Introducing doc. Ing. Pavel Kordík, Ph.D., Vice Dean for Cooperation with Industry, FIT CTU
Pavel Kordík is an innovator whose work focuses on connecting academia with industry and innovation in artificial intelligence. Kordík manages a department at CTU Faculty of Information Technology that supports collaboration with businesses and introduces innovations into companies.
"My work is not only about connecting," explains Kordík. "I try to make sure that our students don't leave school without practical experience and that companies get innovation directly from campus."
His team's most recent achievements include winning two major European projects. The first project focuses on the development of advanced algorithms for modelling complex systems (e.g. weather). CTU will lead a consortium of twenty partners, including many interesting companies from across the EU. The second project, with sixteen partners from the Danube region, is dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship among students and young scientists, with an emphasis on turning research results into commercially viable products.
"One project is focused on research and the other on transfer," he says proudly. Kordík admits that his strongest managerial quality is his ability to shape visions. "I have a vision that I can share and inspire with those around me. At the same time, I can find the right people to implement those visions."For him, the pandemic meant more time for family and creative work, but also an increase in online meetings. "It was a challenge, but also an opportunity for new ways of working," he reflects on this time. When asked about motivation, he replies: "I motivate myself and others with a shared joy of achievement and a vision of how our work can improve the world."
Kordík is also actively involved in several startups (Recombee, experts.ai) and non-profit initiatives (prg.ai, aidetem.cz), which he considers an important part of his work. "I try to promote innovation not only in the academy, but also in practice," he says.
When it comes to conflict resolution, Kordík prefers to prevent problems and proactively resolve them when necessary. "It's important to keep a good team spirit and open communication," he explains.
In his spare time, he devotes himself to family and sports, which are sources of important energy and necessary balance for him.
While Kordík values technology and innovation, he stresses the importance of people and collaboration. "Technology moves us forward, but we make real progress together," he concludes.
Introducing Ing. Jiří Chludil, head of the Network Multimedia Laboratory and co-founder of the computer graphics specialization at the CTU Faculty of Information Technology
Jiří Chludil's work has had a visible impact in both the academic and commercial sectors.
"My job is all about passing on experience and enthusiasm to students," says Chludil. "I'm interested in projects that are applicable in everyday life and can be combined with my current work for the Czech healthcare sector."
One of his main recent achievements is the completion of part of the project "The Dowry Cities of the Czech Queens", some of whose outputs were presented at the Museum of East Bohemia in Hradec Králové. The project included the creation of a virtual reality application that reconstructed the history of some of the buildings in Hradec Králové.
"It was a unique project that allowed the public and primary school students to understand the history of the town in greater depth," he adds.
Jiří Chludil focuses on motivating students and colleagues to work on complex projects. "When I motivate students to tackle challenging projects and they succeed, I feel very happy," he says.
He primarily teaches students computer graphics, which he says is a specific discipline that is both challenging and beautiful at the same time. When he manages to motivate students to try to solve a project that seems too complex, unrealistic, etc., and they then find that it can be solved using the right techniques and procedures, his task is accomplished and he is very happy about it.
During the pandemic, Jiří Chludil faced deteriorating health and loss of motivation in his teaching career. This situation led him to move into the commercial sphere, which he considers to be the right decision. "The combination of academic and commercial work turned out to be ideal," he says.
In the area of management skills, Jiří Chludil prefers an approach where he tries to prevent conflicts and act as a mediator. "My goal is for everyone to do what fulfils them most and where they can demonstrate their knowledge and skills," he explains his approach to conflict resolution.
In addition to academic and research work, Jiří Chludil is also involved in the analysis and design of information systems for the administration of education in health care and other innovative projects. He emphasizes the importance of working on projects that are not only interesting but also have practical applications.
In his personal life, Jiří Chludil draws energy from his family and hobbies such as reading science fiction and fantasy literature. This way of relaxing helps him to manage stress and recharge for his work.
Jiří Chludil and his personal and professional life are an example of how it is possible to connect the academic world with practical and commercial applications and how important motivation and enthusiasm for work is. His approach to leadership, innovation and teaching are an inspiration to his students and colleagues in the commercial sphere.