The Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (FTZ CZU Prague) has published its Annual Report for 2025, presenting an overview of key achievements, developments, and strategic milestones.
As highlighted in the Dean’s introduction by Associate Professor Hynek Roubík, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences, 2025 was above all a year of momentum — a period in which the faculty strengthened its direction, ambition, and confidence.
“We are not observers of global challenges. We are active contributors to solutions,” he states, setting the tone for the entire report.
Addressing Global Challenges
Climate change, biodiversity loss, pressure on food systems, and growing inequalities are among the defining challenges of our time. FTZ continues to respond to these issues by connecting science, practice, and international cooperation across continents, with a strong focus on tropical and subtropical regions.
Research: Strengthening Excellence and Visibility
In research, the faculty further increased its international visibility and competitiveness, maintaining a high level of publication output per academic staff member.
FTZ teams have successfully contributed to major international projects, expanded interdisciplinary collaboration, and strengthened research capacity through the introduction of new postdoctoral positions. Significant investments were also made in laboratory modernisation.
Education: Innovation and Future-Oriented Learning
In education, the faculty continued to modernise its curricula to better reflect global challenges and labour market needs. Special emphasis was placed on strengthening doctoral studies and supporting early-career researchers.
Strategic Development and Institutional Changes
The year 2025 also marked important institutional developments. The restructuring and renaming of two departments — the Department of Wildlife and Animal Sciences and the Department of Food and BioResource Technology — reflect the faculty’s ambition to build strong, focused academic units.
Further progress includes the strengthening of the FTZ Botanical Garden and the Common Eland and Guanaco Research Facility, both of which have been newly recognised as official Czech eco-centres.
The faculty also significantly expanded its cooperation with primary and secondary schools, bringing topics such as sustainability, agriculture, and environmental protection closer to younger generations. At the same time, the University of the Third Age at FTZ continued to grow, offering educational opportunities to the wider public and strengthening the faculty’s societal role.
Internationalisation as a Core Pillar
FTZ continues to expand its partnerships across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, actively participates in EU initiatives, and reinforces its role as a bridge between European research and tropical regions.
Culture, Values, and Shared Vision
Beyond measurable results, the faculty is actively shaping its internal culture — fostering an environment based on creativity, responsibility, openness, and collaboration.
These values are reflected in the faculty’s new motto:
“Leading Excellence in Tropical AgriSciences”
Looking Ahead
As Associate Professor Hynek Roubík, Ph.D., concludes in his introduction, these achievements are the result of the collective effort of staff, students, and partners.
As FTZ moves forward, it enters a new phase defined by ambition, responsibility, and growing global relevance — continuing its mission to contribute to sustainable development through science, education, and innovation.