Distinguished Delegation from Texas and the Czech Embassy Visits FAI
12. October 2026On Thursday 8 October 2026, Tomas Bata University in Zlín welcomed a distinguished delegation from the United States, alongside representatives of the Zlín Regional Authority. The programme included an official reception by the university’s leadership, followed by a tour of the state-of-the-art laboratories at the Faculty of Applied Informatics (FAI) and the ITC Technology Park.
TBU has long placed great emphasis on close links between academia and industry. The University excels in transferring applied research outcomes and technical expertise into commercial applications, particularly in applied informatics, automation, advanced technologies and process engineering. This model of connecting education, research and regional development was the main focus of Thursday’s visit.
From the Rectorate to state-of-the-art robotics laboratories
The programme began in the morning with an official reception at the TBU Rectorate, where the guests were welcomed by TBU Rector Milan Adámek, Vice-Rector for Development Adriana Knápková and Dean of the Faculty of Applied Informatics Jiří Vojtěšek.
Following the initial meeting, the delegation proceeded to the Faculty of Applied Informatics. During a tour of the ITC Technology Park and the FAI building, the guests were introduced to the Faculty’s cutting-edge technological facilities by the Rector and the Dean. The delegation visited, among other facilities, the robotics laboratories and the CEBIA-Tech research centre.
Distinguished guests from the USA and the Zlín Region
The visiting delegation included representatives of Bexar County, Texas, the regional economic development agency greater:SATX, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, D.C., and the Zlín Regional Authority:
- Peter Sakai, Bexar County Judge, Texas
- Matthew Polanco, Chief of Staff, Bexar County, Texas
- Sarah Carabias-Rush, President and CEO of greater:SATX
- Shirley Frobish, Vice President of Global Talent Attraction at greater:SATX
- Jan Hladík, Head of the Economic and Commercial Section at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, D.C.
- Radim Holiš, Governor of the Zlín Region, accompanied by a delegation from the Regional Authority
Representatives of the Texas delegation and the Czech Embassy praised the high standard of FAI’s research infrastructure and the Faculty’s ability to develop innovative solutions with direct applications in industry. The visit opened up new opportunities for future international cooperation in technology, education and technology transfer between the Zlín Region and the United States.
Photo: Zlín Regional Authority