12.09.2025
On 11–12 September 2025, Škoda Auto University in Mladá Boleslav hosted the Forum of Marketing Departments. Nearly twenty university departments gathered in the Education Centre Na Karmeli to share their experiences, present research projects, and discuss the future of marketing education.
“I was pleased to see the broad participation of colleagues from Czech and Slovak universities and our shared interest in discussing visions for marketing education in 2035. For many participants, this was also their very first visit to Škoda Auto University. The outcomes of the forum will also be reflected in the upcoming issue of the journal Marketing a komunikace published by the Czech Marketing Society,” explained Assoc. Prof. Pavel Štrach, Ph.D., Ph.D., Head of the Department of Marketing and Management, which organised the event on behalf of ŠAU.
The forum took place in a year when Škoda Auto University celebrates 25 years of its existence. “It was a great honour for us to connect this anniversary with an event that brought so much inspiration and many genuinely pleasant encounters. We spent two days full of not only expert insights but also numerous personal reflections and stimulating ideas,” added Ing. Hana Volfová, Ph.D., member of the Department of Marketing and Management at ŠAU.
The programme featured a keynote lecture by Ing. Pavel Plíhal of Škoda Auto on Corporate Identity and Design, followed by short presentations in which the individual departments shared their “Vision of Marketing Education in 2035.” Participants also had the opportunity for informal discussions, both during the formal session and at a joint dinner. The second day was dedicated to an excursion to the Škoda Auto production plant and Škoda Museum, offering an insider’s look into the Škoda brand.
The forum also helped to foster closer cooperation among institutions, departments, and colleagues. According to preliminary agreements, the next annual forum is expected to be hosted by the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Department of Trade and Finance, which will celebrate its 35th anniversary.
We sincerely thank all colleagues for the wonderful atmosphere, stimulating ideas, and we are already looking forward to meeting again next year.
