01.01.2025
Škoda Auto University celebrates 25 years since its establishment: alongside its focus on economics, the university has expanded into technology and IT.
Škoda Auto University was founded by Škoda Auto a.s. in the year 2000. Over its 25-year history, the university has grown into an institution providing quality education to thousands of students not only from the Czech Republic but also from abroad. Its excellence and uniqueness are demonstrated by the fact that it is the first private university to hold Institutional Accreditation. This accreditation is a declaration of the overall quality of the higher education institution, and its achievement represents significant recognition of Škoda Auto University's high standards in education, creative activities, and all supporting activities, as well as its internal quality assurance system.
Initially established as a predominantly economics-oriented institution, ŠAVŠ now offers its students not only quality education in economics but also technical and IT-oriented education. This approach responds to the demands of the current labor market, where there is increasing demand for qualified professionals with comprehensive technical and economic education.
"From its modest beginnings, when 68 students enrolled in two study programs in its first year, ŠAVŠ has come a long way in its 25 years. I am personally very pleased to have been a part of many significant milestones the school has achieved on this journey. These include the accreditation of follow-up master's studies, the relocation of the school's headquarters to the wonderful Na Karmeli campus, obtaining international ACBSP accreditation, developing international collaboration within the Erasmus program, opening a branch in Prague and its subsequent move to VŠE premises in Jižní Město, accreditation of new technical and IT-oriented study programs, the opening of the Na Hejdovce Educational Technical Center, securing multiple GAČR and TAČR grants, implementing dozens of applied research projects, extensive lifelong learning activities, fulfilling the 'third role' of the university in engaging with the local community, the gradual innovation of teaching methods, launching a dedicated system for their development, and, most recently, this year becoming the first private university to obtain institutional accreditation and re-certifying the ACBSP accreditation. My personal satisfaction is further enhanced by having been surrounded by wonderful students and colleagues who inspire and command my deep respect throughout this time," says Mgr. Petr Šulc, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and Quality Management at ŠAVŠ.
The 25th anniversary is an opportunity not only to celebrate past achievements but also to look to the future. Škoda Auto University is preparing a publication marking milestones from its inception to the present day and outlining the institution's future vision.
"Currently, a key priority in our development vision is obtaining accredited doctoral study programs, which would grant us the status of a fully-fledged university. The school's vision also includes gradually increasing student numbers, which we are successfully achieving. For the winter semester of 2024/2025, we have enrolled the highest number of students in the school’s 25-year history, totaling 1,259 students," says Sandra Lacinová, CEO of Škoda Auto University.
As the university expands into technical fields, the establishment of the Na Hejdovce Educational Technical Center plays a critical role. This center deepens students' practical knowledge and skills by integrating education, science, research, development, and innovation through state-of-the-art technologies. It also serves as a hub for sharing the latest findings and best practices among industrial partners. Last year, in collaboration with Siemens and Aikit, a Technology Day was held at the center, featuring inspiring workshops and networking opportunities with experts from participating companies and academia.
"I am very pleased that we collaborate with experts from various companies and that Škoda Auto University contributes to numerous research projects," says Ondřej Krejcar, Rector of ŠAVŠ. "One such project, conducted with TA ČR for the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports in collaboration with VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, analyzed the current offerings of technical higher education in the Czech Republic. It collected feedback from graduates on the relevance and applicability of their education concerning their current employment, particularly in the automotive sector," adds the Rector.
The university is also a partner in the National Center of Competence for 3D Printing project by TA ČR. This project aims to enhance the potential of additive technologies through the efficient and ecological use of materials and energy, the development of materials with specific properties, the creation of new products, the design of suitable technologies, and digitalization to enable high levels of optimization.
Škoda Auto University has thus completed a successful 25 years of growth and development in all directions. Its exceptional position in the education market is confirmed by the continually increasing interest of applicants, and as an educational institution, it deeply values the trust of its students.
The anniversary celebrations will include a range of social events, including a Representative Ball with a 1920s theme, set to take place on March 21, 2025, at the Škoda Museum, and the launch of a publication narrating the story from the idea of establishing a private university to the present day.
Škoda Auto University:
We are a private university founded in 2000 by Škoda Auto a.s., the largest car manufacturer in the Czech Republic. We are also the first private university in the Czech Republic to obtain institutional accreditation, a testament to our excellence in providing quality education. The accreditation is a declaration of the overall quality of the institution and represents significant recognition of Škoda Auto University's educational, research, and administrative capacities. We offer unique bachelor's and master's degree programs and specializations combining economics and technical education. Our bachelor's degree program lasts 3.5 years and includes a paid mandatory internship during the fifth semester at top employers both in the Czech Republic and abroad. Master's students can choose a six-week internship as part of their elective courses.
To deepen practical knowledge and skills, students can benefit from the Na Hejdovce Educational Technical Center, designed as a small factory, integrating education, science, research, development, and innovation through cutting-edge technologies.
Teaching at ŠAVŠ is conducted in Czech or English, in full-time or combined formats, at campuses in Mladá Boleslav or Prague, and is based on an individual approach.