Tomas Bata University in Zlín

Junior University®

This year’s jubilee 10th edition of the Junior University for the youngest students began, as usual, with a ceremonial matriculation, marking their formal induction into the academic community.

The popular summer event, themed Zlín – My City, was once again organised by the Department of School Pedagogy of the Faculty of Humanities from 10 to 14 July 2023.

The entire week emphasised collaboration among the faculties of Tomáš Baťa University, whose academic staff enthusiastically and actively contributed to the programme. A robotics workshop organised by the Faculty of Applied Informatics (FAI) garnered significant attention, allowing children to experiment with robots and unconventional materials. Equally exciting was an exploration of healthy and unhealthy foods, where the Faculty of Technology (FT) guided children in creating their own ice cream – a treat they eagerly enjoyed. The Faculty of Multimedia Communications (FMK) also took part, hosting an exhibition focused on visual communication and automotive advertising design.

Our faculty held a popular English workshop using engaging teaching methods, while a first-aid workshop attracted great interest. Here, children not only learned about the importance of first aid but also gained practical skills that could prove invaluable in life.In addition to the above, the children participated in a rich variety of other activities, acquiring fascinating knowledge, new insights, and, most importantly, having fun. The Brotherhood of Dog Paws prepared a Canis therapy programme for Junior University participants, while the Tomáš Baťa Memorial organised

At the Film Node, children tried their hand at creating animated films. The programme also featured treasure hunts and plenty of outdoor activities. A significant portion of the educational programme was prepared by students from the Preschool and Primary School Education programmes.
The Junior University concluded on Friday with a ceremonial graduation ceremony, which is always a memorable experience not only for the youngest university students but also for their parents, grandparents, and friends. As part of this year’s jubilee edition, the students selected a distinguished personality to receive the honorary title of Doctor Junior Honoris Causa. This year, the honorary doctorate was awarded to the Rector, Prof. Milan Adámek. Another honorary guest of the Junior University was Deputy Mayor of Zlín, Ing. Martina Hladíková.

Special thanks go not only to all those mentioned above but especially to the children themselves, whose curiosity and inquisitiveness continually amazed and energised us. A heartfelt thanks also go to the instructors – the oldest participants – who joyfully assisted with various activities, supervised younger participants, and meticulously documented the event through videos and photographs, providing a vivid depiction of the “Junior University” at the graduation ceremony. With the Junior University now behind us, seeing the happy children reminds us once again that it was all worth it.