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Rectors, vice-rectors, and staff from the international departments of Czech universities have set off on a tour across Asia. In Taiwan and the Japanese city of Osaka, they are showcasing a broad range of academic fields—from technical and natural sciences to medicine, social sciences, humanities, and the arts. For the universities, it’s a rare opportunity to meet Asian partners face-to-face, build on existing projects, and open up new avenues of cooperation.

The University of West Bohemia in Pilsen (UWB) is strengthening relationships in Taiwan that were initiated two years ago. “We’re meeting with universities we’ve already partnered with, as well as with new institutions. Our main focus is on student exchanges and research collaboration,” summarized Rector Miroslav Lávička. “A major topic is semiconductors—an area in which Taiwan is a global leader,” he added. UWB is part of a national consortium with the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU) and Brno University of Technology (BUT), and the Pilsen Region is also a member of the European Semiconductor Alliance.

However, the centerpiece of this Asian journey is participation in the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, where UWB is presenting itself on two fronts: as a university with strong research capabilities and as an institution leaving a distinct mark in the realms of art and innovation. On Thursday, July 24, the rector took part in the Czech National Day at the Expo. The main event of the Czech presence was also attended by the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel. The following day, Friday, was dedicated to EDU Day—a day focused on Czech universities, their research, startups, and spin-offs. UWB is visibly represented at this event and throughout the EXPO.

The Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art brought the award-winning comic Hikobae to Osaka, inspired by Japanese history and culture. The UWB spin-off company Pinflow Energy Storage, born from university research, is presenting its flow battery cell. The presentation also features the logo of the university's NTC research center. Later this autumn, as part of the Pilsen Region’s Expo program, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering will showcase its patented 3D-printed tool called Kraken.

In building partnerships with Asian institutions, UWB also benefits from the long-standing relationship between the city of Pilsen and the Japanese city of Takasaki. Thanks to this, several major Japanese companies—such as Panasonic, Daiho, and Daikin—are active in the region and participate in joint research and technology projects with university departments. Since 2017, Pilsner Urquell has also been owned by the Japanese brewing group Asahi.

“Japan and Taiwan are important partners for us—both technologically and culturally. We’re bringing back a number of concrete ideas and proposals for cooperation in research, student exchanges, and joint projects. We've gained valuable contacts and inspiration for further developing our presence in the Asian region. It was an honor to represent our university and showcase the diversity of its work. I deeply appreciate the excellent organization of this mission and would like to thank the Czech National Agency for International Education and Research for their thorough preparation and coordination,” concluded Rector Miroslav Lávička.