on the eve of the 126th anniversary of the university’s founding, members of the academic community, employees, representatives of university institutions, and other guests once again gathered after a year at the ceremonial academic assembly of Brno University of Technology. The participants recalled the historical roots of the oldest educational institution in Brno, as well as the current importance of technical education. Rector Ladislav Janíček reflected on the past year and presented academic awards to individuals who have contributed to the development of BUT.

After the opening and welcoming of guests, Miloslav Steinbauer, Chairman of the Academic Senate of BUT, took the floor. He recalled the names of distinguished scientists and engineers associated with BUT, such as Viktor Kaplan, Vladimír List or Miloš Zlámal. “These names remind us that technical education was not only about practical skills, but also about linking with research, which shaped the scientific and industrial infrastructure in our territory,” he said, adding that although industrialization is no longer a current issue, technology with its rapid transformations increasingly determines the future. “Our university embraces this vision. BUT today is not only a place where knowledge is transferred. It is a research center of European importance, responding to current social challenges.”

He also highlighted that technical education is not just about technologies, lectures, or experiments. “It has another perhaps more important dimension. It teaches us responsibility. It teaches us to understand that technology is a means, not a goal, and that technical progress only makes sense if it serves people and society.”

Rector of BUT Ladislav Janíček in his following speech focused, among other things, on the concept of excellence. “I am convinced that excellence must be sought primarily in our people, in employees and students alike. They are the essence and source of excellence at universities, as it is our people who achieve excellent results, and whose talent and abilities give the university’s excellence real meaning and determine its competitiveness. Without high-quality and motivated people with talent, skills, and the will to achieve the best results, any development strategy of any organization, including universities, is mere utopia,” he emphasized.

He also presented important events and achievements accomplished by representatives of BUT over the past year, which helped to raise the university’s profile both at home and abroad. “Today, we will recognize some of these individuals for their outstanding results. The successes we commemorate at this assembly are the result of joint work—by individuals, teams, faculties, and practice partners. They also reflect the belief that BUT remains a university looking ahead, able to rely on the solid foundations of both past and present. With respect and pride, I thank all those whose work, determination, and dedication shape the good name of our university. I wish this ceremonial assembly to be not only an expression of gratitude to the awardees but also an inspiration for all of us,” concluded the rector.

During the 26th academic assembly, the Rector of BUT awarded seven gold, ten silver, and seven commemorative medals. He also presented a total of 50 Rector’s Awards and further awards for the best teachers.

Gold Medals

• prof. Michal Gabriel, akad. soch. – a leading Czech sculptor, pedagogue, and a prominent figure in contemporary postmodern art. Since 1998, he has been with the Faculty of Fine Arts at BUT, where he has long headed the Sculpture Studio and served as the dean of the faculty from 2007–2011. He is a pioneer in combining traditional sculptural techniques with digital technologies. He was awarded the Gold Medal for his exceptional contribution to artistic education and for the development of the academic community and BUT.

• prof. Ing. Jozef Kaiser, Ph.D. – is one of the top experts in physical engineering, particularly in laser spectroscopy and X-ray micro- and nanotomography. He was awarded the Gold Medal for his outstanding contributions and results that have significantly contributed to the development of BUT in the areas of education, research, development and innovation, technology transfer, and international cooperation.

• prof. Ing. Jiří Mišurec, CSc. – is a long-standing key academic staff member at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication at BUT. His professional work focuses on computer modeling of data and telemetry systems for energy, the development of measurement devices, and secure data transmissions for power lines. Since 2014, he has headed the Department of Telecommunications at the faculty. He was awarded the Gold Medal for his exceptional contributions and results that have significantly contributed to the development of BUT in the areas of education, research, development and innovation, and collaboration with industry.

• Dr. h. c. prof. h. c. prof. Dr. Ing. Oliver Moravčík – a leading Slovak expert in automation and informatics, with a long association with the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, where he served as rector from 2021–2025. He was awarded the Gold Medal for his long-term and active cooperation with BUT in the areas of education, research, and development and for his significant contribution to the development of partner cooperation between universities within the EULiST European University Alliance.

• prof. Ing. Petr Stehlík, CSc., dr. h. c. – is a prominent figure at BUT and a recognized expert in process engineering. Since 2000, he has headed the Institute of Process Engineering at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at BUT, which has achieved a high pedagogical and scientific level under his leadership. At the faculty, he also initiated the establishment of the NETME Centre research and development center. He was awarded the Gold Medal for his exceptional and lifelong contributions that have significantly contributed to the development of BUT in the areas of education, research, development and innovation, and collaboration with industry.

• prof. Ing. arch. Vladimír Šlapeta, DrSc., Hon. FAIA, Hon. FRIBA – a leading Czech architectural historian, a recognized pedagogue, and a respected figure on the Czech and international architectural scene and a prominent figure at BUT. He has significantly contributed to the development of the field through exhibitions and publications as well as pedagogical work at the Faculty of Architecture at BUT and abroad. Since 2006, he has been the head of the Department of Theory and was at the head of the faculty from 2006–2010. He was awarded the Gold Medal for his exceptional lifelong achievements that have contributed to the development of BUT in the areas of architecture, art, design, and other creative activities.

• prof. MUDr. Jiří Vorlíček, CSc. – a recognized and respected physician, oncologist, and university pedagogue who has significantly contributed to the development of oncology and hematology, not only in the Czech Republic but also at the international level. He has played a significant role in the development of the University Hospital Brno. He has a long-standing association with BUT—he was a long-time member of the Board of Trustees and is a member of the Council for Art, Design, and Architecture. He was awarded the Gold Medal for his lifelong and exceptional contributions in the areas of education, research and development, and support for creative activities, and for his long-term active role on the BUT Board of Trustees.

Silver Medals

• doc.Ing. Lubomír Klimeš, Ph.D. – for exceptional results in the areas of education, research and development, and internationalization, which have contributed to the development of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at BUT,

• prof. MgrA. Lenka Klodová, Ph.D. – for exceptional results in the areas of education, art, and other creative activities,

• doc. Dr. Ing. Dušan Kolář – for exceptional results in the areas of education, research, development, and innovation,

• prof. Ing. Jaroslav Koton, Ph.D. – for exceptional services to the development of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication at BUT,

• doc. Ing. arch. Jiří Oplatek – for lifelong achievements in the areas of education, architecture, art, design, and other creative activities and internationalization,

• doc. Ing. Otto Plášek, Ph.D. – for lifelong achievements in the areas of education, research, development, and innovation,

• Ing. Jan Ručka, Ph.D. – for exceptional results in the area of research, development, and innovation,

• Lenka Shromáždilová – for excellent results in the areas of education and organizational activities,

• prof. Ing. Martin Trunec, Dr. – for exceptional results in the areas of education, research, development and innovation, and other creative activities,

• Security@FIT research team – for exceptional results that have contributed to the promotion of BUT in the areas of research, development, and innovation,

BUT Commemorative Medals

• Dr. techn. Ing. Hermann Detz – for his long-term significant contribution to the scientific and international reputation of BUT and for publication cooperation with prestigious world universities,

• Ing. Edita Hejátková – for her long-term significant contribution to the development and promotion of BUT and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication at BUT, especially through professional, organizational, and popular-scientific activities,

• Zdeněk Juříček – for his long-term professional, dedicated work in technical and organizational support activities at the Faculty of Information Technology at BUT,

• Ing. arch. Zdeňka Koňaříková – for her long-term, highly professional, and effective cooperation in improving the infrastructure quality of the Faculty of Chemistry at BUT,

• doc. Mgr. Pavel Korbička – for his long-term significant contribution in the area of pedagogical and organizational activities and for successful national and international representation of the Faculty of Fine Arts at BUT,

• Ing. Dana Rubínová, Ph.D. – for her long-term significant contribution to the development and promotion of BUT in the areas of pedagogical and organizational activities at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at BUT,

• doc. Ing. Pavel Šteffan, Ph.D. – for his long-term significant contribution to the development and promotion of BUT and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication at BUT, especially through professional, organizational-popular, and scientific activities.

Rector's Awards for BUT Students and Graduates

For excellent results in scientific preparation through doctoral studies

• Ing. Anton Firc
• Ing. Jan Fučík, Ph.D.
• Ing. Stevan Gavranovič
• Ing. Vojtěch Jašek
• Ing. Zuzana Kadlecová
• Ing. Michal Michalec, Ph.D.
• Çağatay Mert Oral, Ph.D.
• Xia Peng, Ph.D.
• Ing. Ondřej Wojewoda, Ph.D.
• MgA. Jiří Žák

For excellent results in master's studies

• Ing. Petra Laciková
• Ing. Petr Liška
• Ing. David Mihola
• MgA. Barbora Novotná
• Ing. Dominik Rabatin
• Ing. John Richard Ritter
• Ing. Michaela Zbudilová

For excellent results in bachelor's studies

• Bc. Adam Valík
• Bc. Antonín Putala

For excellent results in sports representation of BUT

• Ing. Petr Horvát
• Bc. Michaela Křížová

For the development of student activities

• Chicken Wings student team
• favu label student team
• Students for Students student club

BUT Rector's Awards for Extraordinary Scientific and Artistic Outputs

For a publication with an exceptionally rapid positive response from the scientific community

• prof. RNDr. Martin Pumera, Ph.D.

For a publication with an exceptional impact on the scientific community

• prof. RNDr. Josef Jančář, CSc.
• Ing. Petr Lepcio, Ph.D.
• Ing. František Ondreáš, Ph.D:
• Ing. Juraj Svatík

For a publication with an exceptional contribution by the BUT team to the scientific community

• Ing. Vlastimil Bílek, Ph.D.
• Ing. Radoslav Novotný, Ph.D.
• Ing. Jan Kopík, Ph.D.
• Ing. Martin Kadlec
• doc. Ing. Lukáš Kalina, Ph.D.

For an exceptional applied result

• doc. Ing. Petr Blaha, Ph.D.
• Ing. Luděk Buchta, Ph.D.
• Ing. Matúš Kozovský, Ph.D.
• prof. Ing. Pavel Václavek, Ph.D.
• Ing. Jiří Janoušek, Ph.D.
• doc. Ing. Petr Marcoň, Ph.D.
• prof. Ing. Luděk Žalud, Ph.D.

For an exceptional conference paper

• Ing. Roman Andriushchenko
• doc. RNDr. Milan Češka, Ph.D.
• Ing. Filip Macák

For an exceptional work of art

• doc. MgA. Jan Šrámek, Ph.D.

For an exceptional architectural work

• doc. Ing. Michal Palaščak

For a result with an exceptional media response

• prof. Ing. Jiří Jaroš, Ph.D.

For a bonus extraordinary result
(not covered by other awards, editor's note)

• Ing. Daniel Dolejška
• Ing. Matěj Grégr, Ph.D.
• Ing. Vladimír Veselý, Ph.D.

Rector's Awards for "Best Teachers According to Student Evaluations at BUT" in the 2024/2025 Academic Year

Best teachers according to students in master's studies

• Ing. Albert Bradáč, Ph.D. at the Institute of Forensic Engineering
• prof. Ing. Jiří Jaroš, Ph.D. at the Faculty of Information Technology
• doc. Ing. Petr Rozmahel, Ph.D. at the Faculty of Business and Management
• Ing. Jan Řiháček, Ph.D. at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
• doc. Ing. Petr Sedláček, Ph.D. at the Faculty of Chemistry
• Ing. Soňa Šedivá, Ph.D. at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication

Best teachers according to students in bachelor's studies

• Ing. Anna Derevianko, Ph.D. at the Faculty of Chemistry
• Ing. Pavel Mráček, Ph.D. at the Faculty of Business and Management
• Mgr. Josef Rebenda, Ph.D. at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication
• doc. Ing. Petr Sedlák, Ph.D. at the Center for Sports Activities
• Ing. Aleš Smrčka, Ph.D. at the Faculty of Information Technology
• Ing. Petr Viewegh, Ph.D. at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

During the evening, the Brno Graduation Brass musical ensemble and the BUT choir Vox Iuvenalis, founded and led by conductor Jan Ocetek, performed.

Source: vut.cz/en

 

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Responsible person	Ing. Zdeňka Koubová
Date of publication	25.09.2025