The Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies (FRDIS) entered the new year not only with a new calendar number, but also with a new management headed by Dean Ondřej Konečný. At a meeting with staff on 6th of February, key challenges and changes, the strategic direction of the Faculty and the significant investments in the academic environment in 2025 were presented.
One of the important topics of the meeting was the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. The faculty management wants to motivate students as well as teachers and researchers to use it extensively, both in teaching and in the preparation of papers. It is essential to educate students to use AI for content creation as well, and to take it for granted that they must then transparently state and cite this fact. The approach of using AI in individual courses will be clearly described in course syllabi and introductory course materials. FRDIS students can already enroll in an AI-focused course.
A major challenge in the current year in the field of education will be the modification of the method of completion of bachelor’s degree programmes. As of the academic year 2027/2028, it is planned to exclude the defence of the bachelor’s thesis from the framework of the state final examination. Students will be able to choose between a bachelor’s project, which focuses on practical skills, and a bachelor’s degree, which is more theoretical in nature, during their studies (presumably semester 5). “By choosing between the two options, we give students the opportunity to choose a way of working and acquiring competences that is more suited to their needs and future career. More communicative individuals with a desire to apply their results and link them to practice will choose the bachelor’s project, while more analytical and theoretical-minded learners will choose the bachelor’s study. By doing so, we motivate students to take responsibility for their education, to be flexible and thus be able to respond adequately to the current major changes in the labour market.” said Dean Ondřej Konečný.
Helena Lorencová, Vice-Dean for Conception and Development, presented the plan for the development of the Faculty’s strategic plan for the period 2026+. It will be very beneficial to involve the academic community in its development through surveys and working groups.
Vice-Dean for Foreign Affairs Lenka Zouhar Ludvíková informed about the implementation of the OP JAK project. In addition to supporting education, the project will modernize the faculty’s infrastructure, including a new air conditioning system in the auditorium (2025), expanded Wi-Fi coverage, new coworking space and renovation of PC equipment (2026). In 2027, investments will be directed to the environmental and social studies laboratories.
The Secretary of the Faculty, Maciej Molak, reiterated and explained the measures in the areas of attendance, foreign travel and the project agenda. To improve coordination, regular meetings will be held between project investigators and project managers. The faculty uses the Trello platform for efficient project management. At the same time, the faculty has an internal website “Looking for solutions” where employees can find information and assistance in their duties in the areas of attendance, IT, PR, science and research, student affairs and project management.
The meeting with the staff confirmed the faculty’s direction to modernize education, improve infrastructure, and support the academic and professional skills of students and staff.
Within the framework of the university-wide project OP JAK, the faculty focuses on the development of the academic environment not only by investing in premises, but also by strengthening the professional skills of academic staff. The aim is to reduce student failure rates, improve mobility, innovate study programmes and strengthen links with practice.
In addition, investments in infrastructure for PhD teaching (PhD infra) are planned, including for example eye tracking technology, powerful computers for GIS or gaming boxes. These innovations will support better scientific work and the modernisation of the research environment at the Faculty.
The FRRMS leadership emphasized the importance of these changes for the future of the faculty and encouraged the academic community to actively engage in the discussion and implementation of the strategic plans.
In Brno on 6th of February.
