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After he graduates, He will inspect solar panels. That is the vision of Viktor Kliment, who is currently in his first year of a master’s program at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FEL) at the University of West Bohemia (UWB). He specializes in Materials and Technologies for Electronics. Next year, you might not only see his face at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering but also on posters all across southwestern Bohemia. Why did he choose UWB? And why FEL?

• What surprised you more on your first day at university—the difficulty of the subjects or the price of lunch in the cafeteria?
  I was surprised by the facilities and resources here. There’s a gym, parking, and study spaces. Right now, for example, we’re in one of the two Makerspaces. The one upstairs is an electronics workshop with 3D printers, while the one downstairs is a heavy workshop with grinders and tools. Here, we can refine our products and projects to perfection, playing around with design. And when it comes to food, there’s always something to choose from in the cafeteria – there’s always a Thai dish or a pizza option.
  
  
• If you had to describe your field as a movie genre, would it be a thriller, comedy, or sci-fi?
  Have you seen Party Hard? Or the new Na Plech movie? Definitely a comedy – that’s exactly what it’s like. We work hard, we struggle, sometimes it feels like it’s swallowing us whole, but in the end, success catches up with us. You just have to push through. I always say that if I want to graduate, I will.
  
  
• What's your best survival trick for exam season?
  Planning is key—but honestly, it doesn’t work that well for me. So I just take one exam at a time. It’s better to focus on one subject before moving on to the next, instead of trying to do everything at once. And taking exams as early as possible helps too. If a professor assigns coursework, it’s best to get it done within a month – otherwise, it’ll catch up with you.
  
  
• What was your biggest "I see" moment during your studies? Is there something you wish you had known in your first year?
  I wish I had known that we only get five chances to sign up for an exam. If I withdraw from two scheduled exam dates, the system will only allow me three more attempts – and those are the only chances I get to pass. I just found this out recently. So yeah, reading the academic regulations is a good idea. And definitely consider Erasmus.
  
  
• If you could give your first-year self one piece of advice, what would it be?
  Everything will work out in the end – you just have to stick with it. If you fail math, don’t give up. You’ll pass it on another attempt.
  
  
• Imagine you have 30 seconds to convince a prospective student to choose your faculty. What would your "ad" sound like?
  It’s a great place – the building, the campus, the attitude of the teachers. Elsewhere, you’re just a number in the system. You have to complete a set amount of work, and then they give you something in return. Here, it’s more personal. The professors want to know you, and you get to know them. If you have a project and don’t know how to proceed, they’ll help or connect you with someone who can. But that doesn’t mean they’re soft. One time, I submitted a half-baked assignment, and my professor sent it right back. A week later, I turned in the same thing just to see if he was actually reading it. Let’s just say, I got an earful. But instead of giving up on me, he gave me feedback on how to improve. And I really did improve.
  
  
• What’s the biggest myth about university studies that you’d like to debunk?
  No one forces you to study. It’s entirely up to you whether you want to do it or not. But it won’t happen by itself.

• If you could add one completely random subject to your study programme, what would it be and why?
  Public speaking, for sure. Even if it meant going to senior homes and giving presentations. You need to learn how to sell your work, and at first, that was really hard for me.

• If you could have coffee with one scientist and ask them anything, who would it be and why?
  Definitely our professor, Mr. Bednář. Not just because of his research, but because of what he’s done for students. He and his colleague Zdeněk Frank set up the Makerspaces we’re sitting in right now. We appreciate what he’s done for our school.
  
  

Studying during the day or late-night cramming?
Daytime studying—and definitely attending lectures. Just hearing things once helps them stick.

Cafeteria or instant noodles?
Depends on the day and my mood. When a lady from Thailand cooks and the chef makes pizza, it's a cafeteria.

Front row in a lecture or in the back by the power outlet?
Back row by the outlet – with a power strip and an extension cord.

Group projects or doing everything solo?
Probably working alone.

Oral or written exams?
Definitely written – I need time to think.

Early exam or last-minute?
Early exams. But in reality? You have to try everything.

Did Viktor’s story inspire you? You can apply to the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at UWB until April 15. The faculty offers one bachelor’s degree program where you’ll learn the basics, followed by five specialized master’s programs (Ing.) to deepen your expertise. Don’t wait – start your application here.