Representatives of the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Brno University of Technology (FCE BUT) visited LUT University in Finland from 24–26 June 2026 to discuss specific opportunities for cooperation in education, research, and student mobility. The visit focused on a new civil engineering study programme that LUT University plans to develop in Lahti.

The Faculty of Civil Engineering at BUT was represented by Vice-Dean Zdeněk Dufek, Head of the Institute of Building Services Aleš Rubina, and Ph.D. student Radek Salajka. Participants from LUT University included Dean of the School of Energy Systems Olli Pyrhönen, Director Kirsi Taivalantti, and experts in building services engineering, steel structures, building energy systems, and materials and composites research.

Sharing expertise and creating new internship opportunities

One of the main topics of the visit was establishing conditions for future student internships for Faculty of Civil Engineering students. Discussions focused particularly on building services engineering and construction materials, areas where significant synergies between the two institutions are emerging, both in terms of academic expertise and research and laboratory facilities.

Representatives from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at BUT also shared their experience with civil engineering education and curriculum development. This academic year, the Brno faculty transitioned from a four-year to a three-year bachelor’s programme, providing valuable insights for LUT University as it prepares its own new civil engineering programme.

A substantial part of the discussions also focused on the possibility of establishing double-degree doctoral programmes. This form of cooperation could create new opportunities for PhD students, strengthen the international dimension of doctoral education, and support joint research activities between the two universities.

International cooperation benefiting both the faculty and its students

Concrete opportunities for cooperation also began to emerge in the field of building services engineering. Aleš Rubina held discussions with colleagues from LUT University, including Professor Kim Hagström, on potential research collaboration focused, among other topics, on ventilation systems for hospital operating theatres. The topic offers significant application potential and creates opportunities to connect research activities with practical implementation while involving doctoral students.

The programme also included tours of university campuses in Lappeenranta and Lahti, as well as visits to laboratory facilities. The discussions demonstrated that the planned cooperation could lead to highly practical outcomes – from student mobility and joint teaching activities to collaborative research projects.

"We are pleased that, once the new study programme at LUT University is launched, our students will likely gain another attractive opportunity for studying abroad through the Erasmus programme. Finland is an exceptionally interesting country for technical education, and we see many specific areas where our expertise aligns with that of LUT University," said Vice-Dean Zdeněk Dufek.

The visit also highlighted the tangible benefits of the EULiST European university alliance, of which both institutions are members. Thanks to existing contacts and the shared alliance framework, it was possible to move quickly from general discussions to concrete steps involving student mobility, doctoral cooperation, research topics, and the exchange of experience in curriculum development.

The cooperation with LUT University is another example of how participation in an international university alliance can deliver tangible benefits for students, academic staff, and the further development of the faculty.