Bavarian Czech Summer school

The historic Music Hall of Speinshart Monastery provided the backdrop yesterday for the official launch of the Bavarian-Czech Summer School, a three-year program bringing together students from both countries to explore future technologies.

Over the course of one week, participants will collaborate with experts from universities and colleges on cutting-edge research topics. The inaugural year focuses on “AI and Robotics”, with a strong emphasis on practical application. Students will work hands-on with modern robots developed by the company Niryo and compete in a series of hackathons designed to test their problem-solving skills. Midweek, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) Regensburg for Upper Palatinate / Kelheim will lead excursions to BHS and TIKI, offering further insights into industrial innovation.

The opening ceremony was attended by a number of distinguished guests from politics and academia. Among them were Martin Schöffel, State Secretary at the Bavarian Ministry of Finance and Homeland and Chairman of the Advisory Board for Cross-Border Cooperation with the Czech Republic, and Tobias Reiss, Vice President of the Bavarian State Parliament.

Bavaria and the Czech Republic are characterized by strong innovative capacity, curiosity, and determination when it comes to new technologies. Thanks to an initiative of the Advisory Board for Cross-Border Cooperation with the Czech Republic, young people from both countries now have the opportunity through the Bavarian-Czech AI Summer School series to deepen their knowledge of Artificial Intelligence, develop creative ideas, and at the same time build valuable connections and gain new perspectives. This is a true benefit for both sides – not only for business and culture, but also for politics. I wish everyone an inspiring time and extend my heartfelt thanks to all who have made this AI Summer School series possible!

Martin Schöffel

Academic leaders also lent their support to the initiative, including:

• Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible, President of the University of Bayreuth
• Prof. Dr. Udo Hebel, President of the University of Regensburg
• Prof. Dr. Clemens Bulitta, President of OTH Amberg-Weiden

From the Czech side, Miloš Zelezný, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, represented his institution. The event was further honored by the presence of Lukáš Opatrny, Consul for Politics and Trade at the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Munich.

“We are delighted to welcome so many esteemed guests and to open this unique forum for cross-border collaboration,” organizers said, extending their thanks to the Bavarian-Czech Academic Agency (BTHA) for its strong partnership. Special recognition was also given to Prof. Dr. Tatyana Ivanovska und Jan Pospíšil, Ph.D., who will provide academic guidance throughout the program.

With the week ahead promising a rich program of research, practice, and exchange, the Bavarian-Czech Summer School at the HightechAbbey Speinshart is set to become a cornerstone for innovation and cooperation in the region.