We are motivated to help Ukraine. BUT welcomed guests from Dnipro, Ukraine, including representatives of two universities

Brno University of Technology welcomed Ukrainian guests on Monday 22 April. The delegation from the Dnipropetrovsk region, led by Deputy Regional Chairman Iryna Hrytsai, included representatives of the state administration, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as two universities operating in Dnipro, the region's capital of one million people. The guests appreciated the support they perceived in the Czech Republic and expressed interest in inter-university cooperation, for example, in the field of exchange programmes, space or information technologies and, in general, in the involvement of Ukrainian scientists in joint research programmes.

"Like many other Czech schools, the Ukrainian flag flies on the building of the rector's office of BUT. We want to express our support for the Ukrainian struggle for independence. We are motivated to help Ukraine as much as we can," said Miroslav Doupovec, Vice-Rector for Studies at BUT, in connection with the war with the Russian aggressor that has been going on for more than two years.

"I would like to thank you for all the support we feel and receive from you here. Last year's visit of the Czech President Petr Pavel to our region was of great importance for us, when we understood that we were not left alone," emphasized Iryna Hrytsai.

Dnipro University of Technology (DUT) and Oles Honchar Dnipro National University (DNU) presented themselves during the meeting. DUT is the oldest university of the region, which, like VUT, celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. It consists of 7 faculties and 6 research institutes with more than 10,000 students.

DNU was founded in 1918 and named after the prominent Ukrainian writer Oles Honchar. It has 14 faculties and 46 research laboratories, and, among other things, works closely with the local space centre to develop satellites and rockets. It is also involved in the development of drones and renewable energy sources. The university has around 25 000 students.

"Research and development of space technologies as well as cybersecurity, information technology and other strategic topics represent our common interests," confirmed Iveta Šimberová, Vice-Rector for Internationalization and External Affairs at BUT, also recalling the BUT's efforts to open the way for mobility of students or teachers from non-EU countries, including Ukraine.

Students from Ukraine at BUT and their support

There are currently 375 Ukrainian students studying in Czech study programmes at BUT. Ukrainian applicants have also submitted 601 applications to study in these programmes in the academic year 2024/25. There are 28 Ukrainian students studying in English fee-paying study programmes and the university has registered 18 applications for the new academic year. Applicants from Ukraine are most interested in studying at the Faculty of Information Technology, the Faculty of Business and Management and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication Technologies. Currently, a total of 28 employees of Ukrainian origin also work at BUT.

After the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, BUT launched an information website for Ukrainian applicants, as well as for students and employees from Ukraine already working at BUT.

Applicants interested in studying at BUT who have been granted temporary protection in the Czech Republic in connection with the armed conflict on the territory of Ukraine are exempt from the application fee and the assessment fee for previous foreign education from 28 March 2022.

In addition, in the process of assessment of previous studies (nostrification), BUT offers free preliminary consultations to applicants from Ukraine: "Compared to the time before the outbreak of war in Ukraine, we observe an increase in Ukrainian applicants for nostrification at BUT. The most frequent applicants are from electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and civil engineering. At BUT, it is possible to take advantage of consultations - a preliminary assessment before submitting an application, which will facilitate the selection of a study programme and a university in the Czech Republic that matches the applicant's previous education," explains Hana Odstrčilová, Head of the Student Affairs Office at BUT.

After February 2022, the Faculty of Fine Arts of BUT was actively involved in helping Ukraine, organizing a total of three artwork sales exhibitions, which brought in almost half a million crowns to the fundraising accounts in support of Ukraine.