Brno is the heart of science and research. The development of technology and education also drives BUT
The main topics of this year’s data report on the innovation ecosystem of the South Moravian Region, which maps the research and technological progress of the region, include chips, electron microscopy, and space technologies. All of these areas are being developed not only in the private sector but also at Brno University of Technology, significantly contributing to the region’s expansion and increasing its innovation potential.
Brno excels in chip design and the development of electronic design automation tools and is part of the global semiconductor value chain. A key element for future growth in this field is the new Czech Semiconductor Center, whose preparation was coordinated by BUT, which will also temporarily host the center. It was established through the collaboration of BUT, CTU, the South Moravian Innovation Center, the Czech National Semiconductor Cluster, and companies onsemi and Codasip. The goal is to connect academia with industry, support technology transfer, and enable small and start-up companies to participate in chip development.
The mentioned companies onsemi and Codasip, along with NXP Semiconductors, are among the largest in the South Moravian Region that design and test chips. This also creates a demand for skilled professionals in the field – currently in short supply. To address this, BUT launched a new degree program in Chip Design and Modern Semiconductor Technologies last September, educating future semiconductor experts in cooperation with industry partners.
Every third electron microscope comes from Brno
As in previous years, electron microscopy is part of the data report. Brno continues to establish itself as a world center in this field. Thanks to three companies – Thermo Fisher Scientific, TESCAN, and Delong Instruments – approximately one-third of the world's electron microscopes are produced in Brno. Academia and research institutions also significantly contribute to the field’s development, notably the Czech Academy of Sciences, BUT, Masaryk University, and the CEITEC research center affiliated with both universities.
Electron microscopes are also essential tools for chip inspection during manufacturing, linking the two fields and highlighting their importance in the South Moravian Region.
Space industry on the rise
Space technologies are also thriving in South Moravia. Similar to the semiconductor sector, BUT is preparing skilled graduates for the aerospace industry through several study programs. Students can choose from programs like Aircraft and Spacecraft Technology, Aerospace Technology, Professional Pilot, or Space Applications. Due to increasing interest in space technologies, the latter has doubled its capacity this year.
Businesses in the space sector are part of the Brno Space Cluster, a platform focused on promoting the space industry and education, and facilitating project collaboration and international contracts. Currently, South Moravian space entities are working on around twenty projects or space missions. BUT representatives are also involved in some of them, including the scientific mission HERA focused on planetary defense and testing structural and flight models of the Rose-L structure at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. The student team YSpace is developing a satellite for the CIMER mission, aimed at studying cells in space.
Brno leads the gaming market
The community of game developers is also growing in the South Moravian Region. According to the data report, the quality of Brno-developed games is high, with notable titles including the Mafia and Arma series, and games like Machinarium, Botanicula, and Farming Simulator 2022.
BUT is also involved in game development, where art blends with modern technologies and creative ideas, through the Game Media Studio at the Faculty of Fine Arts. This studio covers both digital and traditional board and card games and has been organizing the student game creation festival Lektvar in Brno for the past two years.
Students are the heart of Brno
Brno is a major university city and the main center of technical education in the Czech Republic, with Brno University of Technology playing a crucial role. Most students in the South Moravian Region study in the fields of engineering, manufacturing, and construction. There is also strong interest in computer science and communication technologies. This trend follows a long tradition of technical education in the region and reflects the robust local engineering and manufacturing sectors.
The report also shows that one-third of all technical students in the Czech Republic study in Brno. This academic potential is reflected in the labor market, with approximately 70,000 people working in information technology and other scientific and technical fields in the region. Brno thus confirms its position as a technological and innovation hub of the Czech Republic.
The #brnoregion 2025 data report is available here.
| Author | Mgr. Lenka Hubáčková |
|---|---|
| Published | |
| Link | https://www.vut.cz/en/but/f19528/d290848 |