Visit of the President of the Czech Republic to IT4Innovations

Rector of the university, Václav Snášel, and Vice-Rector for Strategy and Cooperation, Igor Ivan, presented the key activities of VSB – Technical University of Ostrava. “We had a unique opportunity to share with the President how strongly VSB – Technical University of Ostrava is focused on technical field of studies, economics, and security studies, and that it ranks among the most dynamically developing universities in the Czech Republic. We place great emphasis on research and development in the fields of energy, materials engineering, and information technology – and more recently also in space research and defence, where the university works closely with industry,” summarised Rector Václav Snášel, highlighting the main topics of the discussion. Thanks to intensive investments and success in international grant competitions (such as the CLARA project), VSB-TUO is able to carry out cutting-edge research with a high return on public funding.

In addition to the most significant achievements in research and development in its history to date, the university's representatives were also able to highlight a growing number of applicants and the high employability of its graduates. “Thanks to investments in state-of-the-art equipment, close cooperation with industry, and high-quality research, the university is becoming an attractive destination for top experts from both the Czech Republic and abroad. Just last year, over 100 new researchers joined the institution. Such a remarkable influx of talent is unprecedented in the Czech Republic. It has a positive impact not only on the quality of research and collaboration with businesses but also on students and prospective applicants, who increasingly see technical disciplines as a promising path. By connecting key partners, we are creating an environment that fosters innovation – innovation that contributes to regional development as well as to addressing a number of global challenges,” added Vice-Rector for Strategy and Cooperation, Igor Ivan, in his introduction of the university.

Another part of the presentation focused on the activities of the IT4Innovations National Supercomputing Center at VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, introduced by its Director, Vít Vondrák. IT4Innovations is involved in prestigious European initiatives such as the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, which is responsible for building Europe’s most powerful computing and data infrastructures, quantum computers, and so-called AI Factories. One such example is the LUMI AI Factory, which provides Czech research institutions, startups, industry, and the public sector with access to its services. A truly exceptional highlight of the programme was the introduction of the first quantum computer in the Czech Republic – VLQ – operated within the LUMI-Q consortium. “It is currently one of only six quantum computers co-funded by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking. Having the quantum computer physically hosted here at IT4Innovations presents a unique opportunity to connect it with our classical supercomputer Karolina, enabling so-called hybrid quantum-classical computing, which currently holds the greatest potential for practical applications,” explained Vít Vondrák, Director of the National Supercomputing Center, as he introduced this cutting-edge technology to the President. The VLQ quantum computer will be made freely accessible to the Czech academic community, and both private and public sector entities will also be able to apply for access. Use cases for quantum technologies include security and defence (e.g. cyberattacks, cryptography, advanced logistics), the development of new materials, industrial manufacturing (e.g. optimisation of production processes), and healthcare. Within the CLARA project, the quantum computer will be used alongside artificial intelligence tools to support research into neurodegenerative diseases.

During the event, a call was made for the systematic support of key future technologies, without which it will be impossible for the Czech Republic to maintain its competitiveness in science, industry, or public services. Through their research and by educating experts in high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, VSB–TUO and IT4Innovations are contributing to the modernisation of the Czech economy and society.