The Faculty of Architecture has prepared a new bachelor programme in Industrial Design, which supplements the existing programmes in architecture and in urban planning. A follow-up programme at MSc level is now under preparation. The goal is to educate universally equipped designers of machines, instrumentation, commercial products, building and interior elements, etc. Such experts, who will be able to cooperate with constructors and technologists, are urgently needed.

The Faculty of Biomedical Engineering has obtained accreditation for a new bachelor programme in Optics and Optometry. Graduates will have good theoretical knowledge and practical skills not only in optics and optometry, but also in ophthalmology. They will be able to work in medical laboratories and clinics and to communicate with physicians. Some other branches of study (Crisis Preparedness, Medical Rescue, Information Sciences in Medicine, Nanotechnologies in Biology and Medicine) are under preparation, as well as the follow-up master courses.

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering has been completely restructuring its study programmes, and will offer six bachelor and six master programmes, instead of the two programmes offered in recent years. These are programmes on Electrical Technologies, Power Engineering and Management, Communications, Multimedia and Electronics, Cybernetics and Robotics, Open Information Sciences, Electrical Technologies and Information Sciences, all at both Bc and MSc levels, and a bachelor programme in Software Technologies and Management. The sixth master programme is very specific, as it deals with Intelligent Buildings. It has been prepared and will be operated in conjunction with the Faculty of Civil Engineering and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.

The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering is preparing a new study branch in Nuclear Power Facilities, which will be operated in collaboration with the Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering. This programme is in reaction to the revival of interest in nuclear power, and increasing awareness that this is the only way to provide for the power needs of mankind in the near future (which seems to be understood even by some Greens), and to minimize the dependence of Europe on Russian gas and oil (which is currently an essential source especially but not only for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe).

There has also naturally been a reaction at the Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering to new developments in the nuclear world. The final decision to build ITER (the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) was one of the motivations for the new branch of study in Physics and Technology of Nuclear Fusion. The existing Czech Atomic Act highlighted the need to introduce a programme in Radiological Physics for Medical Workplaces, dealing with ionising radiation for diagnostics and therapy. A European programme on radiation protection is being prepared in collaboration with the Joseph Fourier University Grenoble (France), North Highland College, Thurso (Scotland, U.K.) and the National Institute of Nuclear Sciences and Technologies, Grenoble (France).

The Faculty of Transportation Sciences has prepared two new programmes, in Intelligent Transport Systems and in Safety of Systems and Networks. The first of these programmes deals with transport and vehicle control systems, with the aim of improving the capacity, safety and comfort of transportation. The other is concerned with safety engineering, and deals with the safety of large technological systems and networks, the collapse of which could impact large areas of the country.

Last but not least, the Faculty of Civil Engineering is setting up two new branches, Preparation, Realisation and Operation of Building Structures, and Management in Civil Engineering. Both programmes are oriented to problems of construction project management, human resources, risk management, quality assessment, etc. Graduates will be able to work in the private sector or for state, regional and local authorities dealing with civil engineering.

Based on an article in Prazska Technika.