Tomas Bata University in Zlín

Founded in 2001, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Czech Republic, offers courses in technology, economics, health care and the arts. Its origins go back to a technology vocational college set up in 1969, and its name celebrates the founder of the shoe industry in Zlin. Most courses at Tomas Bata are in Czech. BAs in Information and Control Technologies and English for Business Administration, as well as MAs in Business Administration, Finance, IT, Management and Marketing, Integrated Systems in Buildings and Security Technologies, Systems and Management are also available in English. All graduates are assessed based on the European Credit Transfer System, which means that degrees from TBU are internationally recognised. International students make almost ten per cent of the total student body, and they come from over 40 countries. The student organisation Buddy System Zlin was especially created to organise activities such as trips for international students. Some of the university’s most successful research has so far focused on the rheology of polymers, enzymatic hydrolysis of leather-processing waste, know-how in the manufacture of prophylactic footwear, historical footwear. These were undertaken by the Faculty of Technology and the Polymer Centre. The University Institute, another research centre, also runs the Technology Park at TBU in Zlin - a collaboration between the university and the business sector in the area. The campus offers accommodation and sports facilities, such as two gyms and a fitness centre. For other sports such as ice skating, swimming, skiing, tennis, bowling, hiking, horse riding and fishing, students have the town of Zlin at their disposal. In terms of cultural activities, the town hosts the annual International Film Festival for Children and Youth, but it also has rock clubs, art galleries, a theatre and an orchestra as well as a Shoe Museum, a Classic Car Museum and the Museum of South-East Moravia. TBU’s academic staff has included Economics Professor Milan Zeleny, Professor Karel Kolomaznik, winner of the Rolex Award for Enterprise, Professor Berenika Hausnerova, a UNESCO-L’OREAL Award for Women in Science winner and others.