19.09.2025
This year’s celebrations of the 25th anniversary of Škoda Auto University culminated in the ceremonial launch of the publication “25 Years in Stories”, held on 18 September 2025 at the Education Centre Na Karmeli. This commemorative book narrates the story from the very beginnings of the idea to establish a private university through to the present day. The anniversary publication was officially launched in the presence of distinguished guests, including Klaus Zellmer, Chairman of the Board of Management of Škoda Auto, Milan Šprencl, representative of the KOVO Trade Union, Mayor of the city of Mlada Boleslav Jiří Bouška, Ondřej Krejcar, Rector and Director of ŠAU, Petr Šulc, Vice-Rector for Study Affairs and Quality Management of ŠAU, and the book’s authors Hana Volfová and Radek Štěpánek.
The ceremonial launch of the book became the highlight of the celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of Škoda Auto University. Published under the title “25 Years in Stories – Škoda Auto University”, the book captures key moments in the school’s history, told through interviews and stories of representatives of Škoda Auto and the KOVO Trade Union, academics, employees, partners, alumni, and current students. In addition to looking back at the past and present, the book also presents the university’s vision for the years ahead. Following the launch, a stimulating panel discussion took place with those who stood at the school’s beginnings, shaped its path, and today define its direction. The discussion offered personal perspectives from leading figures in industry, academia, the city, and architecture, providing as complete a picture as possible of the journey spanning a quarter of a century.
Founded in 2000 by Škoda Auto a.s., ŠAU has, over the course of its 25-year existence, evolved from an institution with a primarily economic focus into a modern university offering a unique combination of economic, technical, and IT education, preparing its graduates to meet both current and future challenges of the labour market.
Klaus Zellmer, Chairman of the Board of Management of Škoda Auto, who attended the ceremonial launch in person, commented: „In today's rapidly changing world, navigating the challenges of the 21st century while maintaining our legacy of success as Škoda Auto is no easy feat. We need individuals who are equipped with knowledge, skills, and strong values – people who possess integrity and the courage to seek innovative solutions. Škoda Auto University excels in cultivating such individuals. “
Over the past 25 years, thousands of students from the Czech Republic and abroad have studied at ŠAU. The university can be proud of many significant achievements, ranging from the accreditation of its follow-up Master’s degree programmes, through the opening of the Education Technical Centre at Hejdovka, to the award of the prestigious American accreditation ACBSP, and ultimately obtaining institutional accreditation – as the first private university in the Czech Republic.
Rector and Director of ŠAU, Professor Ondřej Krejcar, added: "It is an honor for us to be able to celebrate this exceptional anniversary together with our key partners, colleagues, and especially with the highest representatives of Škoda Auto and representatives of the KOVO Trade Unions, the city of Mladá Boleslav, and representatives of the major companies Entry Engineering, AIKIT, and Adastra. Their presence is a symbol of our continued partnership and shared responsibility for the education of future generations."
The celebrations of ŠAU were therefore not only a reminder of the past, but also an opportunity to look ahead – to further innovations in education, the strengthening of cooperation with industrial partners, and to reinforcing the unique position of Škoda Auto University within the field of higher education.
The publication is available in two language versions and can already be purchased directly at the university.
Complete photo gallery from the book launch
Škoda Auto University: Škoda Auto University was founded in 2000 by Škoda Auto a.s., the largest car manufacturer in the Czech Republic. It is also the first private university in the Czech Republic to be granted institutional accreditation. This achievement is proof of the university’s excellence in providing quality education. Institutional accreditation represents a recognition of the overall quality of a higher education institution and obtaining it is a significant acknowledgment of ŠAU’s educational, research, and administrative capacities.
The university offers unique Bachelor’s and follow-up Master’s study programmes and specialisations combining economic and technical education. The Bachelor’s degree is 3.5 years in length and includes a financially remunerated compulsory internship in the 5th semester, which students undertake with leading employers not only in the Czech Republic but also abroad. Students of the follow-up Master’s programme can choose a six-week placement as part of their elective courses.
To deepen practical knowledge and skills, students of ŠAU benefit from the Education Technical Centre at Hejdovka, designed as a small factory, which – through cutting-edge technologies – links education, science, research, development, and innovation.
Teaching at ŠAU is delivered in Czech or English, in full-time or part-time form, in Mladá Boleslav or Prague, and is based on an individual approach to students.