The founder of Czech Technical University was Christian Joseph Willenberg (1655-1731), a native of Silesia who received his mathematical and technical knowledge through service in the French army. When he left France he settled in Prague and in January 1705 petitioned Emperor Leopold I, requesting permission to teach engineering sciences. However, not until Emperor Charles VI, the grandson of Leopold I, was the Institute of Engineering Education established in 1717. The beginnings were modest. Willenberg began teaching in his private flat for only 12 students.

In 1806, following a proposal made by F.J. Gerstner, the Institute of Engineering Education was transformed into Prague Polytechnic, following the model of l'Ecole Polytechnique de Paris. At that time Prague Polytechnic was the only school of higher technical education in the Austrian monarchy. F.J. Gerstner was interested in the theory of waves, studying the shapes of waves on water surfaces. He also took an interest in metallurgy and in the improvement of waterwheels as a cheap source of energy for industry, which was developing at that time. He suggested the construction of the first horse-drawn railway on the European continent from Ceske Budejovice to Linz. He completed this project in 1828 with the assistance of his son, also a teacher at the Polytechnic. Many other people famous for their work in the sciences worked and taught at Prague Polytechnic. The most outstanding was Christian Doppler, professor of mathematics and practical geometry from 1837 to 1847.

In 1863 Prague Polytechnic was transformed into a technical university with studies in four specializations: mechanical engineering, chemistry, civil engineering, and architecture. In 1920, after the disintegration of the Austro?Hungarian Empire, the name of the school was changed to the Czech Technical University in Prague. In 1921, academician F. Klokner founded the research and testing institute for materials and structures, the first of its kind in Central Europe.
Czech Technical University in Prague is one of the oldest technical universities in the world and the most important technical university in the Czech Republic. At present it has about 15,000 students. With 1300 academic staff members, it conducts research in all the basic disciplines taught at the university: mathematics, physics, computer science, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, nuclear and physical engineering, architecture, transportation science, and in many interdisciplinary areas as well. It is the most successful Czech university in the number of approved research projects per member of academic staff, having been awarded grants from the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic and also from other Czech and foreign foundations.

The emphasis in all the educational and research activities conducted at CTU is on international co-operation. CTU has entered into written agreements with more than 60 universities in Europe, the USA and other countries for the specific purpose of promoting cooperation in education and research. More information on the programs offered at Czech Technical University can be found at http://www.cvut.cz/en/.

For UNO deadlines and application information, click here

Note: Knowledge of Czech is not required.

Academic Calendar:

The academic year comprises two semesters each consisting of 14 weeks of courses followed by a four-week examination period. The beginning of the academic year is usually at the end of September and the summer semester usually starts in February.

 

Housing & Food:

UNO's agreement with Czech Technical University includes a housing/meal exchange. UNO students pay the current fees for ousing at Bienville Hall, including the $800 meal credit. This entitles them to a shared room in a dorm at Czech Tech and meals in the student cafeteria.

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