Strengthening international cooperation: Škoda Auto Vysoká škola and Shimonoseki University, Japan

On 24 September 2026, Škoda Auto University (ŠAVŠ) hosted Professor Takaaki Shochi from Shimonoseki City University, Japan. The purpose of the visit was to discuss specific opportunities for future cooperation between the two institutions, particularly in the areas of international student and staff mobility, research collaboration, and joint academic publications.

The meeting was attended on behalf of ŠAVŠ by Helena Chytilová, Vice-Rector for International Relations; Pavel Neset, Head of the Department of Economics and Management; Lukáš Herout, Head of the Department of Informatics; Romana Čižinská, a member of the Department of Finance and Accounting; and Denisa Římalová, Head of the International Office.

The programme also included a tour of the Educational Centre Na Karmeli in Mladá Boleslav and the laboratories at the Educational Centre Na Hejdovce, providing an opportunity to showcase the university’s facilities for teaching and practice-oriented education.

An important outcome of the visit was the signing of an agreement on staff exchange visits. The agreement was signed by Professor Takaaki Shochi on behalf of Shimonoseki City University and by Ondřej Krejcar, Rector of Škoda Auto University.

The meeting followed an official visit by the leadership of Shimonoseki City University in October 2025, when cooperation between the two institutions was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This established a foundation for further developing their partnership, and the universities are already planning their first student mobility activities.

The continued cooperation with Shimonoseki City University represents another step in the development of ŠAVŠ’s international partnerships, opening up new opportunities for students and academic staff to gain international experience, engage in research, and share expertise.