Professor Jan Banout, Vice-Rector for Strategy and Technology Transfer at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, took part in the international symposium Learning from Global Examples – University-Centered Community Development, held in the Japanese city of Shimonoseki to mark the 70th anniversary of Shimonoseki City University.
The symposium provided a platform for sharing experiences on the role of universities in regional development, strengthening cooperation among academia, the public sector, and local communities, and discussing the effective transfer of knowledge into practice. The participation of a CZU representative confirmed the importance of the university’s international cooperation and contributed to the further development of relations with partner institutions in Japan.
In his presentation, Professor Banout introduced CZU projects and activities focused on technology transfer, support for innovation, and connecting the university with the private sector. The lecture also included a presentation on university spin-off companies, which are established from research results and contribute to practical applications.
Japanese Inspiration for Development
The symposium also featured several other inspiring contributions. “What interested me most was the role of the university as an active partner in the development of the city and region. A very strong message throughout the event was that a university should not only be a place of education and research, but also an institution capable of connecting various stakeholders, bringing innovations into practice, and responding to the specific needs of society,” said Jan Banout.
According to him, Japanese universities demonstrate how universities can serve as a natural center for regional development and the local community.
“For CZU, the emphasis on long-term partnerships, the practical connection of research with societal needs, and the ability to involve academic institutions in addressing specific regional challenges are particularly inspiring. In areas such as sustainability, innovation, technology transfer, and community engagement, I see several impulses that may also be beneficial for the further development of CZU,” he added.
According to Professor Banout, the experience gained during the visit abroad confirms that a modern university is built not only on high-quality education and research, but also on active cooperation with partners, regions, and public administration.
